THE HOLIDAY DIARY : A ‘SKILL’ NOT TO LEARN THIS SUMMER

The academic session 2017-18 had been very eventful, frenzied and a fruitful one. From relocation, to setting up of house, settling kids into new school and finally the job hunt, which materialized by the end of the session; all was a roll a coaster ride! With the onset of summer and the most eagerly awaited vacation, we were all bent on rewarding ourselves for the year well spent and most of all to be with that member of the family who is always away, never part of any of our celebration and who is missed by one and all every minute, every second…… nevertheless, his absence is never regretted as it was for a greater cause, “Service to Nation”.

With the sky-high expectation and excitement, we reach our holiday destination. It is not Switzerland, Dubai, Singapore or any indigenous destination like the Beaches of Goa, Hills of Darjeeling or the Deserts of Rajasthan…… but the current abode of our absentee member and to the kids as we introduce the place ; “The Paradise on Earth”, Kashmir.

As I am writing this, it’s the third week of our vacation. The enthusiasm, Spirit which was at its apex, now is almost hitting the ebb. Confined to the four walls of the camp, smaller than our residential complex back home and moreover the pouring of unpleasant news every next day has dampened the holiday spirit.

To bring the situation under control and to no further spoil the youngsters’ vacation, I start planning activities and games for the boys to keep them engaged and to ascertain that they don’t get affected by the unpleasant happening in the near environs. The activities chalked out for next couple of weeks goes like this; Start the day with the school holiday homework, inculcate new hobby like photography with dad’s DSLR, develop new skill like reading /chess, whatever outdoor games that can be learned and played in the present available ground and finally the most awaited hour or two with the idiot box.

Pretty happy with what has been planned, this mother approached the boys and gives an elaborate illustration of the holiday plan. To my utter dismay the reply and response was very disheartening. With genuine concern and curiosity the elder son puts across his point, “Amma, Don’t you think the new skill which we should learn now is stone pelting and to how to save ourselves from it.” And believe me, this ‘shrapnel reply’, ‘stoned me’ into that thinker statue of renaissance for a while.

From the day we have arrived, we have been receiving news on stone pelting in different parts of Kashmir ; school bus attacked and school kid being hit, tourist being targeted and hit, local villagers being hit, security forces vehicles being hit, mob screaming and hurling of tear gas and the latest a tourist being killed and the subsequent repercussions.

In a matter of twenty days residing in midst of all this turmoil, if these young souls could get affected by these happening, what would be the state of the mindset of the young brains of Kashmir, the next generation upon whom is trusted the bright future of this beautiful paradise.

Taking a moments break, as I recover from the jolt just struck, I immediately get into the role of a responsible mother in explaining to the kids the situation, in a language they understand and explaining them that ;

“Stone pelting is not a skill to be learned if you want to be a better and responsible citizen;

Not a skill to be learned, if you want a bright and wonderful future,

Not a skill to be learned, if you want peace,

Not a skill to be learned, if you want the world to be ‘better place for you and me’

Not a skill to be learned, if you want to enjoy your vacation.”

This small article has been penned with the whole & sole intention of urging all mothers to be aware of the environs and educate your children as they get influenced fast and thoughts good / bad get etched in their tiny brains for a life time. So lets groom and mould them  in a manner that when choice is given they  undoubtedly choose the right path and paint a beautiful world as the future is theirs.

Happy Living !!!