Too long...

Chandra has a natural affinity to academics. He loves reading, writing, math etc. Datta is quite the opposite. He complains 'but it takes tooo long' for everything. Today, he's supposed to write 5 letters (QRSTU) in his Pre-K workbook. After an hour - of which 50+ minutes was spent playing around, 6 minutes spent whining and 4 minutes writing - I checked into his work - and he finished writing only two letters.

I asked him to write 'S' as well - but he said he will write two today and two tomorrow. I asked him to write S and T today, so he can write two more tomorrow. And he gave his favorite answer - 'but naannaa... it takes toooo long'.

I said to Usha: 'If we tell him that he has to study in school/college for 18 years, he probably won't even get started with school. Shall I tell him?!" We both had a hearty laugh...and I have to see how I can make enjoy writing. hmm.... writing...and enjoy... tough proposition for Datta for sure :)

Swasti!!

'Manners are not for following'

This past Friday I had an interesting conversation with Datta - my soon-to-be 4-year old son.

Me: No computer for you today, as you were not listening. (The kids watch playhouse disney episodes on the internet)

Datta: Please naanna (dad). Can I watch Handy Manny?

Me: I said no computer on weekdays. Also, you are not listening to us. No good manners, no computer.

Datta: But I said Please... that's a good manner?!

Me: Yes, but you have to listen to mom and me as well - and follow what we say. You can't do as you please for everything.

Datta: But naanna ... good manners are only for saying. Not for listening and following....

Me: What do you mean? What are good manners?

Datta: Please, Thank You and Sorry... these are all good manners. Not listening and following....

hmm... Barney and Mickey episodes on manners have greater influence on him ...what can I say, but to burst out in laughter at his innocence and unintended humor?!

Swasti!!

Lessons learned from Mumbai attacks?

The first anniversary of the tragic Mumbai attacks is already upon us - but there's no progress in the investigation (huh?!) nor could we hold Pakistan accountable and get them to act. How much did we expect and hope our politicians would act tough and get the real culprits to pay?! Alas! It's just a distant wish and our political bandits lack the will, and it's proved once again.

Are our cities any safer than they were in Nov '08? Are there any new security measures in place to check the visitors coming in by air, land and water ways? Have the laws of the land been updated or the existing laws being enforced any better? Have there been significant improvements in how the intelligence is gathered and shared amongst the various security agencies?

Sadly, the answers are all negative - even after such a tragic incident in which just a handful of rogue militants made a mockery of our system and played with the lives of hundreds, and more so - with the sentiments and emotions of crores.

The political class in the country proves they haven't let us down to the deepest depths yet, with each passing tragedy. Every time we feel it can't get any worse, and it can only get better from here on - our 'leaders' prove otherwise.

Hope things change for the better soon and we can see some positive developments that gives us hope for a better and secure future.

Swasti!!