In a quiet café corner, two friends meet regularly over coffee.
Swami arrives with the latest worry of modern life — a confusing decision, a social irritation, or a small everyday crisis. Jigneshbhai listens patiently and offers calm observations that are equal parts humour and perspective.
Jigneshbhai and Swami is a series of short, light-hearted stories about the strange, familiar chaos of everyday living. Scroll through the conversations below and enjoy their reflections on the world around us.
“When a piece of music is good, it gets a lot of claps,” Jigneshbhai said last weekend. At the cafe, the instrumental music of Ustad Zakir Hussain was being played. Swami and I were engrossed in listening to it. “When a piece of music is great, it gets silence,” Jigneshbhai added, and that struck us. … Read more
“Raichand posted a message in our group over the weekend,” Swami reported over coffee, voice tight with irritation. “Urgent meeting. Monday morning. Subject: Annual Goalsetting.” One week into the new year, and his holiday glow had vanished. “So now you must be having complete clarity about your annual goals, presumably,” Jigneshbhai said calmly, stirring his … Read more
“Have you ever been in a meeting towards the end of a project when a person who has not been to any of the preceding ones comes up with ‘small feedback’ that impacts everything?” Swami asked us the other day over coffee. Jigneshbhai flashed a smile, and I knew what was coming. “Did someone like … Read more
“Do you think AI will wipe out creativity?” Swami asked me the other day over coffee. As a writer, that was something on my mind. I had seen some of the recent AI tools and what they could do. It did feel like some of the AI might help. But it also did feel like … Read more
“When we were young, our parents always told us good things happen to good people,” Swami said, while sipping his coffee last evening. “Because you are good, you will get the job, they said,” he mused. “Or the promotion,” Jigneshbhai remarked watching Swami. “Or they will help you. Or they will buy your services.” And … Read more
“What if you find yourself in the middle of an ocean on a boat that is sure to sink?” Jigneshbhai asked me and Swami the other day. Swami was caught at that time dipping a cookie in his coffee, and it broke and sank. “What kind of arbitrary question is that?” Swami raised his eyebrows … Read more
“Once this project is over, I think the risk will reduce,” Swami said, as he sipped his coffee. “Raichand has said that next quarter onwards, things might get better and our jobs will be safe. Though one never knows,” Swami continued. Jigneshbhai munched into his muffin with a smile, while I wondered why Swami was … Read more
“My father-in-law used to be a businessman,” Swami remarked while biting into his muffin. “But that was twenty years back. He is a grandfather now. And on weekends, he is a moviegoer.” “Every few months, he becomes a traveller. He is also a devotee. And a reader. He has forgotten that he was a businessman, … Read more
“We are told be good, do good. But it’s no good to be good,” Swami said the other day over a cup of coffee. He had a fairly disappointed look on his face. Jigneshbhai and I wondered what it was about. We didn’t have to wait long to know. “I know you must be wondering … Read more