Life is not a formula.

Recently a friend commented, "you will never understand the feelings of a parent unless you become one." Maybe true. But, does being a biological parent truly gives a person the wisdom and capability of being an ideal parent? I have seen couples who hardly spent quality time with their kids. Sending them to a good school, arranging extracurricular activities and providing a weekend getaway, or a visit to a mall, or dining out, makes them feel they have done enough. They would rather encourage their kids to watch cartoon networks or any other kidzee channel instead of bothering them on their off-days. Growing up once again along with the kids, I feel is one of the most interesting phases of parenthood. I once read somewhere...let a child hold your hands when he wants to, otherwise when you want to hold his, he wont be there to hold yours.
I sometimes ponder, what makes us a human being? Not a biological one only. I have reached a stage in life, where, the past occupies a substantial part of my life. I have seen the different shades of life. Life can be lovely, horrible and bleak. But, the most important thing is to survive. To stand up after a fall. Life's dignity is not always maintained. But to restore that dignity once more, is one of the greatest challenges one should overcome. Very recently a friend of mine, siting an example from his own life, said, I should learn from it. Is it really possible to learn from others' lives? Circumstances are never the same. Life is different for each individual. What worked for one, might not work for another. What one has gone through, the other might not have faced ever. I strongly feel, one can look into others' lives, but, one can never emulate. Life is not a formula.
I am not a social reformer, neither am I here to give any judgements. I can only be a friend. I can share your thoughts, try to be in your shoes and feel your pains, be there when you need me, but, I can never be you!

Think over.....

A couple of days back, in a talent search programme on televison, one of the jury members, an eminent director of international repute, couldnt control his tears after watching a dance performance by physically handicapped children. One of the participants, a girl, hardly 8 yrs old, had no arms. It was apparent from her facial expressions that she was having difficulty in coordinating & maneuvering her body.........still she performed the whole act. Though she smiled outwardly, her eyes reflected the pain she was going through. What the juries felt, am sure, the viewers felt too. But our compassion is not their requirement. They just need their rights to equal participation in society. The society looses a lot if their contribution is rejected. One great example is Dr. D. Kent Cullers, Director of SETI R&D. He was born prematured, and to save his life he was immersed in pure oxygen, as a result of which, he lost his eyesight. If he was not given a chance, just imagine the immense loss the world of science would have suffered from.
The west has come up with 'freedom machines', new age technology that makes life easier for them. These technologies transform the lives of those who suffer from various disabilities and as a result are much less isolated from society. Its not that the state is always active in coming up with assistance. They, too, feel the heat of ostracism but much less than their indian counterparts. The handicapped too, have their dreams and aspirations and its the duty of the rest of the society to help fulfil them. Those of us, who are fortunate enough to have a sound mind and body, should come forward and do as little or as much as we can. In this context would like to mention one incident which I regard as nothing but a national shame. A chief minister of a state recently spent 2000 crores of public money in building parks with statues of herself, her party members and white elephants! Just imagine what vast development this money could have been used for. This is India! Should she be allowed to get away with this? Think over..........