Sharma Ji, ka beta

Sharma Ji proudly told me the other day, “My son has settled abroad.”

I said, “So good to hear that.” (I felt jealous)

Sharma Ji said, “My son has asked me to visit him. Soon we will be traveling aboard.”

I said, “That is very nice.” (I felt more jealous)

Sharma Ji had posted many pictures on Facebook. That day, I decided my son should also settle abroad. I said to my son, “Everything you need will be provided, food on the table, and no household responsibilities. You just focus on your studies to get a higher education and job abroad.”

My son also got fascinated when his foreign settled friends told him glorious stories; living conditions, no more nagging from parents, high salary, better opportunities, etc.

Unfortunately, he could not clear the exams at the first attempt. He said to me, “I can’t do it. I will find a job here in India.”

I said, “Have you gone mad? Try again. I will support you and manage all the needed money somehow. What is here in India? After so much hard work, what we get – pennies, difficult living conditions, and a rigid culture. There is no value to life here; high crime rate, corruption, and people die due to others’ negligence and proper treatment”.

My son said, “But we cannot cheat death, whether I am here in India or any other part of the world.”

I quieted him by saying, “Don’t make excuses.”

I borrowed some money and got him the best coaching. My son finally got it though. He needed more money to settle himself abroad. I used all my savings. 

Now I can also proudly tell everyone, and to Sharma Ji, “My son has settled abroad too” (This feels so good).

After two years, my son invited me to his home. He has a family now. I was very excited about going there with my wife. I posted all the pictures on Whatsapp and Facebook of my trip, starting from the airport to his beautiful home. I got many comments. I felt my trip was successful.

After a month, it became all so boring. I was eager to come back to my home, India. For the first time, I realized how much I love my country. Here things are not perfect, yet people are innocent and kind, they can be sensitive and can be touching sometimes, but these emotions are their strength too.

People have a big heart to give away food every day to dogs, birds, and ants. Free food at every corner of the street (Langar) on religious occasions, almost every month. People are more relaxed. In India, family means parents, children, grandparents, mother’s and father’s brothers and sisters and their families too. Also, we don’t need any invitations to visit our family.

Coming back home to my country, I never felt so good before. Even the traffic noise seemed to be a pleasant song. Although I enjoyed posting my pictures, I was happy to be back home and chatting with Sharma Ji. “Foreign vacations are good but not for long”.

Sharma Ji, “I agree” (It came straight from his heart)

My son visits India once a year with his family on vacation. He enjoys visiting relatives and friends, sleeps most of the time, and eats mom-made food which he misses the most. 

In our difficult times, neighbors and relatives support us. Often, Sharma Ji and I enjoy discussing that children are selfish. Sharma ji is my best friend.