Happy Children's Day to the Grown-ups!

"Ye daulat bhi le lo, ye shohrat bhi le lo
Bhale chhin lo mujhse meri jawaani
Magar mujhko lauta do bachpan ka saawan
Wo kaagaz kikashti, wo baarish ka paani..."

(Take away my wealth and fame
You may even take my youth
But please return the monsoon of my childhood
That paper made boat, and the rain in which I used to play in...)

I am sure this song echoes the feelings of not just me, but many grown-ups. We all longed to grow up fast in our childhood days. We thought at that time that adulthood was real fun. After all, there will be no more school, no more scolding by our parents, no more exams. And most important of all, there will be freedom for us. We'll free to lead our life the way we want, finally. But when we grow up finally, how we miss our childhood. That's the irony of life.

Today the whole country is celebrating Children's Day. My son, who is a student of a reputed English medium school of pre-primary, received a chocolate, one pencil and one eraser as his Children's Day gift from school yesterday. Today he has a holiday on account of the same. Needless to say, he is ecstatic with joy. My mother, who is a school teacher, was preparing her speech on the occasion of Children's Day. All the grown-up parents of little children are availing discounts to celebrate Children's Day. I myself ordered some t-shirts for my son online, which were available at great discounts on the same occasion. These made me wonder about the little child that resides in all of us. This Children's Day, why not pamper the children in us? For a moment, just forget that you are an adult. Think like u often thought a few decades back. Today, do not think twice before getting drenched a little in the rain. Or you may try floating paper-boats in a puddle of water. Pamper your taste-buds little bit and savour some laddu or rosogolla. Treat yourself with a few extra hot panipuris. Read your favourite childhood fairy-tale once more. Turn on the television and watch a cartoon show you loved once. What was it? Mickey mouse or Tom & Jerry? Forget those drab formal dresses and wear a colourful dress to office today. Let the child in you live a long life.

Here's wishing HaPpy ChiLDreN's DaY to all the grown-ups! Go back to your childhood once again. Help to make the world a better place for today's children. After all, there's nothing as innocent as childhood.