Thursday, November 7, 2013

Tiny voices....

My elder one participated in an elocution competition in school, and the topic given to them was "My favourite Indian". He is a voracious reader like me and writes pretty well (did I tell you he writes a blog?) He is fiercely independent and does not like me helping with writing for him. Well, this is the exact version of the speech he wrote. It left me amazed and speechless and I just had to share it here. (the pictures are my addition....) So read on...

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When I think about Indians who have inspired me, a lot of names pop up. From great freedom fighters like Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru, and great sports persons like Sachin Tendulkar and Vishwanathan Anand, to great minds like, Narayan Murthy to Abdul Kalam. Each one of them have inspired me in their own special way.

But there is one person closer home who has been my biggest inspiration ever. She is my grandmother- my mom’s mother. She is the Indian I like the most. Yes, you heard it right! My grandma is my most favorite Indian. I have never seen anyone quite like her. She stands for everything a true Indian should be, Secular, Democratic and Courageous. Amongst her many qualities are her joy in giving, caring for everyone irrespective of who they are and treating everyone with utmost respect. While most people just go to school, she is educated in the true sense. Let me tell you why I admire her so much. I have learnt many valuable lessons from her.


Most people follow one religion or faith. But, have you EVER heard of anyone following all faiths. Yes, you heard it right. That’s my grandma for you. She is a born Hindu, but she also reads the Namaz and visits the Dargah, the Church and the Gurudwara with equal faith and devotion.  She is as comfortable when offering a chaddar at a dargah or lighting a candle at the church as she is when offering puja to the shivling. She says that all religions are the same, all God is one and all scriptures teach only one thing and that is to love your fellow human being. Reading and knowing about other cultures helps us to understand and respect everybody. She is truly the most secular Indian I have ever seen.

Once while travelling by a cycle rickshaw in the hot summer heat in Nagpur, we took a break to have a fruit juice. She promptly ordered one tall glass of juice for the rickshaw puller too. How many people can actually think that the rickshaw puller is human too?

When we visited her, I didn’t even realise that the aunty who was helping her clean the house was actually the maid. She never treated her like a maid. She believes in offering to people in need and makes no differentiation between people based on their financial condition.

I have never seen her behave like a dictator with anyone. She always listens to everyone’s opinion however small or elderly they may be. She never forces her opinion on anybody and we have the full freedom to do what we want to do. She firmly believes that children should not be hit by the elders. I can proudly say that no one ever hits or threatens us at home and that has made me confident and helped me believe in my abilities. I can also openly discuss anything with her and my parents.


She has immense knowledge of all subjects, especially of geography, history and maths. It is very interesting to talk to her on any subject as she is always up to date in her knowledge of current affairs. She encourages the reading habit in me and she is herself very well read.
She always encourages me to be honest and truthful, whatever the consequences may be. She says that being noble and being a good human being is more important than being rich, famous or successful. She also motivates me to work hard and put my best effort in whatever I do.

She is my most favorite Indian. Thank you.


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After his speech, the headmistress was quite moved and she wanted to meet his grandma.Well, Mom lives in another city so he promised to bring her to school when she comes here. 
That is kind of impression we make on our little ones, and they observe everything we do and learn from it. 

The latest news and the icing on the cake is that this speech won my son the first prize!! 






22 comments:

  1. Aww :) Really beautiful and touching !! I'm sure his nani will be so so happy and proud to read this :) Touch wood, Shusrith :) Lovely !!

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    1. thank u Sreeja! and thanks for hopping by to his blog too! his grandma is indeed very proud of him.

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  2. Wow!! This is truly impressive! Kudos to the big boy and the to the proud parents too! :)

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  3. Artistically written ! Read the blog too A path of something big is under construction.. Indeed Life is so much influenced by the people around us .. I guess that why it is called parenting and upbringing matters ..Within every human being there is a God given ability that if you find it and nurture it you'll be able to bless the lives of others. and your mom have blessed your kids !

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    1. Thank u so much! ur so right Ankur...we are blessed to be her kids. thanks for reading his blog too..actually there are a lot of stories that he has written on his laptop, but im restricting his internet usage for the moment because he is just 9yrs old.

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  4. His grandma wud b so so happy reading this

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  5. This is amazing! He has a good command over his language. The bond between grandparents and grandchildren is very special and it is nice to know that he has got such a lovely grandmother. I am sure you must be proud to be a daughter to such a wonderful lady and a mother to such a wonderful boy.

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    1. he does have a good command over the language. he is good at writing essays and short stories too.

      im thrilled to be a daughter to my amazing mom and of course a mother to this amazing little chap. thank u so much.

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  6. *standing ovation* this is really beyond words! In terms of writing, like mother, like son :)

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    1. Thank you so much..I'll tell him that. He really amazed me with his writings.

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  7. Titli, I really enjoyed reading about your son's impression of his nani. Grand children are actually 'great'. The special bond that they have for their grand parents is unique.

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    1. Thank you Ma'm..he is closest to his nani and is quite influenced by her. and who better than you to understand the bond that grandparents share with their grandchildren.

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  8. This is heartfelt and so touching. I dont remember much of my nani but I miss my Dadi. She was a true embodiment of grit and grace.

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    1. thank u Alka...grandparents hold our hands for a while but our hearts forever!

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  9. So heartwarming. Very well written too. And read his blog too. Could say like mother like son :)

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  10. That's a wonderful mom and a wonderful son you are blessed with Titli - and, but, he does use the language well.

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    1. i couldn't be more proud....of both of them actually! and I'm happy he's got the gift of the words!

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At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person..deep gratitude for those who have lighted the flame within me!! your comments will be appreciated..

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