India won the BanglaDesh match of the first game of the World Cup. Impressive start, but a few worry issues on the bowling. A treat to see Sehwag hit 175 and Virat Kohli with his 100 not out .. great stuff, and the more prolific hitters still sitting on the bench .. may this temperament continue !

Its getting enjoyable to sit out with the rest of the cast on set and just hang ! Stories, recollections, interesting episodes all flowing through in spirit of camaraderie. Its always such a joy to be in such state. We seldom get opportunity to mix and spend time with each other. All of us busy in various vocations in different parts of the country, do not get time to exchange. And when we do its amazing how much we know of each other. Outdoor locations are always a a delight. Wish there could be more of these.

The students come on set for the shooting as part of the cast and it is a joy to be in their midst and get to know how they think and conduct themselves. Their knowledge and view point is most significant and at times very surprising on issues that we would never at their age have thought of. This generation and the ones that follow after shall be a most fascinating generation. I do not think that we will be around to see them function in the years to come, but I can say this that they will be a most incredible bunch of youngsters. Their understanding and opinions, their outlook and preparedness, shall all be making a part of this world a better place for sure. At the same time they shall be burdened with huge responsibility and expectation. I do believe that they shall have the mettle to deal with it. And deal with it perhaps in a way better than most. Their evolution seems to be enhanced by huge margins. And if this is nature’s way of providing that step forward with each decade, then what are the signals that we should not be ignoring. Do we impose, or do we allow freedom to exist and thrive. Not all that this generation shall do will be any great interest to us. But if we were to be able to understand their point of view, give them that leeway, protect them from abuse and corruption, not necessarily in the real sense, then I believe we have great hopes and desires pinned on them. Generally they do well when left alone to do their stuff. provided of course their ’stuff’ is not the other ’stuff’ !!

This dilema shall be prevalent I am afraid with all those that concern themselves in the upbringing of their progeny. Leave them to their destiny and independent decisions. Or guide them on holding hands and consultation every moment of their lives. The pride among many of the satisfaction that they allowed their children to make their own decisions and fight their way through. Or the more orthodox, where each step was taken with deep consideration and assistance of many. Some would feel crippled with the kind of assistance they would get. Some would perhaps like the presence of the elder to make sure experience was respected and adequate guidance received. Its a difficult one to come to some definite conclusion. There are so many examples of both and successful ones too, that at times you just allow time, fate, hand of the unknown and prayer to take over. Eventually it is an individual decision that propels one to follow the path that he or she may choose. Problem is, do we really know the path at all. And this is where all debate seems to get tangental.

As parents we are so protective of our offspring that it seems incongruous to not be able to be aware of how and where we would like the son or daughter to be. The fear always has been what if the suggestion fails. What if what they were suggesting, but parental respect kept them away from doing what they believed would have been successful for them. What then ? Parents too can go horribly wrong ! Do we then impose our ill judgement upon them and see them struggling, or do we keep away and allow them that space to breathe in their own destiny. If it works we laud them for their vital understanding of the situation. If it does not we bear the pain along with them of their failures, silently.

I guess one has to be pretty hard headed to be able to keep aloof where this is concerned.

But then such is life …

Amitabh Bachchan