Childhood Long Lost

A few months back, I happened to watch the latest advertisement of MTS 3G Plus, wherein, the newborn baby knows how to access the internet as soon as it is born and quickly uploads its picture on social networking websites, leaving everyone around perplexed. The ad is brilliantly made though quite hypothetical. Although the ad tickled my funny bone, one question certainly crossed my mind. Are today’s children growing up too fast? A report which I read a few years back stated that according to half of the British parents, childhood ends at 11. I was shocked to read that. How can childhood, the most precious phase of our lives, end at a tender age of 11? I got answer to my question gradually. Technology and Media have a lot to contribute to this premature omega of childhood.

Recently my 4 year old cousin visited us. For her age, she is very quick to share a lot about her friends, school and stories which she learns at school. She asked me about my teachers, hobbies and interests, as if to develop a rapport. Usually I don’t get along very well with children, but I actually found myself interacting a lot with this little girl. She could operate my uncle’s cell phone and could click pictures too, though distorted ones. She was a true ‘selfie’ and loved looking at herself in the mirror striking various poses. She did really take me by surprise. Looking at her, I went down the memory lane thinking about my own halcyon childhood.

I consider myself fortunate, that advanced technology did not exist in India during my childhood as it is today. I remember that longing for Diwali and summer vacations to do the activities which I liked. How much I enjoyed colouring the pictures in Colouring Book or waiting to get a new box of crayons! As a child, my greatest treasures used to be my crayon boxes and toys. I was so possessive about them that I did not like anybody touching them. During vacations, like a ritual my sister and I used to play interesting games like Scrabble, or name-place-animal-thing. Though video games were available, I never enjoyed playing with them. We were inquisitive children and used to have a lot of fun using Atlas, where we used to find countries and cities in a world map. Making craft articles and drawing sketches with help of art books which were gifted on our birthdays brought so much merriment.  We bought a computer when I was 6 years old and could not learn fairly about it until I was 10 or 11. ‘Luxuries’ like mobile phones were not known to me till I reached junior college, as it was necessary during heavy rains and emergencies.

But today children can handle devices very well. I have seen children using them so efficiently that even adults might take time to get acquainted to the device. In some of the articles which I read, parents said that they kept their smart phones and Ipads away from their children so that they don’t addicted and play games on it. Some parents also said that they ensure about the content which their child watches on TV and if possible, watch the show or movie with them. According to most of them, they try to engage their children in one or the other hobby classes so that they engross themselves in some creativity. Such optimistic approach of the parents does really give a ray of hope that children do not stray away and get into activities which are not suitable for their age. But once I came across a disturbing fact that parents are forced to buy cell phones and other hi-tech devices for their children, out of the guilt that they are not able to spend much time with them. Also, if children do not have such devices, they are looked down upon in their schools by their friends. A few days back I read in Bombay Times a list of offensive, violent and pervert toys which were so-called ‘meant for children’. In other article, it said that girls as young as 3 or 4 wear provocative clothes, which may become a habit in the long run. The most shocking case was about a 13 year old British boy fathering a child. There are so many teen pregnancy cases around the globe. All these cases raise only one question: Where is the current generation headed to? What does their future look like? Technology and Media can influence these young minds a lot. So it is the parents' responsibility to check how much and to what extent children are being exposed to these pleasant looking foes. Daily dialogue and bonding between parents and children is therefore a requisite to prevent these mishaps.

When I was in school, our Principal had said on one of the occasions, “Be child-like and not childish” which meant that throughout our lives, we should be innocent and pure hearted like children and not immature. So let’s imbibe that innocence into today’s children because they are like sponges that can absorb the good or evil very quickly. Let’s make them better people who carry the same legacy to the future generations.

Languages: Connecting You and Me

In one of my blissful German classes, we were discussing the theme ‘Sprachensterben’, meaning ‘Death of languages’. The passage emphasized on how some languages are on the verge of extinction. As an example, we read that Catawba language of South Carolina region died with its last speaking person in 1996. According to David Crystal, a British linguist, “Every two weeks, a language dies”. The reason cited for the death of these languages was the failure of passing them to the younger generations, with an intention that children learn those languages which are spoken by majority of people. As per UNESCO, there are 6000 languages, out of which, almost half are endangered. The widely spoken languages in the world are Mandarin, Spanish and English. I was astonished to know that Mandarin is the most spoken language in the world and English stands on the third place.

I had never imagined that even languages could die. With the language, also dies its unique and valuable culture and literature, which is a big loss. Languages are the vehicles of communication and expressions. It is fascinating to know how the primitive man used to communicate in absence of a language. Some people think that learning Grammar is the only way to get to know a language. Such people are only partially right. No doubt, Grammar is necessary to construct a sentence correctly, but apart from grammatical knowledge, it is the words which you use to express yourself that describe the beauty of a language. Language is a concoction of thoughts, culture and lifestyle of a region or a nation.

Since childhood, I always had a proclivity towards languages. Evolution of languages truly amazes me. For me, the best part of a language is that it does not involve complex equations and scientific experiments, which I always despised as a school girl. I loved History too because of the wonderful language used in it. My mother tongue, Marathi, was the first language which I learnt and a language close to my heart. My favourite king, Shivaji Maharaj, was and will remain the greatest Maratha ruler, because of whom I always hold Marathi language in high regard. In school, it used to be a challenge to finish lengthy Marathi paper, thanks to its ‘Kaanas’ and ‘Matras’. Nevertheless I used to score good marks in Marathi and help other girls in my convent school to improve their performance in Marathi. I love speaking rather than writing Marathi. I haven’t delved much into Marathi literature, but I do make it a point to read Marathi newspapers. My friends often extol me by saying that though I have studied in a convent school, my Marathi is very pure. But I think that being well versed with your mother tongue isn’t a big achievement. I love listening to pure Hindi by means of speeches, good films and daily soaps. Like a typical Mumbaikar, my Hindi vocabulary is Lilliputian. 

I learnt Sanskrit for three years during my school, as a third language. At the beginning, my intention of choosing Sanskrit was only to score high marks, like Chatur of 3 Idiots. Gradually as I explored the language deeper, I realized its magnificence. Each word in Sanskrit is so profound! No wonder, it is the language of Gods. Stories of Ramayana and Mahabharata in Sanskrit were indeed delightful. The verses in Sanskrit, also known as ‘Subhashitas’, which were written centuries ago by great sages, teach the values which are pertinent in even in the present era. Sanskrit gifted me an opportunity to read the excerpts of valuable works by the revered dramatist, poet and writer, Kalidasa. While studying Sanskrit Grammar, I always appreciated Panini, the great Sanskrit Grammarian, who enhanced the elegance of the language. Later while learning German, I came across the fact that Max Mueller too had learnt Sanskrit and translated the Upanishads and Vedas. Such was the global admiration and obeisance for Sanskrit. Sadly today I hardly remember Sanskrit because I lost touch of it 5 years ago. But some day I would like to read Sanskrit and revivify it again in my mind. It will be a great pleasure to learn about about the good old world where values were cherished.

It was interesting to know the history and evolution of English. English is a potpourri of so many other languages like French, Scandinavian and German. However, English has deep roots in Latin and Greek. It is similar to our Devnagari languages, which have provenance from Sanskrit. When I learnt certain words in English that, when broken up, have their own unique meaning in Latin or Greek, I fell in love with the language all over again. I feel bad when the precious English words are desecrated in SMSs. I fear this quotidian habit will endanger English too, thus losing its original charm.

I have been learning German since 5 years now, yet I still consider myself an amateur. Though listening activity of German is still a Herculean task, I love writing and speaking German. There is still a lot more in German for me to dive into. I consider German as my chattel. I wish to make great strides in German and get to know the language better every day. In this way, it will be interesting to learn Germany, its people, culture and literature. 

Languages are like living creatures, which have to be nurtured like plants and animals. They, too, can die if the surroundings are not conducive for them to thrive. When you pass on a language to the next generation, it is not only the language which is bequeathed, but also the wisdom, knowledge and traditions of the ancestors. Only then can one realize the significance of the language. Who knows, if certain languages are revived, it can make prolific contribution to the world and can be a panacea to the present problems! Wouldn’t the world be a better place and greatly diverse? So give it a thought before you abandon and reckon a language to be inane and unproductive.

The Fragrance of Reading

“Reading is the sole means by which we slip, involuntarily, often helplessly, into another’s skin, another’s voice, another’s soul.”

                                                                                                     -Joyce Carol Oates

Last year, while preparing for certain dreaded management entrance tests like CAT, CMAT etc., we were asked these clichéd questions by our Verbal Ability faculty: “How many of you love to read? Which kind of books do you read?” The answers given by the students used to vary from good to worst. The students who did not take a keen interest in reading were given a few tips to improve their reading habits, which is a requisite for Reading Comprehension. It is the race against time during these exams, so higher the speed, greater the number of questions attempted and ‘probably’ high marks, thanks to the negative marking system. Reading Comprehension is indeed a hard nut to crack, because the passages deal with any random theme under the sun. Certain themes are so abstruse that they drift a voracious reader like me off to sleep. What an irony!

As a child, I never took any interest in reading, quite contrary to my sister. She used to be an ardent reader of Champak, Newshouse, Tinkle Digest, and many knowledge based books and of course, textbooks. My Mother laughs today when she recollects how worried she used to be about my lack of interest in reading. The seeds of reading were planted into my mind by my sister. And I can proudly say today that the seeds bore excellent fruits.

I entered into this fascinating world of books after my SSC exams. My sister was reading ‘Wise and Otherwise’ by Sudha Murty around that time. When she finished reading it, she suggested me to read it, promising that the language in it was not esoteric and I would love it. Since I had a lot of time, I thought I might as well spend it constructively. I began reading the book and was spellbound by each vignette in it. Sudha Murty conveys a lot through simple language. Later I read Sudha Murty’s other novels as well. Her novels emphasize on the social problems prevalent in India. They brought in front of me the deplorable side of Indian society as well as human foibles. In this way, she became my first favourite author.

Gradually I explored other eminent authors like Sidney Sheldon, Khaled Hosseini, Ashwin Sanghi, Ravi Subramanian, Gregory David Roberts, Amish Tripathi, Jean Sasson and many more. Each book taught me something. They gave me an insight into different countries, their cultures, the societies and so on. I had a virtual tour to many countries. Sidney Sheldon’s books, in which, the central characters are always women, taught me to be intrepid and fight boldly against injustice. I ventured into the dark life of Mumbai through Gregory David Robert’s ‘Shantaram’. Every page was a frisson! Jean Sasson’s books describe the lives of women in Middle East countries like Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq and Kuwait. I realized how beautiful these countries are, in their own way. Khaled Hosseini’s books on Afghanistani background do not cease to enthrall me and move me to tears. Ravi Subramanian’s books on corporate life throw light on how honesty and modesty is compromised to reach high to the ladder of success. Ashwin Sanghi’s and Amish Tripathi’s works on mythological and historical characters, moulding them in their own style to keep the readers tied to the book, is simply amazing. Like any other youngster, I too enjoy romantic comedies by Chetan Bhagat, Tushar Raheja, Ravinder Singh, Ruchita Mishra and Sudeep Nagarkar, as stress-busters.

Novels have contributed a lot to improve my personality. They give me a better view of the world. It is as though every author is communicating with me through his or her book, with their peculiar style of writing.  Sometimes I get deeply involved with the characters and empathize with some of them. I spend a lot of time at book stores to make sure that I choose the book which perfectly suits my taste, like a true connoisseur. I am drawn to a different world when I read novels. Solitude never conquers me when I am with them. I have read a lot till now, but still have a lot to read and explore. It is an insatiable thirst to absorb more of the world. They are indeed my best friends for life. 

My Predilection for Writing

When I was in school, we were always told, “Every person created by God is special. He has sent each one of us on this Earth for a specific purpose. So treat everyone with due respect.” According to me, what makes every person special and different from others, are the qualities and abilities extant within him or her. You can acquire a multitude of skills throughout your lifetime, but it is that one particular field or area where your expertise lies. Otherwise a person is simply a “Jack of all trades, but master of none.” More than the academic qualifications, it is sometimes these distinctive traits, which help you to prosper and succeed in life. Job satisfaction is high if you find the job where your true interest lies. Steve Jobs has rightly said, “You’ve got to find what you love”. Venerable personalities like Albert Einstein or Steve Jobs were not academically brilliant, but their remarkable contributions to the world are eternal in the history of mankind.

Most of the times, especially while preparing their CVs, I see people lingering while filling their ‘core competencies’ section. The academic qualifications and the marks obtained are at the tip of their tongues, but are totally oblivious about their other distinguishable und ‘untouched’ qualities. Such people usually end up writing some monotonous answers. I consider myself fortunate to have developed a penchant for writing.

To me, the interest for writing developed during my Graduation years. I was determined to do something more than just studying during these three years. My two inanimate best friends, who helped me greatly in writing, were the English dictionary and my valuable novels. I developed an affinity for the English language thanks to them. I decided to use my lexical knowledge to express my opinions better. And the right opportunity landed soon. It came in the form of my college newsletter, which used to be published by different classes every month. I thought of giving the theme a try. I believe that participation is more important than winning. Thus, I started to pen down my thoughts. It came as a sweet surprise when my article got published in that month’s issue. Something which started as a casual attempt was appreciated by many. During these three years, I tried to seize the opportunities of writing as and when they arose. My articles were appreciated by my teachers and friends every time they got published.  Besides writing articles, I also helped my friends and loved ones in improving their writing and oratory skills. Such rectifications helped me to improve my skills too. Gradually I noticed improvements in my writing and thought process. I think my Graduation years were a golden period of my life in which I realized my métier for Writing as a means to exhibit my thoughts, ideas and creativity.

There are some special people in my life, without whom my writing would not have got a boost. First would be my sister Shruti, who plays multiple roles of my best friend, philosopher, guide, advisor, critic and editor. The idea to create my own blog was her brainchild. Though she herself is brainy and academically proficient, she always gives an impulse to my creativity and talent. She encourages me to write on the issues which touch me deeply. My Mother, who is my best friend and the optimistic person I will ever know, always supports me in all my endeavours. Next are my precious jewel like cousins, Sumit, Saurabh and Aditi, who have immense faith in me and appreciate my work and talents. These five people are the protons of my life, ever charging me with positive vibes and motivating me to do better. I am also grateful to Mrs. Shalmali Jadhav for suggesting such an apt title for my blog.

Recently I read Ruskin Bond’s interview in the Times of India on being conferred the Padma Bhushan. It was great to know more about this prolific yet down to earth and believing-in-simplicity writer. Some of his statements were truly inspiring. He says, “My writing has grown older with me. It might be more cynical and tongue-in-cheek now. When I was younger it used to be more emotional and naive. The books that I wrote in my late teens and 20s, the little love stories, they were right from the heart. It's like how you have affection for your first born.”

I want my writing to grow old with me too, so that years later when I ponder at my life, I will realize how my thoughts and ideas matured with me over a period of time. In the near future, I would like to contribute to the society by teaching the less fortunate, the lingua franca, English, helping them to seek jobs and earn a better living. Developing a wide scale English literacy, I believe, will be a big step towards India’s development.