Nice to sip the coffee Sir .. from the US and not from Namma Bengaluru, but the aroma is still the same .. blame it on the brew master :)
that statement "Some mention is made of his parents’ names, but without a face to put them on. My mother’s parents too are just names. I have been told where they came from, but I never had the satisfaction of visiting those small towns and trying to trace their roots" resonates well with many of us who are now in the process of tracing the roots. We the cousins have put effort to collate details of my grand parents and their parents, and have been able to trace it to 5 generations and in the process meeting many persons who are now "related".
this reading is really enriching and hope the next generations will keep their link with the past generation to keep the Ancestry intact and ensure that the root is alive - Like the branches on a tree we all grow in different directions and yet our roots remain the same - and linked.
thanks one again and congrats on becoming a "Thatha"
I didn’t expect this post from you as you are in USA. However, I must say that I enjoyed the post from USA.
The question of whether there is an ancestor hanging in the hall or on a wall further inside our home is indeed very relevant. I really didn’t think of it that way. True there is no ancestor in the living hall in my home and also true that there is the work of a lesser known painter occupying the pride of place on the hall wall. Thanks for that observation, I wonder if you have a camera in my home, as you described my living room fairly well. A visit from you and your wife to my place is long overdue and I hope I will have that privilege sooner than later. Congratulations on the birth of your granddaughter.
Many of us, were too busy building a career that we did not enjoy bringing up our child the way we wanted to. Grandchildren is a wonderful opportunity to make good that missed opportunity. My grandchildren enjoy being with their grandmother so much that I feel like an outcast. In fact we have an inner room whose wall is plastered with the pictures of my grandchildren when they were in the US. ( I am sure you will have one soon at your home if you don't already have one). My mother is at our home but my grandchildren hardly speaks to her (their great grandmother) because of the language problem, though my mother can speak and understand English fairly well.
I like the statement of yours “Like the branches on a tree we all grow in different directions and yet our roots remain the same.” Fully agree. Have tried to get my grandchildren interested in their roots and their ancestry, but they seem to be least interested.
I remember reading somewhere “By the time you realize that your dad was right, you have a son who feels that his dad is wrong”. I guess it will always be so. That’s, unfortunately, is part of life. By the time they realize that they should have known more about their ancestry, we, through whom they could have learned about their ancestry, would be history. That's part of life too.
Finding one's roots is a good way to understand the formation of one's identity. But what one chooses to make of oneself....well, the ball is in one's own court. One can't rest on the laurels of one's ancestors or blame them.
Congrats Pras on the new bundle of joy in your life. The need for a sense of belonging is basic to man. In today's fast paced global living its even more so. Roots provide that spiritual, cultural and emotional anchor. Lucky are those who get the love and affection of grand parents and great grand parents.
Many thanks Pras! This is beautifully written. Also Congratulations on the birth of your granddaughter and may God bless her with a happy, healthy, successful long life. The article did make me ponder about my roots.
Nice to sip the coffee Sir .. from the US and not from Namma Bengaluru, but the aroma is still the same .. blame it on the brew master :)
that statement "Some mention is made of his parents’ names, but without a face to put them on. My mother’s parents too are just names. I have been told where they came from, but I never had the satisfaction of visiting those small towns and trying to trace their roots" resonates well with many of us who are now in the process of tracing the roots. We the cousins have put effort to collate details of my grand parents and their parents, and have been able to trace it to 5 generations and in the process meeting many persons who are now "related".
this reading is really enriching and hope the next generations will keep their link with the past generation to keep the Ancestry intact and ensure that the root is alive - Like the branches on a tree we all grow in different directions and yet our roots remain the same - and linked.
thanks one again and congrats on becoming a "Thatha"
Sir, very happy to read FC-101. Nicely written.
Thanks Hemant
Nice Pm! We need to have a written biography of thatha with several testimonials for posterity! I think that should be your next project!
Welcome back, Filter Coffee! Happy times with the new grandchild and the family, Pras!
Thank you Shashi.
I didn’t expect this post from you as you are in USA. However, I must say that I enjoyed the post from USA.
The question of whether there is an ancestor hanging in the hall or on a wall further inside our home is indeed very relevant. I really didn’t think of it that way. True there is no ancestor in the living hall in my home and also true that there is the work of a lesser known painter occupying the pride of place on the hall wall. Thanks for that observation, I wonder if you have a camera in my home, as you described my living room fairly well. A visit from you and your wife to my place is long overdue and I hope I will have that privilege sooner than later. Congratulations on the birth of your granddaughter.
Many of us, were too busy building a career that we did not enjoy bringing up our child the way we wanted to. Grandchildren is a wonderful opportunity to make good that missed opportunity. My grandchildren enjoy being with their grandmother so much that I feel like an outcast. In fact we have an inner room whose wall is plastered with the pictures of my grandchildren when they were in the US. ( I am sure you will have one soon at your home if you don't already have one). My mother is at our home but my grandchildren hardly speaks to her (their great grandmother) because of the language problem, though my mother can speak and understand English fairly well.
I like the statement of yours “Like the branches on a tree we all grow in different directions and yet our roots remain the same.” Fully agree. Have tried to get my grandchildren interested in their roots and their ancestry, but they seem to be least interested.
I remember reading somewhere “By the time you realize that your dad was right, you have a son who feels that his dad is wrong”. I guess it will always be so. That’s, unfortunately, is part of life. By the time they realize that they should have known more about their ancestry, we, through whom they could have learned about their ancestry, would be history. That's part of life too.
Wow! Shahji! Beautifully written! It in many ways supplements my post. You also touch the emotional chord. Thank you Bro.
Finding one's roots is a good way to understand the formation of one's identity. But what one chooses to make of oneself....well, the ball is in one's own court. One can't rest on the laurels of one's ancestors or blame them.
Excellent observations. Thank you.
How blessed you are to become a grandparent.
Thank you!!
Congratulations 😊 After a month I really enjoyed the filter coffee ☺️ I feel Roots are sooo important your identity and grandparents influence on us.
Loved the article
Thank you so much.
Congrats Pras on the new bundle of joy in your life. The need for a sense of belonging is basic to man. In today's fast paced global living its even more so. Roots provide that spiritual, cultural and emotional anchor. Lucky are those who get the love and affection of grand parents and great grand parents.
Thank you and we'll said Tarun
Many thanks Pras! This is beautifully written. Also Congratulations on the birth of your granddaughter and may God bless her with a happy, healthy, successful long life. The article did make me ponder about my roots.
Thank you!! Much appreciated
Thanks Kapil