Recently we found an article doing the rounds on what’s app that essentially was lamenting how during their prime days parents encourage their children to study well and go abroad for their higher studies managing somehow the enormous cost of tuition fee and living expenses but once the children complete their studies, most often they get a job in those countries and settle down there.

The parents feel proud on the accomplishment of their children often boasting in social circles. Initially these parents visit such children abroad few times and feel quite happy. As the parents grow older the responsibility of maintaining contact falls on the children who for some time visit parents for a limited period of time, apparently because of a tight work schedule, costs of traveling etc.

Subsequently as the families of such children grow along with responsibilities and expenses, these people are not able to give ample time to their parents who have mostly no one to look after them in old age. Such people experience great loneliness as well as helplessness during times of health crises. The article goes on to explore various options to tackle this problem including legislation that compels children to take adequate care of old parents or even recalling such people from abroad after certain years.

In view of my father such thoughts of legislation etc are absurd. These are not only impracticable but also infringe on individual liberty. According to Baba, the love between parents and children is one way, without involving any expectation. The parents have a duty to work for the welfare of their children without expecting anything in return, Baba always strongly felt and said. This does not mean that parents need to reject any goodwill gesture or acts of support from children to their parents. It only means that parents must not obstruct the progress of their children on any ground including health or monetary support or emotional fulfillment. Parents are meant always to extend their good wishes and all possible support to their children without expecting anything in return. Parents must always feel happy on achievements and accomplishment of their children while managing their own affairs by themselves even if it entails any hardships. Only such a way to look at the parent child relationship can be called an ideal type.

Such were the honest views of Daddy and he was also able to train his own children with such selfless approach in life. Baba’s ideal thoughts on all subjects can become the corner stone of a truly civilized society with empathy, sacrifice and goodwill and without any conflict.