Indra’s Drishtikona (Viewpoint)

It is Parent’s Role

Posted : March 24, 2006 at 7:47 am [IST]

Karan Johar recently has written, ” I met little kids, 4 and 5 year old in New York or in London who know the Gayatri Mantra or who can say path, who can recite path of the Bhagwad Gita. I don’t know any child of 5 years old in Bombay and Delhi who could do that. I met Indians who celebrate the festivals and the festivities with even more splendor and aplomb than any of us ever do (in India).”
It is not exactly that universally. It varies from parents to parents. Some believe in keeping the traditional culture alive. Some take it differently and prefer to be contemporary there too with the going-ons of the developed world. ‘Papa’, ‘Mummy’, ‘Hi’, ‘Hello’ and this time at Salt lake I found Bharati’s kids saying ‘good morning’ at all times of the day. (Bharati is my care taker. She works as a maid at few households.)

And here in my neighbourhood, I find small Keshav touching my feet again and again religiously and seeking my blessings. He has memorized ‘Hanuman Chalisa’ too. His father is a CA busy for more than 10-12 hours a day. It may be that her mother has taught that. But I find Keshav moving with a small boy who must be helping her mother to take care of his childish excesses. But his chanting of Hanuman Chalisa impressed me.

Last weeks were examination weeks in India. I used to see a lot of young boys and girls visiting and bowing to all gods and goddesses in front of the temple. All were from the reputed English medium schools. I don’t know if it was because of fear or to seek blessings. A little push from the divine power is also essential to reach the goal. I am sure this must be working as stress buster too.

However, I have one request to parents. They must use only respectful words even among the friends and family members. The ‘tum’ and ‘tu’ should be out from Hindi dictionary and vocabulary. It must be only ‘aap’. And that will make the kids learning addressing by aap. Tum is very irritating if it comes from a child’s mouth. Only parents can build a child. They must give time for the small little thing. It is for this reason only that a good school is chosen that builds character too. The parents must verify that the prospective mates of their child will also be from some good background (not necessarily from the rich family, knowing English).

- Indra

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