I see an active Hindu father who has shared his genuine concern. If Civilizational Twitter (let's not use RW) is going to jump and shut the door on any potential discussion, we will not be able to get millions of real-life Hindus on board in the important task ahead of us

1/n https://twitter.com/snehalchokshi/status/1330040492113977344

We are all in different stages of awakening to our Hindu-ness. A person whose eyes are just being opened will not see things in the same way that another person with a head-start of a few years in traversing this path will be able to. Everyday we process new info. We get clarity.

Hindu parents also need hand-holding just like children do. Many of us were raised in turn by parents who cut us off from Hindu rituals - very often, unknowingly and under the mistaken impression that they were modernizing us; making us fit for the world we will inhabit

3/n

While we have benefited enormously from the tough stance of people who are traditional and good enough to share their learning and insights here, there are many parents who really want to learn, but are not yet humble enough,nor open-minded enough to unlearn/relearn. Not yet.
4/n

Coming back to the point, kids need not enjoy shraadh ceremony. We don't need to tinker with its solemnity either. If they are involved in Ganesh puja at home; if they lend a hand in puja/naivedyam prep, they will- when the time comes- be able to sit through shraadh ceremony too.

Even our grandmother's generation secretly passed on sweets n savouries for children who couldn't wait for shraadh ceremony to be over before eating. Maturity happens somewhere along the way. Seriousness sets in before we realize how the years go by. No need to jump the gun.
6/n

The real Q's to ask are - are my kids comfortable wearing traditional clothes? Are they happy wearing symbols of Hindu-ness: the tilak, the bindi, the thread on wrist for vratams? Do they love Hindu stories/gods and jump to defend Hindu customs, uncaring of what others think?
7/n

If kids have a deep connection to Hindu-ness in any way(classical arts,bonds with grandparents),if they can light a lamp,say shlokas everyday, participate in festivals,are proud of their heritage n have learnt to be feisty in communicating it...they are where they should be.
8/n