Thou shalt respect Parents

Parents are larger than life figures. They are the path upon which children grow up and mature into adults. They prepare them for the challenges in the cruel world outside. Parents give their blood and sweat for children to go ahead in life. With all these functions and much more, they should indeed be considered holy figures, worthy of worship. But, now, the conditions around society have changed. People have become practical, and are now starting to think of parents as a ladder to their path, thus ignoring them and also many times insulting and making them cry.

I am normally not a fan of Amitabh Bachchan, but i have tremendous respect for the film that he acted in. Baghban, is a film, about relationships and the conflict between the older generation and the newer generation. To furthur my mood about respecting parents, i stumbled upon another film of the 80's named Avatar. Even in that, Rajesh Khanna struggles in old life and is ignored by his sons, who leave him and put him in a very pitiable state. Both these films reassert one thing, the newer generation is ignoring their parents, and branching out in a way that is hurtful to their parents.

There is a very important message for me as well as for the younger generation. Only if you give unconditional and true love, only then can true happiness be realized. If you give Parents the love and the duty that they sought after unconditionally, only then can individuals experience True Bliss. Mr. Bachchan says rightfully in this film that, "Parents are not like a ladder, but they are like the roots of a tree. The tree can grow as much as it wants, but it cannot grow without the roots". I guess, no explanation is needed for this, because it speaks for itself.

He also says a very prophetic statement. He says that even the newer generation will become old one day. What the old have experienced today, the new generation when they reach that time will also experience. Why is it that the Younger Generation cannot put their mind in the Older generation's position? Is it because the younger generation is obsessed with building avenues for their own growth? Is it because of the fact that it is this very practicality that results in breaking up of relationships? The answer could very well be YES to all of it.

Today, under the garb of high cost of living and the value of money, Parents are abandoned and are left lonely in a old age home to die. The conflict between Practical thinking and Love is being highlighted in this plight. One thing is very clear, to grow Old is indeed a curse anywhere, because people start to count your time. The old, unfortunately, are made to realize that in this world, they too have to be self-sufficient and hardworking to create an identity for themselves. Such is the cruelty of the world today.

If respect and endless love is given, only then can generations live in harmony. Understanding and knowing the roots is one way to live, but i wonder whether we are overawed by the wider picture. The wider picture suggests practicality and breaking of relationships to go ahead. Very few people manage to achieve a balance. I only hope i can come in that group of few. A simple realization is possible, and this should be imprinted on my mind and heart forever. Parents are everything to you, without them, you can neither live or be happy. Duty and endless amount of unconditional love will make them happy forever.