Roots and Wings

Each one of us endeavours to provide the best she can for her children. However the definition of best may vary for each individual. For one where it may mean a treasure trove, for another it may be a lifetime effort to provide the best education possible while yet another might believe it to be a set of values.

Not undermining the importance of each considering the important role they all play in our lives, I agree to the saying that the two greatest things one may gift her child are The Roots and The Wings. Roots to remind where he or she belongs and wings to realise what one can become.

Just as I say this, I am reminded of a message doing rounds on Whatsapp with a video clipping of Mrs Sudha Murthy, wife of one of India's richest men, Mr Narayan Murthy, an Indian IT industrialist and co-founder of Infosys, being interviewed on one of the television channels.

Dressed in a simple white saree and adorning silver hair in the video, Mrs Murthy is being asked about her plainness and simplicity and how unlike most others she is not wearing wealth on her sleeves and how despite all the name, fame and money does she remain grounded.

As beautiful, as she looks in that simple look she wears all the time, is her reply to the anchor. She says she is the way she is because she is not a rich man’s daughter and coming from a distinguished academic background family she was never lured or fascinated by money and never felt the need to prove anything to anyone.

Known for living a very simple life and running various NGOs, Mrs Sudha Murthy, is the perfect example of one with strong roots and high-flying wings.

While the wings enable one to reach soaring heights and accomplishing great successes, roots help one to remain grounded, humble and compassionate.

Much as we are attached to our children and many-a-times feel compelled by our own desires to direct them in a certain direction, it is essential that we give them wings and let them explore the highest arenas and even venture into the unknown.

At the same time it is essential that their roots be strong so that they keep in touch with reality and not let the success or wealth get to their head and exposure lose their balance.