Page 25 - Connect 2022-23

My Grandparents tea, would walk (for about 3-4 kilometers

to the milk centre) and get fresh unpacked
milk for the family. Never changed his dietary
preferences. Bhakri, Bhaji and Aamti was all
As a father of an infant girl I often ponder
that he asked for. This habit ensured that he
upon the right upbringing for her. I have
never got ill until he was 81. I loved to trouble
read a few books, consulted elders, had
him and made it a point to consume Maggi
conversations my friends (who’re also
(occasionally) when he was around. The
parents) and have given deep thoughts for
displeasure on his face and the lecture on
the right values to be passed on my young
healthy living, that followed, was a routine
one. Sanskars as they are widely called are
affair. Yet both of us didn’t change. And he
vital to how an Indian will always be judged in
advised my mother on how to discipline
the society. This is where grandparents play
me. I realized the importance of his words,
a vital role; they’re the pioneers who have
although a bit too late.
preserved the value systems and passed
I got to meet my maternal grandparents
them onto the next generation.
only once a year. And as such, they took turns
I was fortunate to have two sets of
in spoiling me. Going to the Children’s park
grandparents – the paternal ones in Pune
and stealing Laddoos was
and the maternal ones in
one of my favourite things.
Indore, MP. Each had their
However, they dissuaded me
own importance in my life.
from watching TV and forced
My paternal grandmother
me to come and greet
was one of the earliest risers
relatives whenever they
that I have ever seen. She
came home. The relatives
would wake up at 3:30 am
mostly wanted to meet my
every day and by 4:00 she
mother and not me. They
was done with her bath and
would ask typical questions
ready for the daily Pooja.
that would make any child
Although she rarely disturbed
angry. I was no exception,
me in my sleep (the concept
but could never go against
of a separate bedroom in my
my grandparent’s word. I
middle class family was still non-existent
did what I was told to do and sulked when
then), she made it a point to ensure that I was
they left. My grandfather would then say.
up and ready during important festive days.
“Someday, you’ll realize the importance
By 4:30 am she was ready with her morning
of this’. And today, as I see the younger
cup of tea for my grandfather who would
generation hooked on to their mobiles and
then be ready for his morning walk. I have
not even interested in acknowledging the
still tried to replicate these habits in my life,
people in their homes, I am inclined to say,
but with little success. Even during her final
“Yes. He was Right’.
years, this habit never changed. Although
These are just the few of the many things
I am comfortable for 6:00am, I can never
that I learnt from my grandparents. I am
even think of being up and ready before 5.
fortunate that my young one is also fortunate
I feel she was a role model when it came to
to have two sets of them. In addition, she is
daily discipline. She made me sit next to her,
blessed with one great grandmother, who
during her evening prayer and ensured that
takes good care of her even post the age of
I was well versed in traditional Hindu hymns.
90. This is a bliss that I can’t explain in words.
She became my first teacher and her stories
You need to experience it.
of Krishna, before bed, still ring in my ears.
My paternal grandfather, after his cup of
Prof. Pratik Potdar
21 2022-23