On Dashain Aashirbaads
May you marry early too.
Sure, generational gap is an absolutely visible phenomenon. But it never gets as prominent, especially during festivals when the cultural scripts carry over from the older to the younger. It is especially fun given that there is often a ‘bridge’ generation in the middle, trying to make sure that none of the sides get emotionally hurt.
The grandparents say - get married early. The parents say - after you are done with your Masters degree. The children say - I don’t want to study.
The grandparents say - don’t get angry. The parents say - you can if someone really does injustice to you. The children say - don’t make me angry, dear grandparents.
The grandparents say - be happy. The parents say - yes, be happy. The children say - I want to be happy, but can’t.
All the year, the family is silent. Wishes are kept hidden. And it is during the festive occasion, particularly during Dashain, when the unilateral wishes of the elderly find their way inside the minds of the grandchildren. To keep the sanctity of the festival, the younglings keep mum. It is emotionally devastating. It is terribly sickening.
Plus, the dreadful PhD and its worthless value that so many find endearing for some apparently unknown reason. If someone older tells you do a PhD in your early twenties, tell them that they are of the right age for a PhD. Maybe they have the clarity of what they are interested in at that age? Isn’t that the purpose of a PhD? To dive deeper and deeper and deeper till you find something and then ultimately lose yourself?
All the sarcasm aside, I am glad that Dashain has come and gone. Until next year, dear readers, till the same questions since ‘time immemorial’ return back to haunt us. Have some ice-cream, you deserve it!