Fun At The Fair

Yesterday, after long time, we all went out together. Appa, Amma,(my in-laws) Shankar, Samhith and myself. The last time we all went out was to the circus, and this time it was to a Fair. We had been wanting to see this handloom fair,which comes every december to Bombay. They have good stuff , especially clothes, slippers, bangles, etc. at decent prices, and my son has quite a lot to keep him occupied -there are a number of rides, merry-go-rounds, etc. Last year we had returned disappointed, as Samhith was just showing an interest to ride in them, but the quality of the merry go rounds was awful Shankar was rather skeptical about going there this year, but he gave in to our demands, and finally joined us.. And I must appreciate that. He had participated in the Mumbai Marathon- the 21 Kms Half Marathon, just that morning, but he stil came, just to please Samhith…. A good Dad, isn’t he?

Well, anyway, we were in for a pleasant surprise. The rides were excellent, brand new ones, and lots of them! Samhith enoyed himself.

And this year there was a bonus…. They had made a replica of the famous Amarnath Shrine ( For those in the dark, Amarnath is a cave in the himalayas where a natural Lingam is formed of ice every year, and is a popular pilgrim spot, to which thousands of people trek every year) They had made a path apearing to be a mountain path, with small temples dotting the path, going through water along the way, and finally a cave inside which a white lingam was kept. Not very original perhaps but interesting to the multitudes of Indians who yearn to make the Amarnath yatra, but are not able to make it for various reasons. We all enjoyed it, and hope to make it to the original shrine at least once in our lifetime.

We had lots of fun, ate lots and lots of junk food  while Samhith went from one ride to another. We had anticipated spending about an hour there, but ended up spending three, and returned home close to midnight. And whats more, I have already made plans to take my sister Kanthi there when she has a day off from her busy college life.

For now, you can see the photos I took there.. For more, wait and watch !!!

A Mother’s Worries

I read an interesting blog the other day, about instilling values about money, and finance in general in kids..http://jezziemapuche.wordpress.com/2007/12/19/how-to-raise-a-financially-savvy-child/

As a mother of a four year old, I am constantly trying to instill the right values in him at an early age, and the world around us scares me all the time..

Just two days back, my cousin visited me. She is a first year medical student, and we got into an argument regarding the proposed compulsory one year rural internship. It has been apparent from the newspapers that the move has been opposed strongly by students all over India, but I was shocked when she also supported the popular view that rural training wasn’t necessary and important, as it wouldn’t bring in any money…..It all boils down to money finally… She was actually under the impression that rural service meant working in slums… No matter what I said, she wouldn’t  agree that there was a world of difference between a village and a slum. That’s when I realised that most of the youngsters today, born and brought up in metros, haven’t seen a village in their lives.. They don’t really know what the real India is like, deep in the heart of villages…That most of India doesn’t live in cities, but in the villages, is only a textbook concept to them.

Again, all that the current generation cares about is MONEY. They all want to study in a field which will get them a job as soon as possible, a job which will pay them 5 figures to begin with. As soon as they get  a job, they want to buy a car, and then a house, go abroad, and the get married. All this, before they are 25. And parents don’t seem to mind either…Of course,who listens to parents anyway !

On one hand, we have people who have given up good jobs abroad, and are working in slums and villages, trying to help people lead a better life, like some of the Times of India Lead India finalists, and on the other hand, we have a majority of the youth running after materialistic things…. We need far more of the former to actually make a difference….’

Which brings me back to my main area of concern… My child… I sincerely hope he grows up to be a good human being, trying to help other people, and I am trying my best to make him so…..

Taking a leaf from Sudha Murthy whom I admire, I make him give clothes and toys he has outgrown to our maid, who has a child of his age. It helps that I live with my in-laws, who are extremely generous by nature, and provide food, clothing , and books to  the needy year after year. It also helps that my husband and father-in-law are involved in voluntary service activities in villages near Mumbai under the aegis of the Sathya Sai Organisation….. I try my best to expose him to all these activities as much as possible, and yet,  I am worried.

Maybe I am just a mother, who worries all the time, but when I open the paper in the morning and read about rapes, suicides, and shootings by students, it worries me.. I am trying my best, and I only hope that the one up there stands by me.

I am sure there are many other mothers like me out there. I would like to hear from all of you….