So my nephew (age 5) inquired about a silly, yet the most powerful questions of all – during a recent family get-together at our grandparents’ house – situated in the beautiful countryside of Punjab. “Hey Mom if it is so beautiful, so peaceful here then why do we have to go live in Delhi?” The question was more than enough to understand all the indignation, the struggle his little mind was going through in the chaotic, baffled life in Delhi. Poor kid doesn’t know that there is another option for his childhood, an option that is, maybe, far better. But I do. In Delhi, he isn’t deprived socially – but is perhaps deprived in many other ways:

1. Yes they will lose their innocence far too early than we did; they will become streetwise years before we did. This gentrification, this urbanization will make them loose their freedom for no good – and this leaves me with indignation!

2. Where we still get puzzled travelling in metro – kids have already learnt the art of ferrying around – sipping babyccinos in nonchalantly taxis. They don’t even flinch at police sirens – yes, they are Delhiites and Mumbaikars already! Poor unfortunates!