" Can I ever value and declare ‘marks’ for the kindness my child has often shown? "

Publication: The Times Of India Kolkata;

Date: Feb 6, 2011;

Section: Times Life;

Page: 34

Full marks for mydaughter!

As the minutes tick by for her daughter’s results, Jyothi Bharat Divgi awards her marks for being a perfect child



    IT was 10.58 am, two minutes to go before the SSC results were declared online. I stood before the computer holding my 15-year-old child against my bosom. She was sobbing bitterly and so helplessly. As the seconds ticked by agonisingly slow, I held her tight. I wiped her tears gently, brushed aside mine, swallowed the lump in my throat and told her softly, “No matter what percentage this machine declares, to me you always are and will be a one hundred per cent child.” I meant every word.

    It really did not matter what she scored. I love her for what she is. But, to her, it meant the world. How can a mother convince her child that she is more precious than what an Education Board declares? Words seemed so futile. All I could do is hold her sobbing body against mine and pray.

    Can I ever value and declare ‘marks’ for the kindness my child has often shown? Even as a toddler, she would rush to help an injured animal. Two weeks ago, when a stray kitten was mauled by a tomcat, she had nursed it till its last breath. It was a Sunday, but she cajoled the vet to come down and look at the kitten. Not content with the diagnosis, she called up good old animal lover and vet Gourish Padukone to seek his advice long distance!

    Can I ever put it in numbers and decimals and give it a value, the time she carved out of her busy SSC year to play the keyboard at a concert for

the adorable children of

Ekalavya, a school for the

children of sex workers?

And the times she cleaned up my room? Can I ever give ‘marks’ to the love she showers on everyone she meets, such as giving chocolates to Madhavi, the flower vendor round the corner!

    When such a flawless child, ever so caring and giving, weeps her heart out just in terror of anticipating her SSC results, what can be more painful for a mother? The two minutes passed by slowly. A few seconds after 11am, the computer declared she passed with distinction.

True, her joy matters. But I also know this temporary euphoria will eventually fade away with time. What will remain is the fact that she will continue to be a hundred per cent child — loving, caring, giving. And this is true for every child, no matter what the results declare.

(Soul Curry is a column where we invite our readers to

share their soul-stirring experiences)

timeslife@timesgroup.com