Ever since I can remember, my cousin’s children Akshay and Avanti have been the apples of my eye and all through the years of my struggle in the media in Mumbai, they have been my reason for living. They are aged 25 and 21 respectively, but I always seem to think of them as kids, eager to take them out for a movie and some ice cream and fattening junk food thereafter. My nephew is studying Audio Engineering at SAE Byron Bay (Australia). After I heard about the controversial attacks on Indian students in Melbourne, I enquired after Akshay’s well-being and when I read the email he sent in response I realized that he’s no longer the little toddler I used to carry around what seems like just a few years ago. I guess I was so caught up in my own world that I didn’t realize that Akshay is now an adult and someone who thinks independently and expresses himself beautifully. As I read his mail I thought to myself " He sounds so grown up. Where was I when he was growing up?" I felt like I was reading an email from a friend or a colleague and I suddenly saw my nephew for what he is - another individual capable of taking care of himself and not someone I need to mollycoddle anymore.
I’m pasting part of his email –
“There is a bit of a media hype about the whole racism violence and I'm pretty sure that the attacks are more opportunistic than racist. However, I cannot deny the fact that Indians are easy targets because it is our nature to shut up and tolerate rather than defend ourselves with twice the power that we're attacked with. But all said and done, if you roam about in any part of this planet at unearthly hours all alone, you're bound to get robbed or beaten up!
Byron Bay is absolute paradise though. There is absolutely no hint of racism here and Indians are really respected for their modesty, simplicity and humility. Quite a lot of people have been to India and are in absolute awe of the place, and they love our culture. In fact people here respect and treat me a lot better than most Indians do!!!!”
Time flies and while we think we are in touch with the people around us, we may not in reality be as connected as we think we are. It takes something simple like this to drive the point home that time and tide wait for no one. Incidentally I am writing this on the last day of the month of June. I cannot believe that half the year has gone by already and the second half starts tomorrow!
