Talk to your parents about their childhood. Compare your childhood with your parents’ childhood and list the things which you long for.
Answers
Explanation:
There are number of differences. I will list few major ones.
Let’s start with eating habits.
I was born in a town and my father was born in a village.
I ate Poha, Upama for breakfast, occasionally idly, dosa and drank milk delivered by milkman with Bournvita or similar one. For food I ate chapatis, bhaji, rice and curry. Whereas my fathers breakfast used to be Rotti, bhaji and fresh cow milk. Organic Vegetables and milk from their farm. Same thing was repeated for meals with rice and curry. During festivals I used to eat different sweets but my dad ate holige (stuffed sweet paratha), sajjaka (jaggery sooji halwa) and laddus. I ate sugar items and he ate items prepared by fresh jaggery.
I travelled about 4 kms to school either walked or on bicycle. My father walked around 10–12 kms for school barefoot through fields and mango grooves.
I had books, textbooks, slate, pen, pencils and compass box. He used to carry just one slate and chalk till 7th standard. One teacher used to teach all subjects. After 7th he was introduced to pen, pencils and books.
I studied my high school staying with my parents whereas my father stayed in “math”, spiritual places (spiritual gurus who provided accommodation and food).
I studied under electric lights where as he studied with the help of kerosene lamp.
I had luxury of watching movies in theatres occasionally once or twice in a year and listen to radio.He watched only local dramas played during jatras (annual fairs) and listened to live songs sung in house and fields by the local or family members.
When I completed my 10th board my father distributed sweets (pedhas) to all his friends and relatives, I didn’t have to bother about admission to college as my father was principal of a college.When my father completed his 10th board exams my father who had interest in higher studies was worried how to go about it. Swamiji blessed him and he continued to stay with Swamiji in boarding. It was really hard time.
I played cricket, football, kabaddi. My father played local games like gidamangya (monkeys in the trees), kho kho, kabaddi, swimming in the well, lakes or river. Worked in the field along with other family members.
During rainy season I wore raincoats whereas he covered himself with jute bags( luckily there were no plastics). He could name the stars but I can identify just one, Sun.
I attended special classes, tuition and there were many to motivate me. He motivated himself. He was a self made man.
During school days, I was not good at public speaking. He was very good orator in English and Kannada.
I had comfortable childhood whereas he struggled, learnt on his own. He was very disciplined, motivated and self made person. He was the first person to graduate from his village and to complete his post graduation in physics.
I am proud of my father and his achievements.