Where My Shoes Remember More Than My Feet”

“Where My Shoes Remember More Than My Feet”

There are companions in life who do not speak, yet silently walk through every season of our becoming. For me, that companionship has often come in the form of two faithful pairs of shoes — the black Hush Puppies and the brown ankle-high Woodland shoes.

They may seem ordinary to a casual observer, but to me, they are chapters stitched in leather.

The Black Hush Puppies: Authority with Grace

The black Hush Puppies were my allies in the corridors of responsibility. They walked with me into staff meetings, inspections, seminars, and solemn assemblies. Their quiet elegance matched the tone of formal addresses and boardroom deliberations.
When I stood before teachers, students, or parents, articulating policies or delivering a morning address, those shoes grounded me. They were not flamboyant; they were dignified — much like the values I tried to uphold as a Principal and mentor.

Black has always symbolised seriousness, discipline, and authority. In those shoes, I felt prepared — not merely dressed. They carried me into rooms where decisions were made, futures were shaped, and responsibilities weighed heavily on the conscience.

They witnessed applause and criticism alike. They bore the dust of playground inspections and the polished floors of conference halls. And through it all, they reminded me that leadership is not about height, but about the steadiness of one’s step.

The Woodland Brown Ankle Shoes: Freedom with Strength

If the black shoes represented duty, the brown Woodland ankle shoes symbolised freedom. Unless the occasion demanded strict formality, my heart — and feet — leaned towards them.
There is something reassuring about ankle-high shoes. They hold you firmly, almost protectively, as though saying, “Go ahead, tread boldly.” Whether it was travelling for school work, visiting friends, attending informal gatherings, or simply driving through long highways, these brown companions were my preferred choice.

Brown, to me, speaks of earth — of roots, resilience, and warmth. These shoes walked with me through journeys both literal and metaphorical. They accompanied me on roads less travelled, on visits to new institutions, and on family outings where laughter outweighed schedules.

Perhaps my inclination towards them reveals something about my temperament: I value strength, but I cherish comfort; I respect formality, but I celebrate authenticity.

What Shoes Teach

Shoes, in their silent wisdom, teach us humility. They remain closest to the ground, absorbing dust and pressure so that we may walk upright.

In many ways, they mirror life’s philosophy — endurance without complaint.

Like the “sandals” of wandering sages or the sturdy boots of explorers, footwear has always symbolised journey and purpose. We do not merely wear shoes; we entrust them with our direction.

In my life, these two pairs have carried me through decades of service, self-discovery, and silent reflection. They have walked across stages, through classrooms, along highways, and into moments of solitude. They have known my fatigue and my determination.

Beyond Leather and Laces
Now, when I look at them resting quietly in the rack, I do not see leather and stitching. I see a memory. I see miles travelled, conversations held, challenges faced, and victories earned.

– The black Hush Puppies remind me of discipline and dignity.
– The brown Woodland ankle shoes remind me of courage and comfort.
Both, in their own way, have taken me not just to destinations, but into deeper versions of myself.
For in the end, it is not merely about where our shoes take us —
it is about who we become while walking in them.

The Unwrapped Gift: When Life Gives Without Ribbons

The Unwrapped Gift: When Life Gives Without Ribbons
“One of the best gifts I have ever received?”

If I search my memory for parcels wrapped in shimmering paper, for boxes tied with satin bows, for surprises hidden in cupboards or beneath festive lights, I find none that stand out as a gift. In truth, I do not remember receiving the “best gift” in the conventional sense at all.

And yet, as I sit with this question, I realise that perhaps the finest gifts of life rarely arrive wrapped.

The Gift of Becoming

There were no dramatic unveilings, no applause, no ceremonious presentations. What I received instead were circumstances—some stern, some silent, some severe.

They did not come with greeting cards, but they came with lessons. They did not carry price tags, but they carried purpose.

Life, in its curious generosity, handed me responsibility before comfort, duty before indulgence, and questions before answers. At that time, I may not have recognised these as gifts. They felt more like burdens placed upon unprepared shoulders.

But as the Roman philosopher Seneca wisely observed, “Difficulties strengthen the mind, as labour does the body.” What seemed like deprivation slowly chiselled resilience. What appeared as absence became an invitation to grow.

The Gift of Education and Thought

If I must choose something tangible, it would not be an object, but an opportunity—the privilege of education. Books became companions. Chalk and blackboard became allies. Classrooms transformed into sanctuaries of thought.

Education did not merely teach me facts; it taught me perspective. It trained me to question, to reflect, to analyse. It instilled within me the scientific temper that our Constitution subtly encourages under Article 51A(h), reminding citizens to develop scientific inquiry and reform.

In this sense, the gift was not a possession but a preparation. It prepared me to stand firm when winds were strong and to bow gracefully when storms demanded humility.

The Gift of Trust

Perhaps the greatest invisible gift I ever received was trust—trust placed in me by institutions, colleagues, students, and parents. Leadership is never handed as a decorative trophy; it is entrusted as a responsibility. And trust, once given, becomes a sacred covenant.

The philosopher Immanuel Kant wrote about duty as a moral imperative. I felt that imperative deeply whenever responsibility knocked on my door. Each opportunity to guide, mentor, or serve was less a reward and more a calling.

Trust shaped my character more profoundly than any material gift could have.

The Gift of Solitude

There were seasons when silence became my closest confidant. In those quiet corridors of life, I often felt unseen, even forgotten. Yet solitude, like a stern teacher, revealed truths that noise never could.

The great poet William

Wordsworth found “emotion recollected in tranquillity.” In solitude, I too discovered reflection. Loneliness, though heavy, carved depth into my understanding of self and others.

It is strange how the gifts we initially resist become the treasures we later cherish.

The Gift of Writing

If I look at my present life—my pen resting faithfully beside me—I realise that writing itself is a gift. It allows pain to become prose, memory to become meaning, and silence to become sound.
The Bhagavad Gita speaks of Nishkama Karma—action without attachment to reward. Writing, for me, embodies that principle. I write not for applause, nor for awards, but because words seek expression. They insist on existence.

Perhaps the best gift I ever received was the ability to transform experience into expression.

The Gift That Was Never Wrapped

When I say I do not remember receiving the best gift, I now understand that I was mistaken. The gifts were simply not adorned with glitter. They arrived as challenges, as responsibilities, as education, as trust, as solitude, and as the quiet courage to continue.
Material gifts fade. Gadgets become obsolete. Clothes wear thin. But the invisible gifts—character, conviction, competence—grow stronger with time.

As Mahatma Gandhi once reminded us, “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” Service itself became a gift to me—one that gave more than it demanded.

A Quiet Conclusion

So, if someone asks me today, “What is the best gift you have ever received?” I would gently smile and say:
It was not something I opened with my hands.
It was something that opened me.

Life did not place a ribbon in my palm; it placed resolve in my heart.It did not gift me luxury; it gifted me lessons.And in those lessons, I found my wealth.

Sometimes, the finest gifts are not given to us.
They are grown within us.

Counting Every Grain: Planning, Budgeting and the Poetry of Prudence

“Counting Every Grain: Planning, Budgeting and the Poetry of Prudence”

Planning and budgeting, to me, are not dry exercises in arithmetic; they are acts of faith. They are quiet declarations that tomorrow matters. As someone who has journeyed through scarcity, responsibility, leadership and retirement, I have learnt that money, like time, respects only those who respect it.

I was not born into abundance. At one time, the ground beneath my feet shifted. There were days when uncertainty was my closest companion. In those formative years, planning was not a luxury; it was survival. When you have little, you count every grain of rice. When you have responsibility, you weigh every decision twice.

Planning: The Architecture of Hope

Planning, in its truest sense, is the architecture of hope. It is drawing a blueprint before laying bricks. As a Principal for over two decades and later a City Coordinator for CBSE schools, I learnt that institutions crumble without foresight. Whether designing an academic calendar or organising teacher training sessions, planning meant anticipating challenges before they arrived at the door.

Personally too, planning has always begun with three questions:

1. What is essential?

2. What is desirable?

3. What can wait?

This simple triad has saved me from impulsive decisions more than once. In life, as in physics (my beloved subject), equilibrium is achieved only when opposing forces are balanced. Planning brings that balance between aspiration and reality.

Budgeting: Discipline in Disguise

Budgeting is often misunderstood as restriction. In truth, it is discipline in disguise.

When I retired from active service without the comfort of a pension, reality knocked firmly. Running Prashant Educational Consultancy Services OPC Pvt Ltd requires vision, yes—but also prudence. Budgeting ensures that vision does not outrun resources.

My approach to budgeting follows a few guiding principles:

1. Prioritise commitments: Household responsibilities come first. Family is not an expense; it is an investment.
Avoid lifestyle inflation: Just because one earns more does not mean one must spend more.

2. Create buffers: Life is unpredictable. A medical emergency or sudden obligation can disturb the calmest waters.

3. Allocate for growth: Books, learning, travel for meaningful engagement—these are not extravagances; they are nourishment for the soul.

I have always believed in the Indian philosophy of “Ati Sarvatra Varjayet”—excess in anything is to be avoided.

Budgeting embodies this wisdom. It is not miserliness; it is mindfulness.

Emotional Budgeting: An Overlooked Dimension

Beyond finances, I practise what I call emotional budgeting. At sixty-five, with energy still abundant but social circles shrinking, one must also plan where to invest emotional energy.

Not every argument deserves attention. Not every opportunity deserves acceptance. Not every silence is rejection.

Time, attention and goodwill must be allocated wisely. Emotional bankruptcy can be far more damaging than financial loss.

The Role of Technology and Tradition

In earlier days, budgeting meant a small notebook tucked into a drawer. Today, digital tools simplify calculations. Yet, I still value the tactile satisfaction of writing down figures. There is accountability in ink.

From Chanakya’s Arthashastra to modern financial planning manuals, one lesson echoes consistently: foresight sustains kingdoms and households alike. Even in the Bible, Joseph’s planning during years of plenty saved Egypt during famine. History repeatedly whispers—prepare in abundance for scarcity.

Planning for Legacy, Not Luxury

At this stage of life, my planning is less about accumulation and more about contribution. Writing books, mentoring schools, guiding young educators—these are investments in legacy.

Budgeting, therefore, is not about hoarding wealth but about enabling purpose.
When my grandchildren smile, when my son shoulders responsibility with maturity, when my wife continues to create through her writing—I see the dividends of careful planning. Stability provides freedom. Prudence breeds dignity.

Planning without action is daydreaming. Action without planning is chaos. Budgeting without purpose is mere counting.

But when planning is guided by values and budgeting is anchored in discipline, life becomes less turbulent.

I have learnt that money is a good servant but a dangerous master. Count your coins, but do not let them count your worth. Build your plans not merely on spreadsheets, but on principles.

For in the end, the true wealth of a person lies not in what he accumulates, but in how wisely he manages what he has been entrusted with.
And that, perhaps, is the finest balance sheet of all.

Patriotism in a Global Village: Flag, Conscience and the Quiet Duties of the Heart”

“Patriotism in a Global Village: Flag, Conscience and the Quiet Duties of the Heart”

What does patriotism mean to me? It is not merely the flutter of a flag in the monsoon breeze, nor the crescendo of an anthem sung with a swelling chest.

Patriotism, to my mind, is a quiet covenant — a promise between the citizen and the soil. It is both emotion and ethic; both pride and responsibility.

Having  raised across cultures, and having spent nearly four decades in Indian education, I have often reflected on what binds a person to a nation. Is it geography? Is it language? Is it blood? Or is it shared memory and shared destiny?

Patriotism: Beyond Slogans and Symbols

The word “patriotism” springs from the Latin patria — fatherland. Yet, in the Indian context, it resonates with the deeper idea of Matribhumi — motherland. The Atharva Veda beautifully declares: “Mata bhumih putro aham prithivyah” — The Earth is my mother, I am her son. This is not jingoism; it is belonging.

True patriotism is not blind obedience. It is enlightened love. It celebrates the achievements of the nation but does not hesitate to critique its shortcomings. In that sense, patriotism stands closer to conscience than to applause.

History offers us varied faces of patriotism. Mahatma Gandhi demonstrated it through non-violence and civil disobedience — loving the nation enough to resist injustice. Bhagat Singh embodied it through fearless sacrifice. And in more recent times, A. P. J. Abdul Kalam expressed patriotism through science, education and the empowerment of youth.

Different paths, one devotion.

Is Patriotism Relevant Today?
In today’s hyper-connected world — where technology has shrunk distances and ideas travel faster than aircraft — some argue that patriotism is outdated. After all, we speak of global citizenship, climate responsibility and international cooperation.

Yet paradoxically, patriotism is more relevant than ever.
When global crises strike — be it a pandemic, natural disaster, or economic turbulence — citizens look towards their own nations for protection and stability.

National policies, healthcare systems, defence structures and educational institutions become the first line of defence. Patriotism ensures that individuals contribute responsibly to these systems rather than merely consuming their benefits.
However, patriotism must not mutate into narrow nationalism. When love for one’s country turns into hatred for another, it ceases to be patriotism and becomes prejudice. A mature patriot can salute the tricolour and still extend a hand of friendship beyond borders.

Do People Still Demonstrate Patriotism?

Yes — but often in quieter ways than before.
The soldier guarding icy borders, the teacher shaping young minds in a remote village, the doctor serving in a government hospital, the honest taxpayer, the social worker cleaning rivers — these are patriots without banners.

During national calamities, we have witnessed ordinary citizens offering food, shelter and support to strangers. That silent solidarity is patriotism in action.

Even a retired principal mentoring schools through consultancy, despite financial uncertainties, can claim a small thread in the national fabric. For nation-building is not confined to Parliament; it begins in classrooms, homes and hearts.

In sports stadiums, patriotism roars. In voting booths, it whispers. In everyday integrity, it breathes.

The Challenge Before Us

The real challenge today is to redefine patriotism for younger generations. In an age of social media outrage and polarised debates, patriotism must be taught as civic responsibility, respect for constitutional values, and ethical citizenship.
It means:

– Respecting diversity in language, religion and culture.
– Protecting public property.
Paying taxes honestly.
– Standing against corruption.
– Voting thoughtfully.
– Nurturing harmony.

A nation is not its government alone. It is its people — their character, their discipline, their compassion.

The Balance Between Globe and Ground

We can be global in outlook and patriotic in commitment. A tree that forgets its roots cannot withstand storms. Yet a tree that refuses to spread its branches cannot grow.

Patriotism anchors us; global awareness expands us.
As someone who has lived across states, languages and cultures —  I have realised that patriotism is not uniformity. It is unity in diversity. It is the ability to say, “This is my land,” without denying someone else’s right to say the same about theirs.

The Quiet Flame

Patriotism is not always loud. Sometimes it is a lamp quietly burning in a storm. It is teaching a child to respect the Constitution. It is choosing honesty over convenience. It is contributing to one’s experience even after retirement. It is praying not only for personal prosperity but for national harmony.

Does patriotism still exist?

Yes — though it may not always trend on social media. It survives in silent sacrifices, in disciplined citizenship, and in the stubborn hope that tomorrow’s India will be better than today’s.

In the end, patriotism is not about asking, “What has my country given me?”

It is about whispering, “What more can I give in return?”

And perhaps, that whisper — gentle yet resolute — is the truest anthem of all.

“When Ignorance Becomes an Offence: The Quiet Confessions of an Unintentional Lawbreaker”

“When Ignorance Becomes an Offence: The Quiet Confessions of an Unintentional Lawbreaker”
Have you ever unintentionally broken the law?

If we answer honestly—without the halo of self-righteousness—we may have to nod, however reluctantly. The law, like the air we breathe, surrounds us. It governs how we drive, how we pay taxes, how we build our homes, how we express ourselves, even how we forward a message on social media. Yet, like the air, we often notice it only when we gasp for breath.

I have often reflected upon this question, not merely as a citizen, but as an educator, a Principal once entrusted with discipline and decorum. And I confess—yes, there may have been moments when I crossed the invisible lines, not out of malice, but out of ignorance, haste, or misplaced assumption.

The Complexity of Law in Modern Life

In ancient India, the concept of Dharma—as elaborated in texts such as the Manusmriti—was not merely legal but moral and cosmic. Law was intertwined with righteousness. To violate Dharma was to disturb the harmony of the universe.
Contrast this with today’s legal frameworks—intricate, layered, and ever-expanding. In India, the Constitution of India is one of the lengthiest written constitutions in the world. It is comprehensive, yet its complexity means that even well-meaning citizens can falter unknowingly.
For instance:
– Parking in a no-parking zone “just for five minutes”.

– Forwarding an unverified message without realising it may violate provisions under the Information Technology Act, 2000.

– Missing a tax deadline by oversight.

– Using copyrighted material in good faith, unaware of infringement.

None of these acts may stem from criminal intent. Yet, ignorance, as the Latin maxim reminds us—ignorantia juris non excusat—ignorance of the law excuses no one.

The Slippery Slope of Convenience

Sometimes, we bend rules in the name of convenience. “Everyone does it,” we say. That dangerous justification has toppled empires and reputations alike.

History is replete with examples where minor ethical compromises snowballed into colossal consequences. In the Indian epic Mahabharata, a single act of moral blindness—when silence prevailed over justice in the Kuru court—ignited a devastating war. No one intended a holocaust at the outset; yet complacency and quiet complicity paved the way.

Unintentional lawbreaking often begins not with rebellion, but with rationalisation.

Between Law and Conscience

As someone shaped by Jesuit discipline and later entrusted with guiding young minds, I have often emphasised that character is what we do when no one is watching. Laws regulate society; conscience regulates the self.

Philosophers like John Locke argued that laws exist to preserve life, liberty, and property. But laws alone cannot create virtue. They can restrain misconduct; they cannot manufacture morality.

In schools, I witnessed students break rules unintentionally—uniform infractions, late submissions, minor mischief. Their defence was often, “Sir, I did not know.” Sometimes it was true; sometimes it was convenience dressed as innocence. The line between ignorance and negligence is often thin as a razor’s edge.
And perhaps the same applies to us adults.

The Digital Age: A Minefield of Invisible Laws

In our times, technology has added new dimensions. A careless click, a casual share, an emotional comment—these can cross legal boundaries instantly. We inhabit a world where the law travels faster than thought.

The digital citizen must be doubly cautious. The pen may be mightier than the sword, but the smartphone can be swifter than both.

As an author and blogger, I tread carefully. Intellectual property, defamation, privacy—these are not mere technicalities; they are ethical responsibilities. Words, once released, cannot be recalled like arrows mid-flight.

The Humility of Self-Examination

To admit that one might have unintentionally broken the law is not a confession of criminality; it is an acknowledgment of human fallibility.

We are finite beings navigating an infinite web of regulations.
Yet this realisation can be transformative. It urges us to:

– Read before signing.

-Verify before forwarding.

– Pause before reacting.

– Learn before judging.
It fosters humility.

Law as a Teacher, Not a Tyrant

Law, at its best, is not a whip but a compass. It directs rather than merely punishes. When we inadvertently err, the lesson lies not in fear but in correction.

In my 65 years of life, shaped by Nepalese childhood lanes, Indian constitutional values, and the disciplined corridors of boarding schools, I have learnt this much: breaking a law unintentionally should awaken awareness, not despair.

Mistakes are the tuition fees we pay to wisdom.

A Gentle Conclusion

Have I ever unintentionally broken the law? Possibly. In small ways, unnoticed perhaps. But each reflection refines the soul.

For in the grand courtroom of existence, the final judge is not merely the statute book—but our own awakened conscience.

Let us therefore walk carefully, not out of fear, but out of respect—for society, for justice, and for the unseen threads that hold civilisation together.

For the law may be written in books, but its true spirit must be engraved in the heart.

Ink Drawn from Wounds and Wings”Is Great Writing Born of Pain or Pleasure?

“Ink Drawn from Wounds and Wings”
Is Great Writing Born of Pain or Pleasure?

What makes one write well? Is it the silent ache that sits in the corner of the heart like an uninvited guest, or the gentle warmth of joy that spreads like early morning sunlight across a winter courtyard? Is writing carved out of wounds, or does it rise like a hymn from happiness?

As I sit to reflect—perhaps as a retired Principal who has seen both the applause of annual days and the loneliness of empty corridors—I am inclined to say: it is neither pain alone nor pleasure alone that makes one write well. It is the honest conversation between the two.

The Ink of Untold Pain

Pain is a stern teacher. It chisels the ego, humbles the spirit, and forces us to look within. The death of a loved one, the quiet disappointment of being overlooked due to age, the sting of isolation when social circles shrink—these experiences carve deep furrows in the heart. And as the old idiom goes, “smooth seas do not make skilful sailors.”

History stands testimony to this truth. The poetry of John Keats, written under the shadow of illness, carries an intensity that transcends time. Rabindranath Tagore’s verses often bore the fragrance of sorrow mingled with spiritual longing. Pain, when refined by reflection, becomes philosophy.

In my own life, the sudden collapse of educational support after my grandfather’s demise taught me resilience. Those were days when survival itself was a silent examination. Such experiences do not merely hurt; they deepen. And depth, my friends, is the soul of writing.

Untold pain seeks articulation. Words become therapy; sentences become confessionals; paragraphs become bridges between isolated hearts. When one writes from pain, authenticity flows unfiltered.

The Music of Pleasure

Yet, if pain were the only source, literature would be a cemetery of laments.

Pleasure, too, plays its part. The laughter of a grandson, the melody of a harmonium at dusk, the serenity of a raga like Bihag floating through the evening air—these moments colour writing with tenderness.

Think of William Wordsworth, who found profound poetry in daffodils dancing beside a lake. Or consider Rumi, whose ecstatic verses sprang from spiritual joy. Pleasure refines perception. It teaches gratitude. It allows the writer to celebrate life rather than merely endure it.

Pleasure gives wings to words. It ensures that writing does not become a valley of shadows but also a meadow of hope. As the Bhagavad Gita reminds us, equilibrium is wisdom—“Samatvam yoga uchyate.” Balance is the true art.

The Alchemy of Both

In truth, good writing is born in the crucible where pain and pleasure meet. Pain provides depth; pleasure offers light. Pain gives gravity; pleasure grants grace. One roots us; the other lifts us.

A writer who has only known comfort may skim the surface. A writer who has known only suffering may drown in it. But one who has walked through both—the thorn and the rose—writes with resonance.

Writing, then, is not an exhibition of wounds nor a parade of pleasures. It is an act of transformation. The untold pain becomes empathy; the private joy becomes generosity. And somewhere between the two, a universal truth emerges.

A Personal Reflection

Perhaps, in this phase of life—post-retirement, navigating relevance, finances, memories, and music—I realise that writing has been my quiet companion. When the world seemed distant, the pen remained faithful. When applause faded, reflection deepened.

Pain sharpened my pen. Pleasure softened my tone.
And thus, my words carry both salt and honey.

The Source Within

So what makes one write well? It is not merely suffering nor solely happiness. It is awareness. It is the courage to feel deeply and the humility to express honestly. It is the willingness to turn life itself into literature.

For writing is not about displaying scars; it is about turning them into stars.
It is not about counting blessings; it is about sharing them.

In the end, the finest ink is distilled from a heart that has both wept and rejoiced—and chosen to remain grateful.

Because the true writer does not ask whether pain or pleasure is greater;
he simply listens to both—and writes.

Standing on Their Shoulders: Are We Better Than Our Parents, or Merely Different?

Standing on Their Shoulders: Are We Better Than Our Parents, or Merely Different?

Every generation quietly asks the same unsettling question: Are we doing better than our parents did at our age? And somewhere, in another room or another decade, parents wonder whether their children are truly prepared for the world that lies ahead.
It is a comparison as old as civilisation itself.

When I look back at my own parents’ generation, I see resilience carved out of scarcity. They lived in times when comfort was a luxury, not an entitlement.

Opportunities were limited, yet their determination was limitless. They walked miles for education, saved every coin, and built homes brick by brick — not merely of cement, but of discipline and sacrifice. Their word was their bond; their integrity, their inheritance to us.

We, on the other hand, inhabit a world flooded with information, technology, and choice. We travel faster, communicate instantly, and dream globally. At our age, many of us have earned degrees our parents could not access, explored careers they never imagined, and voiced opinions they might have suppressed. By material standards, we may appear “ahead”.

But progress is not a straight line; it is a layered tapestry.

The Measure of “Better”

If “better” means greater financial security, access to healthcare, global exposure, and technological competence, many of us may indeed be better off. A young professional today can access online courses from Oxford or IIT, connect with mentors across continents, and launch enterprises from a laptop.

The world has shrunk; possibilities have expanded.
Yet, if “better” means emotional endurance, patience, community bonding, and contentment with little, then our parents may still outshine us. They knew how to wait. They knew how to repair instead of replace. They valued relationships over reactions.

In an era without social media applause, they quietly did their duty.

Perhaps we have gained speed but lost stillness.

We have gained voice but sometimes lost depth.

We have gained choice but often lost certainty.

Context Shapes Capability

One must never forget that each generation fights different battles. Our parents contended with economic instability, limited infrastructure, rigid hierarchies, and fewer rights. We contend with hyper-competition, digital overload, mental health crises, environmental anxieties, and an ever-moving benchmark of success.

It would be unjust to compare two generations without accounting for their contexts. A farmer who tilled land under the scorching sun and sent his child to school performed an act of greatness. That child, who later navigates global corporate corridors or educational leadership, builds upon that greatness.

The fruit does not compete with the root.

As Isaac Newton humbly remarked, “If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants.” Our parents are those giants.

Evolution, Not Rivalry

The real question is not whether we are better than our parents, but whether we are worthy of their sacrifices. Have we honoured their struggles by becoming responsible, ethical, compassionate human beings? Have we preserved values while embracing change?

In many Indian homes, the intergenerational dialogue often oscillates between nostalgia and impatience:
– “In our time, we never spoke back.”

– “In your time, things were simpler.”

Both statements are true — and incomplete.
Times were simpler, yes, but opportunities were fewer. Today’s youth enjoy liberty, but carry invisible burdens of comparison and performance. Our parents built stability; we are called to build sustainability — emotional, social, environmental.

The Silent Inheritance

There are certain inheritances with no bank records:
1. The habit of rising early.

2. The discipline of finishing what one starts.

3. The reverence for education.

4. The belief in God or in goodness.

5. The courage to endure quietly.

These are not outdated virtues. They are timeless anchors.

As someone who has seen decades of change in education and society, I often feel that each generation must refine, not reject, the previous one. We polish the diamond they mined.

So, Can We Do Better?

Yes — but only if “better” means wiser, kinder, and more balanced.

We may earn more, travel more, and know more. But unless we also love more, respect more, and endure more, progress remains hollow.

– Let us not compete with our parents; let us complete them.

– Let us not measure success only by height, but by roots.

– Let us remember that a tree grows taller not by denying its soil, but by drawing strength from it.

They walked so we could run,
They were saved so we could spend,
They prayed so we could dream,
They endured so we could ascend.

If we must outgrow them,
Let it be in gratitude, not pride;
For every step we take ahead
They walk beside us — inside.

In the end, generations are not rivals in a race. They are chapters in the same book — each incomplete without the other.