Time..

Samay my 11-year-old grandson having got bugged up playing, went to attend the online classes as per schedule. The classes went online because of lockdown. After the class he came and sat on my lap and said "Granny, there was some network issue. I fixed it up. Done with online classes for the day. You know after watching Ramayana I have understood that Hulk maybe the 400th generation of Bhima because both of them have a six-pack. Also, Captain America may be the 401st generation of Lord Vishnu because both of them have their respective 'Chakras' you see. By the way, what is social distancing?".

I smiled and said if you hear me patiently I can tell you. As I started Samay rested his head on my lap stretched out his legs and said: "Go on Granny, this is my place". I placed my rough hands on his forehead and started off. As a student, we all were focused and dedicated to how you are. But we did not have this term 'online'. All that I remember was we would fall 'inline' for the prayer as soon as the bronze bell was rung. We had not seen the machine bells that you have today. From the food that we ate to the footwear that we wore everything was countable. We faced harder punishments if homework was not done. We had to earn back our respect lost then. All small prayers that I have taught you, was taught by my grandmother. Never we were supposed to rush through the prayers or say it keeping our eyes opened. If we had to get something new for ourselves we had to work hard for the same, so that we would know the value of earning it. We did not have Alexa Ma'am or Google Ma'am to help us with difficult concepts. We had to look for books in the library, understand anything that's tough and make it simple by ourselves.

As time moves on, so should we be adaptable to changes. I completely agree with that. But it should not be at the extreme end. Everything now is easily accessible for us. May it be clothes or books. The food itself has become so very trendy. I have been seeing many recipes posted on status during the lockdown period. It’s not like they are cooking for the first time but we do know that it's just our routine. It’s also sad to see people struggling to meet up with one time meal at different places across the country.

Sometimes, I also think by upgrading ourselves we are going well, but also we are missing out on some of the most valuable things. The bond between mom, dad, and child is now on video calling. The snapshot is then being shared on social media and it's also on the status. I get confused whether the video call is made out of concern or is it to advertise on social media later. Coming to the prayer part. Why do we pray every day? It’s only a way that we seek God to make all our wishes come true. For this now no need to go to the prayer room to say the prayers. All that you need to do is open Google images or if it's a special festival you will receive over a hundred images most of them being the same, with the Prasad and you will finish your prayers on your so-called smartphones.

Actually speaking there has been distancing already without our knowledge. The distancing of attachment of the present generation with their parents. Covid-19 probably showed us practically what is social distancing. No one at home will not sit and have a meal together. The mother of the family should cook a different breakfast because all won’t have the same food. In the end, she is not asked what she ate by anyone. I can give you many more examples like this. Samay you said you did fix the network right? Remember to have a strong network with your parents too. Whatever you are today, for whatever your future would be, your parents would mould it beautifully. Love them, talk to them. If they are busy make a little time when they are free. Have the bonding with them. Mentally if there is no distancing and even if it's there practically it will not matter. My hands are rough today but I have kept my feelings soft for those whom I love. It's okay even if you don't have rough hands, don't have a rough heart. Got my point? Samay smiled and said, "Yes Granny, I should give my parents that's in my name Samay - my time".