On course with amazing interactive sessions with notable writers and orators from across India, Cultural Rendezvous was up for a welcome to the summers, with another interesting interactive session – a unique interview under the Kalam series, under the auspices of Prabha Khaitan Foundation.

Dr. Swati Lodha, author of “Don’t Raise Your Children, Raise Yourself”, was on the drivers seat, when she was interviewed by her husband, Shailesh Lodha (of the famed “Tarak Mehta ka Ooltha Chashma“), at Radisson Blu on 5th March.  Shailesh, apart from being recognized for the TV show Tarak Mehta ka Ooltha Chashma, is also an established anchor and poet.

The stage was set for an amazing interaction, with the couple facing a room full of audience audience in the presence of Kumar Lakshya Raj Singh Mewar.

Having penned the Hindi poem “ek bat teri, ek baat meri” – Dr Swati touched upon the relationship between the Moon, the Lunar Mansion and Parenting (bringing up ones children).  She elaborated that the cycle followed by the Moon in the Lunar cycle, from being a Crescent till the Full Moon and then the reverse cycle which ends with Amavasya, is somewhat similar to the  parenting cycle.

The parent acts like the Full Moon (Poonam) when the child is an infant and during the child’s younger days.  Gradually, as the child grows into a teenager and then into an adult, the parental dominance fades like the Full Moon getting into oblivion.  However, even after fading into oblivion, when the child needs the parent, they once again rise like the Moon – ready to shower their child with care and support.

As per Swati, a prevalent feeling among the older generation (parent) is that children of today are not very receptive to the guidance or orders given by parents – our culture defines respect for parents as treating the word of parents as final and binding and any deviation from the same as disrespect, which should not be the case.  It is important for the parent to perform the parenting role as a friend – with proper dialogue, rather than power.  Discipline not withstanding, the parent should control and knows what is right or wrong for the child, but that is the case till the child is grown up enough to act on his own.  Setting unrealistic expectations from children is another reason that causes disappointment, both for the child and for the parent.

Also present at the event were members of Prabha Khaitan foundation, as well as parents of both Dr Swati Lodha and Shailesh Lodha.  Dr Swati handed over signed copies of her book to those present in the audience and both she and Shailesh interacted with audience after the interview was over.  Shailesh entertained the audience with his tongue in cheek oration and comic timing.