June 02, 2007

Since childhood I was taught that history repeats itself or in other words it assimilates the idiom “as you sow so shall you reap”. And I, being a carefree individual, never paid any heed to it and continued living a life of a person who was least bothered about the people around him/her.

But yeasterday something happened which made me ponder over my childhood attitude. By the way I forgot to tell you about myself. I think I can be excused for that because people at the age of sixty start forgetting things. Anyway as already mentioned I am an old woman of sixty and a grandmother of six children.

Now coming to the point: yesterday I was passing by my granddaughter Sonia’s room when I heard her talking on the phone. She was telling her friend something about her terminal examinations. I tried to evesdrop on her conversation and what I heard left me dumbfounded for a minute. She was telling her friend that she scored thirty eight out of hundred in the science paper. According to her school’s policy she had failed, but she shed crocodile’s tears in front of the teacher, giving the excuse that her grandmother died two days before the paper so she couldn’t prepare well. For this reason she must be given grace marks.

When I heard this, my own actions invigorated in my mind. Forty six years back I had made the same excuse in front of my physics teacher. My words came back to me and after hearing those ugly words I felt dejected and realised that it’s true that history repeats itself.

Today I am so ashamed of my past insolent attitude which I showed in my youth towards my elders. I never listened to what my grandparents said. Sometimes my grandparents used to ask me to fetch a glass of water and I used to refuse impertinently asking them to do it on their own without realising the veracity that they are aged and it’s not easy for them to do it on their own. While travelling in public buses I never gave my seat to any senior citizen. Whatever I was asked I used to give the opposite answer. I gave no due respect to any of my seniors.

Now I am feeling wretched on my past attitude. It’s too late for me. I can’t apologise to the people with whom I misbehaved because they are no more in this world but still I presume my mistake can be rectified by you readers. From my side I’ll try to change the attitude of my grandchildren and from you people I expect a good attitude for the senior citizens.

I know it’s never too late. Realisation at the correct time is the only thing that is required. You people are young and have a long life to live. You can learn a lesson from my experience. I expect something positive from you people. I hope that you will not disappoint me.