As I See the New Generation of Indian Champions

Lots of Indian kids,

from this generation

are making a splash

on the global stage—

Beauty pageant, swimming,

movies, chess, shooting..

Champions!

Their parents are grinning

from ear to ear.

One thing is common—

they are quite privileged,

and their parents,

are fully involved.

Taking them to venues,

hovering like hawks.

I think of my life,

decades back,

a rural kid,

my ambiance my stifling.

I painted to feel better,

but my father discouraged it.

“Do math instead,” he said.

When I needed to travel,

to appear for tests,

he wasn’t keen on taking me.

Mothers were meek,

in that culture—

and they were not outgoing.

Boyfriends were not allowed,

in that orthodox setup.

Despite hard work,

we lacked in resources

we never got the opportunity.

Whatever I achieved

came from pushing myself,

through sheer courage,

no cheerleader around,

rather critics and detractors,

gaslighting galore.

So when I see,

these global champions,

I don’t feel envy,

but I do question:

Is it really their triumph?

Or are they molded

by their parents,

who are not leaving,

any stones unturned,

to see them succeed.