India, Sept. 8 -- Acknowledging my greetings, a childhood friend who's a doctor offered a tip, "Buddy, sleep determines good health and a long life." The advice took me back in time.

I, for one, belong to the species who live to sleep and so did my father, grandfather and two paternal uncles. All of us could doze off at any moment, any place and on any occasion.

Falling off to sleep during a conversation can spell trouble, especially when it's an important monologue by the better half. Such matrimonial faux pas is taken as a fait accompli by most wives. The case, however, turned out different with my paternal uncle, who married an American. Matters came frighteningly close to a divorce when the harried lady noticed her incorrigible husb...