The Samurai of My Dream…

There was this prince that I am yet to meet. I often dreamt of him when I was a kid. He drove the most magnificent horse you would have ever seen. Eyes of a hero, smile of a samurai and a personality of any happening Bollywood star. I always thought he would walk on earth, sit beside me and we can chat for long. The image of the prince took different shapes, depending upon my mood or whatever latest was happening around me. He was Sherlock Holmes for few days, then the popular Harry Potter and sometimes the Aaron Dallas of a not so popular book I was stuck to.  I liked thinking about him, drawing pictures of him and discussing about these dreams with a good friend for sheer time pass. Then my friend would have something to share. She will express her desire to walk with Shahrukh or meet Salman over a moonlight dinner. None of these would ever happen. We knew it, but it was so much fun just talking over it. The prince of your life! In fact, you could discuss these only with your friends.

Life, in its long journey may not bring you the same prince but the moments of the day dream definitely bring in a smile to your face, isn’t it? Do kids today really get to day dream? In fact, are they innocent enough to sketch out life with a mystic figure that may not ever walk into their lives?  A teenager I know always tells me to be practical. She dates the guy next door for a while and then the dude in her class. A week later, she is bored with both of them. There is so much practicality involved in the choices she makes. She doesn’t waste her time dreaming but practically experiences the moments of growing up by taking a very westernized and risky path. There are no adolescent fevers or growing up manias. Today’s kids are quite grown up much before they turn 13. Innocence is a rare phenomenon!

While growing up in the early 90’s, the fact I realized was kids of those days grew up in a society that was surrounded by many social taboos. There was restriction in almost everything and certain rules were strictly followed. Rules that decided what can be spoken to your parents and what should essentially be shared with teachers. A society like that offered only Doordarshan (DD) for entertainment and ‘The Hindu’ for knowledge. There were plenty of outdoor and indoor games that you could look up to. Westernization was only nearing and the society was still innocent with lesser access to media and stronger reasons to stick to old values. A society with taboos definitely had its disadvantages because kids today enjoy so much freedom which we had lacked. But, the society of rules raised more disciplined kids than what we find today. There were no feather- touch ipads to loose minds too, lesser consumption of video games and most important - no bugger or pizza that spoiled our stomachs. It is our grandmother’s food that we looked up to for a change and a visit to a nearby hotel would be cherished and remembered until we visit again.

There are still strong memories of my childhood that I cherish. When I share those stories with my daughter, I re-live those moments again. But what worries me is- will I be able to give such an action packed childhood to my kid? Will she be able to enjoy running pillar to post, just for fun? Or will she demand an apple product as soon as she turns 5? Will she continue to love my mother’s cooking or will she demand for a change? I can give her books, can take her out, and even try best to keep her away from the western world for a while. But, for how long? How long can I preserve the priceless innocence that I see in her?

One day she may just raise an alarm and scream for a change. That is when I will wonder, if change is really good. Rules shouldn’t be forgotten and ‘India’ should remain the India I had known. That will do a lot of good to parents of today.

Golden Moments of Life…

Every moment of life offers something good. And, all that is good, is golden, isn’t it?

 Incidents that taught me, to see life through the magnifying glass and enjoy the little bundles of happiness that it offers…

 

Akshara

It was one of those busiest days, and I was totally irritated. When I was in college the word “Corporate” used to enchant me so much. I dreamt and longed to be a part of it. And, I have to admit that I initially enjoyed the glitter and glamour of the IT Parks, was truly inspired watching busy managers and totally impressed with the money that I took home. For very many years, I used to get automatically thrilled the moment I was paid. The money will thrill you more and more, if you had been with parents and living on a restricted income most of your life, the very minute you enter the corporate, it throws open so many wonderful avenues to learn, enjoy and spend. That is how it was for me, just like anyone. But, as years passed by, I kept asking myself, if I really enjoy it the way I used to? What do you get working so hard? And, did I sign up for such a routine, tiring job, 9 years back? I clearly knew that I’m missing out a lot being a part of it and getting sucked into this “corporate” drama. Especially on one particular Friday, I felt so drained out that I just couldn’t work. Too many tasks to handle, too many backlogs and an overflow of escalations, I wanted to log out and just run away with a strong mind to never come back. But I just dealt with it and went back home, really tired and sad. It was already 10PM and when I entered my room, I saw my daughter asleep. Then I realized what I was missing… Motherhood. I had tears in my eyes, when I looked at her peaceful face. I silently switched on the night lamp, to adjust her pillow. She woke up, looked at me for a second and said “mummy va thungu (mummy come and sleep). She moved a little and pointed at the pillow, smiled again and slept. She is just 3… She taught me the greatest lesson that day – “How much ever we work hard and get drained in the corporate world, let’s not miss out on our kids.”

Rain

It was drizzling in Chennai, one particular day, when I was at home alone. It has been ages, since I have spent time to watch the rain. I sat in one corner of my room and peeped out of the window. I saw three people walk out of their houses with different frames of mind. An old lady walked out, looked up with an irritated face to realize that she missed to bring her umbrella. She cursed as she walked back home, that it was getting late and seemed totally irritated with climatic changes. Then I saw this house owner of mine, standing at the tip of the pavement, skeptical to take the next step. He moved forward and backward but never really stepped out. He too looked up, cursed and went back home.

Then came the beauty queen of our area, stepped out without realizing that it was drizzling. She was shocked seeing the rain, cross checked if her make-up was intact and ran back home. Yes, she did look up and cursed the rain in her own words. Finally, it was the little boy across the street who works part time in the cycle shop nearby. He stepped out, clearly knowing that it was raining. He then took his cycle, screamed at the top of his voice, went round and round in that small street. He was so happy; he jumped, laughed and looked up with a SMILE. The rest of the agitated people in the road were totally irritated with the little boy as he was making a lot of noise. A few moments later, the little boy looked up and saw me peeping through the window. He smiled and said,”Akka, super it is, come down with papa. Show her the rain.” I smiled at him again and thought he was really a little hero. The hero who knew to identify the little elements of joy that life offers.