A letter from a father to his little son

Dear Pranav,
It's been 20 months since you set foot in the world. When I held you for the first time in my arms at the hospital, your tiny hands

Your clenched fist reminded me of a science lesson that said to get an idea about the size of your heart, you should clench your fist. I could imagine the little heart throbbing inside you. The eternal miracle of birth. When it was my turn to witness it, I cried.

Before I married your mother, I used to debate one question endlessly with my friend. Which is, "Is it really worth bringing another life into this world?" Especially when terror has become an ugly leitmotif in the canvas of our lives?

When I switched on the TV that Wednesday night, the question of whether I was right in bringing you into this world haunted me again.

This is my attempt at an answer. Call it catharsis.

I feel there are two ways to raise you. One is to wean you on cynicism. Where you'll erect a sky-high wall in your mind and live your life pouring scorn on everything you see. Which is one way of insulating yourself from fear... A kind of indifferent machismo.

The other way is to prepare you to live in this world. I can't imagine the world for you, son. But i can certainly show you the way to live in an uncertain world. Make a pact with yourself. Understand the following early on.

Life is precious. And equally fragile. So every day is a gift. Get up early once in a while just to watch the sun rise. Stare at it intently and burn it in your memory. Be aware of every passing second. Look around you. There's a thin stalk of plant finding its place under the sun in a crevice on the wall of our apartment.

Appreciate mother's cooking. Praise it to heavens... Make it a habit to eat together as a family. No, make it a rule. Fall in love with books. Words will transport you to worlds far away. It will also keep you informed and prepared.

Follow your heart. The mind can waver but the heart seldom does. Respect your conscience. It's like a post-it note from God.

When you grow up, seek a job you love. As you enter the world of careers and cocktails, you'll get sucked into a vortex called rat race. Don't be overwhelmed. We're all human. But have the courage to step out of it. Nothing will be lost. Some illusions will shatter. Good riddance.

Money. It's important. But it has its place. Don't make the mistake of putting it right on top.

Find your love. Hold it dearly. Be a good husband. A patient father. Give your children space to make their mistakes. But hold them when they fall.

Speak up when you have to. Like this occasion. Whether we like it or not, we're living in a democracy. Sure it has its pitfalls. But don't forget the positives too. The real fight in a democracy is between remembering and forgetting. Go and vote. It's your chance to give shape to the kind of society you want to live in.

Be alert. But try not to live in a state of fear.

It you were to get caught in a situation similar to what happened and should we lose you, then you will have left us with enough lovely memories for the remaining years. That will only happen if you start living every day like it is the last day of your life. Though it can never compensate your loss, at least we'll find strength in your love for life.

Don't have regrets. They defeat the very purpose of life.

Immersed as I am in work most of the time, this letter is also a wake-up call for me.

Love, Dad


PS: Content has been created by RAJESH MANI (TOI)

Listen Plzz !!

It's Human that we talk and try to make others listen more than what we want our self to listen.But many a times we get a understandable reaction and change our moves to listen.

Now think of the situation where we are not able to judge the reaction. And this happens when we talk to GOD.How many times in day we talk to God about our dreams, our aspirations. Some time in front of Worship place, some times in Mind , some times walking and all the time we expect him to listen and act. Consider this - how many times have we waited for his reply , how many times have we listened to him, Lot more lesser or none in comparison to what we have been telling him.

But God do react with the action in our life, some times which is inline with our plan and sometimes which is out of line.But we forget to consider what his plan is..For us.. for our aspirations.. Just sit down once and think how many times have you achieved what you wanted but by different means..

Lot of people tell me that i am optimist ..thats the reason why i debate that got give it in his own way. But i am firm believer that GOD does react.

Just listen to him, listen to his plans, listen to his considerations.. When ever we ask somebody a help or support we agree to his demands and conditions , but when we ask GOD we forget that just because he created us!!! Is it sensible to do so..Nopes

The primary reason behind this is that GOD is not demanding, he never asks you to visit temple regularly, He never asks you to Do nimaz regularly or visit Church!!
I think once god also starts demanding we will understand his way or working .. but there also is issue.

issue is that we humans have tendency to expect results if we do something..that's why i think GOD has not demanded anything for us.

Lot of times i think there should be a introspection among the Intelligentsia across world , across religions to design a model which makes GOD and Humans libel for there acts !!

So Act smart and Plzz Listen !!