Veenu ... Good topic. I wish you were more clear on what age groups you are talking about. The tone is mixed up with your kids and sometimes being more general. As a reader I am trying to compare to my kids but am not getting a suitable reference. Thanks for choosing a good subject.
You are responsible for this. Your kids have no choice, you have mde the choice for them. You decided to move to the US for a better grown up life for you, and in return you have sacrified the childhood of your kids. Given the same situation , if I were to give you a choice , where would you like to grow up as a kid ? India or US?
But in your greed for the green $$ you have killed your childs childhood or smaller joys. Can they enjoy the cultures of India, the festivals, the meetings with family members, the weddings, the languages, the sweets, grandmas specials etc? No! Thanks to the choices you made.
I'm sure your kids spend half their life in the backseat of your car in a car seat staring outside like zombies being dragged along to grocery stores and department stores and the other half in front of a digital media. Would you hav eliked to live a life like that?
If you have any sense of belonging or care for your child, so the right thing.
Re: You are responsible
by Desi on Oct 20, 2010 01:54 AM
So you are saying that Veenu should not have greed for green $$ ??? Don't you yourself have that greed?
Besides your grandchildren will definitely lead the life of Veenu's children. The US lifestyle is a precursor to Indian way of life in general. When all these digital gadgets become cheap and freely available to your grandchildren, how will you deal with that situation?
Re: Re: You are responsible
by Sameer Bhagwat on Oct 20, 2010 02:06 AM
I have been to the US several times, but returned everytime as I couldn't bear to see zombies as children. Many of these US born and raised kids, don't even play in the rain or dirt - very basic joys of life.
I can't predict what will happen in the future , for now the kids play cricket , soccer in pouring rain, enjoy all the festivals, travel as much as they can , have a few gadgets ( unavoidable), but the joy being in India as a child, is something that can't be compromised. When they grow up, they cna go wherever they want, atleast you won't have the guilt of robbing them of the joys of life - when you ha dthe option.
Re: Re: You are responsible
by jay b on Oct 20, 2010 02:01 AM
Do not take things for granted. In the coming times it could happen reverse as well with kids in the remaining world becoming more attracted to the things what the kids in the east are doing. You never know....
Re: You are responsible
by manish rogi on Oct 19, 2010 11:19 PM
wow....that was naive. It is true across the world. In India too!!!
In US, desi parents are quite responsible (most of them0 trylu looking only for academic excellance.. those kids miss out most of the fun growing up as a total misfits (usually). Then I have seen desi parents taking their kids all sports and other activities.... truly parents are responsible whether they are in India or not!!
Re: Re: You are responsible
by netizen netwala on Oct 20, 2010 09:06 AM
SPOT ON Sameer Bhagwat. You seem to have nailed the head on its head. But eventually you have to look for the greater good dont you? Sacrifice a bit of chidlhood ( say what 10 to 15 years) for much better old age. Given a choice the same kid would later tell you that he would have forgone some childhood to grow up in the US and be there. I am not taking a stance here but making a statement.
After a long time,I came across such an eye opening valuable article.I request rediff to publish this type of article to maintain high standard in rediff publication.Yes,One thing more,Many many thanks to writer Veenu.
Yaar. in cities.. where are the open space left for kids to play .. And if they play in complexes .. people shout.. stating they cannot sleep... finally if they play cricket in building areas.. then people will go with complains to their houses etc... Finally these people stop entire generation of physical activity...
Re: Yaar. in cities.. where are the open space left for kids to
by jay b on Oct 20, 2010 01:54 AM
US has really good facilities for sports and they have recreation centers in every area of the city which allow you to play (and learn) sports like badminton,table tennis, swimmming,basketball,....
I guess India has still to have something similar yet for kids.
A fantastic & relevant article. Youngsters these days are so caught either chatting on computers, texting on their Blackberries, busy with their playstations, etc. These may no doubt make them smarter, but also fatter and lonely. Despite living with their familiy, they are aloof, giving replies in monosylables and generally uninterested with what is happening around them. I feel this is a bad sign and unless nothing is done to stop the rapid advancement of technology, the world is going to become a lonely palce!
Re: COMPUTER AGE
by jay b on Oct 20, 2010 01:51 AM
It already is in the US and we are trying to copy paste instead of being selective . We should indianising the technological advancements and then only adapt it ....
I fully agree. The writer has also not mentioned the joy of flying kites outdoors, playing marbles, spinning a top for the really young ones; not to speak of playing football in a muddy field
Re: Tech savvy kids
by Blazer on Oct 20, 2010 02:24 AM
It all depends where you have grown up Dude. Again not everyone in India is lucky so cannot apply the same to every scenario
