Initially I thought that today I would write about the `Made in/for/by India' medals medley. Honestly though, I know precious little of golf or javelin throw. In a blog, there is no need to gush about `fields' one is not knowledgeable about. True, a blog is part of the social media, too. But it is not the Institute Whatsapp or University of Facebook that one has to show off any punditry. Nor is it the multi-channel tv or the now rather marginalised editions of newspapers to gas about in an unschooled way, right?
Can I instead think aloud a little about what/how the state of mind of the mother of an Olympic Gold Winner could be? Her award winning child now would be the son she would be meeting the last. Did you notice that Neeraj Chopra has `virtually' faced any number of press meets and a batallion of journo's, and bigwigs. He had `virtually' no precision though regarding when he could talk to hia parents/family. As it is the preparation period must have taken him away from them for years by now. In fact, the coach, the supporting staff must be more with him than her or his father. Very simple people, would they know much about his sport? Would they have worried about his uncertain future in the initial stages of his career? Now cocooned in his glory, he would be chasing more and further victories that would take him often, and further, away from his parents, his family, right? And the lead leitmotif of that voyage would be "mud mud ke na dekh", right?
Jounalists coo about how players stay from pizzas-n-parties. Who thinks about the simple mother and father who stay away from their child, worrying about his welfare being their only saviour. " Beta, tu sehad ke liye hanikarak hai" could be their ditty, right?
Come to think of it though, this "empty nest" feel is the fate of all the parents of all the sucessful children. A brilliant child, whatever might be the field, gets so engrossed and taken up with his/her career, his/her win-win situations that the parents are left with the `his/her win, we lose' feel that is a combo of happiness, pride, joy, and loneliness. No wonder, when Raju went on his shippie duties or Sanju went to the States, forget Aai, even Papa, too, could not stop his tears. Even when they would be in Pune, that `his one more win' feel would assume another avatar. Just as, for example, both of them were proud of their sons' lovely flats, the sense of separation was anguishing, too.
I remember once Aai was admitted in Mangeshkar, and her urologist had to check her twice for a few days. So busy he used to be that on the very second day itself, Aai started worrying (so you can imagine how much soul enrgey she must have spent on our far-n-away schedules) whether he gets time at least for a brunch. When next he came for his round, I mentioned Aai's worry to him. Dr. Shivde seemed genuinely moved by her concern. "Remembered my mother," he said.
In brief, hats off to every mother who unties the cords of her heart for her child's welfare, kudos to every father who sheds tears none can see. Ma-Bapu, aap ke sehat ke liye hanikark hota hi rehta hai apka pyar, apka lad-dular.
pratima@child's success/win, parents' proud defeat!
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