RENAISSANCE OF NARMAD NAGARI......
I have been blessed with a daughter who will turn 16 this October. Last fortnight has made her wiser but made me even more so. I belong to that generation of parents in Tapi town who educated themselves in parenthood to raise their children.

We know Dr. Spock’s guidelines like the back of our hands, we figured out and followed vaccination schedules smoothly, we pronounced phonics to help them to spell better, and we make sure we give the best possible exposure of music, books and art to our kids.

We also understood what Kahlil Gibran meant when he wrote,’ you may give your children your love but not your thoughts; for they have their own, you may house their bodies but not their souls, for, their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow, which you cannot visit even in your dreams. You may strive to be like them, but seek not to make them like you. For life goes not backwards nor tarries with yesterday. ‘

So, In the process of raising them we too learnt. Social networking means being net savvy, writing skills meant speedy sms, colour combination meant purple and yellow nailpolish, noodle and spaghetti meant clothes not food, food is something that comes in a box, delivered piping hot in 30 minutes. In short we learnt to,’chill the pep’ and we thought we were doing a pretty good job with parenting.
Then, this summer, Surat witnessed the heat of a different kind of dilemma.

Murder and gang rapes was something that happened in reel life during our growing up years, but our children have had to face this harsh reality in real life, right in their neighbourhoods! To make matters worse, these crimes were committed by the youth.

Surti parents who always knew what was right for their children were left totally clueless as to how to handle this situation. As panic replaced shock and our elders did what they do best, gave us a lesson or two in,’how much freedom is too much freedom’, ‘don’t clip their wings,give them the strength of more love’, we knew deep down in was time for introspection.

We grew up in this town where Ghoddod road meant bicycle racing, Rander meant’ Ponk and Hollywood movies,’ ’Varachha meant going to watch the circus,’Chowpatty meant garden and stationary’,’ various sheris meant’ Ganpati and Navratri’ and Dumas meant Beach and Picnic.
Our children on the other hand might know these very areas as places for underage driving, lover hotspots, bootlegging, pollution, black money, organised crimes etc.

These are issues that we Surtis have to deal with ourselves, if we seek a better future for our kids.

We belong to the city of veer kavi Narmad known as,’arvachino ma aadya’ [first amongst the modern].Known for modernity, romanticism, he was revolutionary in the field of social reforms for removing ills from the society.

Even as he painfully penned ‘aa te shu tuj haal Surat’,so also he wrote,’vaank nathi kai tuj,vaank toh disha tano re,asamani aafat tethi aa rol banyo re,Tapi dakshin tatey, Surat muj ghayal bhoomi,maney ghanu abhimaan ,bhoy mey taari chumi.’

Let’s turn our town as he called it-Surat sona ni murat.

VICTIM TO VICTOR-SALUTE TO SURTI VALOUR....................
Pessimists would say that whensoever our town makes it to the national news headlines, it is inadvertently for the wrong reasons. Be it plague, floods or the heinous, audacious sexual assault on a minor, last Friday.
True blue Surtis on the other hand, however, will look right back into the eye of pessimists and answer, that we Surtis are valiant enough to turn around the worst situation and come out ,shining as victors. After the plague we went on to become one of India’s cleanest city, after the floods, we emerged as the fastest growing city in the world. After initial shock, numbness and anger post the dastardly, cowardly act of three of the most inhuman, spineless monsters, denizens of Tapi town have decided enough is enough and pledged to make it the safest town in the world.

If there is one family that our town owes to and owes it big time, it is the stalwarts who have shown great valour to bring the culprits to book. In a situation where most others would have spent all savings to hush up the state of affairs, these brave Surtis took a small, tough step towards justice and a giant step towards the benefit of all citizens.

Look how the intrepid action of this fearless family, turned things around. The scheming scoundrels had threatened in the name of law, now that very law is on the side of their prey, the impudent idiots had scared to blackmail with an electronic tool, now that very clipping is the weapon against them; the rapacious rascals thought this was about power play, now they grovel for cover, trembling in terror.

Never has Surat bared its fangs more angrily than it has in the past few days. We might be famous for our ‘chalya karey’’attitude but try and rub us the wrong way and you have had it. Surtis are proud of their town and their culture, they have good faith in their children and they treat the city as their extended home. If the lawmakers cannot provide that safety to the citizens, it’s a shame on them.

A word here to people who pass callous statements to sensationalize the incident, shut your eyes and imagine your daughter/sister there that should be enough to shut you up.

A request here to the politicians, from the public that elects them; kindly leave out trying to assault our sensibilities by trying to politicise this issue. Surtis stand united as one against these unpardonable criminals.

A demand here from the judicial system, let law take its course, but we want justice and we want it fast.

A gentle, tender message to the daughter of Tapi town-
Dearest child,
Bravo! We Surtis salute you. Had it not been for the strength you have shown, many more children would have been harmed. We are so proud of you. There was a time when we grew up here, carefree and dauntless, that changed with time, unfortunately, but your fearless footsteps will now once again make sure that Surat is a safe haven and no ugly men with uglier minds can ever change that. Whatever happened was NOT your fault. Do not let it crush your spirit, ever. You are our pride. Hold your head high and take good care of yourself. Peace be with you and your family, always.