The festive season requires a bit of melodrama and reminiscence in order to remember the good old days.
Life without background music is like a boring radio program, but then, the moment we add emotional toppings like “salted tears and spicy love” it becomes a typical bollywood movie.
On a recent visit to my father’s college (Indian Military Academy, IMA), he was nostalgic to show us the place where he made life long friends, learnt about camaraderie and honour.
While all that was good to learn and hear, what he probably missed out sharing with the children was the non-official version of his college days. Being the son I have a reasonable idea how he must have lived 65 years ago, I am sure it was no different than how we lived when we were in our 20s.
The larger point of debate is, how does festival season impact the mindset of older people? Do they enjoy the same as younger people or is it ‘Just another day in paradise’?
I guess the answer is a bit complicated; festival season may be a time to feel happy but then, how can parents enjoy without their children especially if the children are alive and don’t have time for their parents?
Relationships are complicated but eventually it’s the first step of calling up to say ‘Hard to say I’am sorry” which I guess is the most difficult thing to say in life.
As generations grow so does the generational gap, no wonder we now have Gen X, Y, Z, AA, AB…. but then, while on one hand parents always feel that, “I’d Do Anything for Love (but I Won’t Do That)” whereas for most children it is “Sail on Sailor “.
To summarise, this is purely an advocacy post for our own future, forget the oldies because they are learning to survive on their own, the question is, will our generation be able to survive on our own without love and happiness???
Pankaj Mehrotra
