India is known as a land of diverse cultures and religions. People from different communities have different creeds. However some age old traditions are found to be militating against human nature rather than showing people the right path. Though we believe that now we live in a modern world, still there are some people having orthodox thinking domineering in their houses. It is also one of the reasons of disputes and disparity between parents and their children. I am not defending the younger generation by criticizing the elders. However there are some people who have crossed the height of orthodoxy.
I recently visited my friends house. His name was Rakesh I had not seen him for years. He lives in a nuclear family along with his parents and children. What I saw and heard there left me bewildered and speechless. My friend has two children. One boy and other a girl. I had brought them chess for them as a gift. I started explaining them the rules of chess. Suddenly I heard a shout from my back. I looked over my shoulder. The grandfather has come out of his room and for some reason he shouted. I felt it was meant for me. But I ignored assuming that here in India we have a saying Atithi devo bhava- Guest are equal to God. Then how can he shout at me. He came pulled the chess from my hand and threw it out of the house. I was scared and confused simultaneously. I couldn't fix any reason for this king of etiquette that I am receiving. Now everyone of the family were in the living room. I somehow controlled myself and managed to ask him "What happened?". The grandfather angrily replied,"You are asking me what happened. You have come here to corrupt my grandchildren's mind? You are showing them the wrong path and sowing bad seed in their brains. Rakesh what kind of friends you have?How dare he come here. Throw him out. I don't want to see him again". My friend and his wife somehow appeased him and sent him to his room. I was standing there, still perplexed. I felt like a student who is being punished for reason not known to him.
When grandfather went, Rakesh explained me that he was angry because I was teaching chess to the children. I still did not understand. Then he told me that his grandparents consider it as a juva-gambling. I defended myself by saying that it is just a game. Moreover it is a good brain exercise. Rakesh's son said,"He doesn't allow us to play snakes and ladder also". I was more than surprised,"What? He considers that also a juva". Rakesh nodded and said,"He says these things are a addiction and often lead to poker, then gambling and then there is no way back". I couldn't believe what I was hearing. There must be something wrong with the old man. Chess which is an international game has been accused to be gambling. Snakes and ladder is one of the childish games I have known. It has also been accused. However we cannot win over our elders. Ultimately I had to go to the old man, apologised for the so-called sin I had done in his eyes and promised not to repeat my sin.
Thoughts of people are so different. Somethings are taboo for one person and common thing for another. Some choose to follow their decisions, others rely on others for decisions. Some take traditions and religions so strongly that they become a part of them while others believe that religions and traditions are a means of remembering God. They shouldn't dominate our lives. I don't know who is right or what I will face after death. Whether I will perish or there will be a judgement day. I know only one thing that today I am living and I want to make the most of my one life.
