Letters To Koko

 Dear Koko,  When I was young I heard these stories of my father growing up with so many siblings and cousins in the same house. They would be running around the village enjoying themselves like there is no tomorrow. My mother's side had similar stories - of festivals and bhai phonta.  I grew up as a single child but always had cousins around me, at least in the same city. So if it was a birthday or a family function, you would have those familiar faces who you could look at as you were cornered by a pesky relative and they could make you smile from across the room. Sometimes I think about you and feel such a secluded childhood you are having. Your cousins are in different cities, in different parts of the world. you don't really know them. The other day you tell me, "when we go to Kolkata this time will we visit my cousins?" "Which ones" I ask.  "The ones who had a dog named Goochie" You were referring to a friend's kids. I correct you and you...

 Dear Koko,  Never listen to those people who tell you you are too old to do something. You are never too old for anything, be it trying out new things, go on a trampoline or have ice cream. The fact that sometimes I tell you you are too young for some things holds true but. Just because I am doing something does not mean you can do it, simply because your are too young - this includes watching some shows! Yes that includes Money Heist.  Very honestly that is nota problem, soon you will reach that age when you can do all these things and for the larger part of your life you will be doing those things. It will be the things you can freely do now which become a luxury as you grow up. There will be people who will try to put you in boxes and tell you that you are mad for trying to do these things as it is not your age etcetera, etcetera. Don’t listen to them.  So let me tell you a story, this is a story I recently came across myself. This is the story of an Indian track...

 Hi Koko,   In the first couple of months of the pandemic, we were all very fearful and cautious. But truly nothing had prepared us for these prolonged months indoors. It’s been more than a year now that you have not gone to school. Oh you are getting schooled alright, online classes, new mode of teaching and assessments are all in place. But nothing can beat the actual school. I wouldn’t trade a day less for my school and I am really sad you are missing out on these precious days when you first make friends and run out and about with them. No, I am not coming from a place of “this is the time when you make true friends” and all that, there is no age to it. The kind of lively person that you are you will make friends wherever you go.  I still remember when you were in LKG there was a classmate of yours who had difficulty in communicating, and you of all the 40 children in class had taken it upon yourself to help him out. Your teacher was so happy to inform that no one had...

Dear Koko,  There is a question which was asked very often when I was a child. It was one of those questions adults would throw your way and expect you to give a very intelligent answer. “What will you be when you grow up?” I want to be a doctor or I want to be an engineer were obvious prime picks back then. I believe they still are. It shows your ambition or industriousness. I found it difficult to answer always. How is a 10-year old supposed to know which way life would take her? I am not very sure I still know the answer of what I want to become, or what is my true calling. I see so many people in my immediate vicinity who are still struggling with this question. They are every successful mind you, in the eyes of the world. Earning fat sums of money, owning houses and cars and everything the heart fancies. Some of these people are still little boys and girls trying to figure out their lives.  So, no pressure. Do what you want. This is the reason why I never ask you this que...