What is childhood? Is it merely a stage of life? Or is it a state of mind? Does that mean it does not hinge on age? Only for a lucky few… maybe. Because, a majority of ‘children’ (if one may call them that), have had their childhood pick-pocketed before experiencing its joy and ebullience. Look at a 1 year old child, crying her heart out in a pre-school tear- pool for a good 2 hours everyday, month after month, and you will know what I mean. In time, the child accepts the forced shelter and shuts up. Thus, compulsions of parents result in early schooling of tiny tots meant to cradle in mothers’ lap. Paucity of neighborhood schools gives rise to pre-mature mind-bending preparations in order to qualify for primary education. That which is not meant for a tender mind to absorb becomes a pre-determined early milestone. Run before you learn to walk. And those who cannot, are sadly branded by the system and left out to feed the mushrooming trades that are out to claim their pound of flesh at the cost of the child’s self-esteem and confidence. Education is big business.

It is time to rationally think hard about nature’s program… ‘The speed of the herd is determined by its slowest.’ – And here we are, branding and lobotomizing our own flesh and blood for no fault of theirs. Recognition of innate abilities of children, in such trying conditions, seems like a distant pipedream.

I’m just a child…

Accused of being wild
Lonely though I am
Overfriendly therefore…
Emotions not mild

I’m just a child
Neighbors too old to play
Papa cannot do the trick
Hobby classes after school
When do I go wild?

I’m just a child
You correct me, correct
I correct you – incorrect
Why?
Is your adult ego shinier than mine?
Is it reason enough that
I’m just a child?

I meet my only friends in school
The joy of studying their faces, boundless!
Morning has another meaning
How do I describe?

I’m just a child
HW, CW, rough and fair
Rapid Radiant what do I care
Queasy feeling hearing bell
Little soldiers fearing hell
Bent shoulder and burdened mind

I’m just a child
Yes… I’m just a child!

In defense of children… sharing thoughts with parents… a mole frog aka amole gupte (the fellow who spotted stars on earth)

Don’t miss Amole Gupte’s new movie Hawaa Hawaai. The movie is about those who dare to dream and features Gupte’s son Partho. It will hit the theatres across the country on May 9th, 2014.