Bapu Gandhi and Baba Gandhi

The name Gandhi may seem very familiar but there is so much to 

distinguish the Bapu from the Baba.

Bapu Gandhi:

·         The pivot in the Independence Movement.

·         The architect of Non-Violence movement.

·         Simple-living and high-thinking.

·         Fast for days to get the demand for the country.

·         Turning the Charkha to make Khadi.

·         No foreign trips for pleasure sake.

·         Sacrifice in terms of sharing, giving and country’s benefit.

·         Simple loins cloth to drape self.

·         And above all no intention of grabbing power and sit as the head.

·         All the moods captured in pictures read the body language as a man without pride.

Baba Gandhi:

·         Dimple faced smile to capture certain mass.

·         A position simply cut out for him with no pain but gain.

·         Holidays on foreign soil for a change.

·         Fasting for the country – a distant dream.

·         Still not carved out a special deed or intention to be tagged with.

·         Modernity in company of friends and show simplicity in public – dubious.

·         Still a learner with no specific goals of his own.

·         What does sacrifice mean? Still has to learn.

·         Not self-made but inherited fame and name.

·         Wait for photo opportunities where the body language tells his show-off nature depicting on his face.

A Bird's Song

So much has changed with years. Each day has a story to tell. But for me I miss those days of my childhood.They are special for me and for my recollection of thoughts.

How nice were those days when I got up early and started my day with activities starting early in the household. The first thing in the morning was to pluck flowers from the trees...flowers of different colours...sprinkle some water on them and keep it in the Puja room for Ma.

Early morning bath and then drape in school uniform...clean and ironed...and rush for breakfast. Being very fussy about food I used to have what I wanted...now I know that's not good for I tell my children to eat whatever is served to them as a mother knows the best for her child.

School-days, how sweet were those days. Lots of friends, study well and get the good rank and praise from the teachers, games and sports which kept the body and mind healthy, back home with homework but no tuition teachers as we see these days. At times I sit back to think why small kids are sent for tuition. Can't the parents spend some time with the kids. I think a parents guidance at a tender age is so good for the child. The parent can also understand the child psychology in many areas.

Evenings were full of fun. Play different games with siblings and children from the neighbourhood. Even a visit to a close-by park made so much difference, and what a fun to sit on the swing and play with the breeze as the swing went up and down from this side to that.

Once dusk fell, back home and back to studies. Lots of homework to be completed or punishment awaited in the school the next morning. Who likes punishment? And then of course no television but radio to listen to music and song and hear the news with Baba. Of course gramophone also gave sweet music to the ears when records were played. No computers, no video games, no staying out late, no partying on own with friends...but still there was lot of liberty in Life. There was space to live a life, to love others in the family and so much oneness among people living around.

It was early to bed and early to rise with no fuss.

Those were the days and as I sit back I can see the change that has come about. Tall buildings with no space for gardens and open individual space. Children's lives have become mechanical. Their mindset has changed because of the environment they live in. Much freedom in their life.

But then, parents are the same. they want their children to live a good life.

Again, to emphasise, these days most of the parents have great expectations from their children. they like to build the child's life the way they want. So a child has a deceived independence.

Whatever be it, this was just a passing thought and I felt like putting them in words. Some of these thoughts may be justified and some not by the readers. Perceptions can vary, but an individual thought at times takes its shape in words like the one here.

I feel happy to remember those bygone days again.