Points to ponder

So here are some alternative ruminating aids .

The thing that comes to mind instantly is carrot. Carrots were to Karamchand, our desi detective, what the pipe was to Sherlock Holmes. Mercifully, they are easier on one8217;s purse and are now available almost all the year round. Carrots are also the perfect antidote to jaded thinking, for they are a rich source of beta carotene, the best antioxidant.

But munching carrots is not a great idea after a full meal when the urge to smoke is the strongest. So the thing that can come in handy is the toothpick. It helps concentrate and repels unwanted intruders . That it ensures dental hygiene is of course a bonus.

That brings us to the good old chewing gum, the thinking aid of all sporting personalities. Arguably it was the secret behind the strategic thinking that made Steve Waugh a great captain. Talking of cricket captains, how can one forget Sourav Ganguly? Think of him and the image that comes to mind is Maharaj sitting in the pavilion wearing a weary expression and biting, ahem, his nails 8212; a unique thinking aid if one is not so hung up on hygiene.

Twirling the end of one8217;s moustache used to be a time-tested pondering device once when handlebars were in vogue. Unfortunately, moustaches of any size are out of fashion these days. But hey, so is smoking.

Or you could take a cue from yours truly who can focus by stirring sugar in his coffee cup endlessly. It does leave the brew a tad lukewarm but it8217;s a lot healthier to measure out one8217;s life with coffee spoons like the protagonist of 8216;The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock8217;, than making short work of it with cigarette butts.