2016: A dramatic year

Shubhabrata Marmar •
Dec 30, 2016 12:44 IST

I lost my wife to illness this year. It was the single biggest event in my life since I was born. But this column marks the end of 2016 and it isn't, for me, a place of regret or sorrow. It's a year that marks my ability to hold back the tears, keep my chin up, and move forward with purpose and determination. My Arti would be proud.

But as I look back on my columns this year, I find Death very much a big player. Here are the columns that you all read most of all this year.

Every bullshit helmet argument answered - October 20, 2016

"First, until you have a helmet that you think matches the importance of your head, you shouldn't be riding. Again, this is context-free. It doesn't matter what bike you have.Â Second, if you have a smartphone you did in fact have the money to purchase a really good helmet and you chose where to spend that money."

Life lessons from the wife - July 23, 2016

"But here I am. She's not here with me. And this is my new reality. I have a profound sense of loss. Given how much she went through, more than a small measure of relief as well. That's a strange set of feelings to mix. When I prod these feelings, a memory reminds me that my Arti was far wiser and prescient than I knew."

Death and motorcycles - April 21, 2016

"That's why it's our fault. The media cherry-picks facts to suit what they think Google/readers will be tickled by. There's more. It's sad that 99 per cent of Indian big bikes owners ride pitifully often. It's all show and barely any go. I find it hard to believe that they alone are demonstrating their lack of riding skills and judgement every six minutes by smearing themselves into walls, lamp posts and other cars."

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