An Empty Wrapper

A girl (7th or 8th grade) in a van outisde the school gate throws an empty wrapper of biscuit packet . Vineesh walking along with me , stops picks it up hands it over to the girl . She explains it's empty and she doesn't need it any more .

Vineesh with a smile " I think you should use the Dustbin " . A parent looked at me and smiled , her smile said the same as my smile" I am proud of u " . Yes this momemt was totally pricelles .

After this incident there were many thoughts running down my mind.

Wow he 's got the guts .

Then I was oh ! if it would have been a an elder boy and he had got offened then what? Should Vineesh take such risk and finally thought

I only hope that by the time he grows up he still holds on too these simple basic values .

After all today it's more about what peers do than what parent's teach .

God Bless

26th Jan Republic Day 2011

26th Jan Republic day begins like a regular holiday , Vineesh and I are up and there he says today is a holiday can I watch Tv in the morning please and I was like fine go ahead . Lots of songs that I could hear Meri desk ki dharti , Maa tujhe salam . I was like oh there is a celebration down there , but no enthu to go down just thought holiday hai and will chillax . Will keep it lazy and then got on Fb to check updates and there on my gmail was a blog posted by my friend

"This one's for India"

Yes, tomorrow is Republic Day

--- a country where you can light fireworks at Diwali, tuck into seviyans on Eid and and get gifts for Christmas – a triple whammy

--- a country where you, Zaheen, Jennifer and Gunraj can share tiffins at school without a thought

--- a country where mama can wear what she wants, go where she wants.

--- a country where you can say exactly what you want because everyone, yes everyone, is allowed to have their say

--- a country that that gives both of you equal freedom and equal rights

And when you grow up ours is a country that gives you the power to make it what you want. That’s a huge power and a huge responsibility. Use it well when you have it.

Tomorrow is special. It is our country’s real birthday and we shall celebrate it in style.

Meanwhile listen to this, our National Anthem. I get goose bumps and misty eyes when I hear it. I hope in time you too will learn to look beyond it’s melody and will stand up in pride and love to salute your country .

Reading this I had goose bumps and turned around and said Vineesh switch off TV lets get ready and go down and enjoy the Republic Day in our society. And then I asked him what he understood by Republic today . I was amazed when he said teacher said on this days rules were put down for country in a book .I smile and said lets go . Dressed him in a Blue kurta and myself in green and white just to have the colours of our Flag .

There was huge gathering of kids all with green , white and saffron balloons all in a row singing Desh Bhakti songs and then the flag was hoisted and there was a parade all the children marched around the whole society are and so did we . It was great and I was proud of myself for taking Vineesh down . Thanks Tulika your blog made that difference in me 2 .

The function ended up with snack distribution , since we already had eaten our breakfast I did not bother to take the snack packet and , Vineesh and food just don't go together so didn't even bother to ask him. Suddenly I find him missing asked a friend around and she says he has gone to collect the snack packet . I could not believe it . I was shocked . Finally Vineesh showing interest in food . But when he comes he hands the packet to me and says . Muma I thought it was a gift . Par isme to khana hai with a sigh :( . I was like uff . Vineesh didn't disappoint me because I had just expected this reaction . But I hope some day he disappoints me on this one .

Thanks Tulika for making my day so great :)