Children make such interesting subjects. Sit and spend some time with them and they shall surprise you with their knowledge, their opinion on matters of the mind and life, on technology and some very pertinent queries, which do not bring to us any comfort when responding to them. Or trying to respond to them.

My grandchildren now have attained the position of a superior. Their mobile usage sense, computer savvy sense, and any electronic instrument operation, is so rapid and effective, it amazes me how quick their minds must be working to attain any level of competence.

I think they are built differently, or build themselves differently. There is great clarity of thought in what they observe. Their speech is still at times American Tv influenced, but when required they are equally conversant in their local tongue. They are without any inhibitions, come openly to the point and within minutes, whether we complied with them or not. Most of the time we do not.

At the room in luncheon recess Agastya shall give you a lesson on the latest 4G phone and its various consequences. Most of which we had never heard of or did not have desire to. They have focus, are aware of marketing skills and know when to bring forth the company products in case of malfunctions. I am truly amazed at their acumen. I should really have shied away from it all and lived recluse like, in some wild and unknown location. But life does not let you go away so easily. It shall test and retest, until you are about to fall.

If you were to ask them a question or check a statement, they would look upon you with more than the reserve required from a teacher. They would then start up on how things function and run, making surprised comment on how come we did not know of this.

Their innocent banter is the greatest education one deserves. Mature and definite in approach and substantially confident of authority. This generation is indeed something else. Love them hate them, but never ignore them. For, those who can sincerely  gag himself on pitch or green patch, may be the cause of these reactions. So it would be wise to leave them where they are - energetic, full of new life and a rather tight slap on the stretched and extended posterior. Just a slap mind you, nothing to do with your new laws on caning.

Its the nonchalant manner in which they feel that the best is yet to come and are doing so merely to keep the body atoned and healthy for the next foray. This is worth all the administration skills that one can ever try to muster, to defeat them. But no sir if there is disagreement, you better be ready to justify your answers.

May this generation live long and in fruitful environs .. my prayers say so !!

Amitabh Bachchan