I teach my kids about unity in diversity: Tara Sharma Saluja
As a mother of two young sons — Zen (11) and Kai (9), Tara Sharma Saluja is aware that what she teaches them now is going to play a crucial role in what kind of people they grow up to become. Even when it comes to Independence Day, the actor and her husband, entrepreneur Roopak Saluja, make sure that the meaning of the importance of the national holiday doesn’t get overlooked.
“We speak about Independence Day with our kids exactly as we do with each other, and school explains it all, too. They understand these concepts and the history behind it. We also explain the need to celebrate unity in diversity and the beauty of India’s secular pluralistic fabric. Respect for all whether similar or different,” she says.
The Page 3 (2005) and Khosla Ka Ghosla! (2006) and actor also tells us that her children’s grandfather has also been of great help in making them understand the relevance of Independence Day.
“My dad, Partap Sharma, wrote a wonderful play, Sammy, about the man behind the Mahatma, which has been a lovely way to teach the kids about Gandhiji, too,” the 43year-old shares.
The definition of freedom, too, has taken a drastic turn in this pandemic, and it has been especially difficult for kids as well. But the actor says that her boys have been quite resilient.
“I’m quite amazed that they have not really complained. Children just live in the present moment and they get on with it. Of course, occasionally they do miss their outdoor football practice and matches, but by and large, they have been positive,” she shares.
And that’s why it’s more
Juhi Chakraborty
important than ever before to respect the concept of freedom, feels the actor.
“A huge thanks to all the brave freedom fighters who got India her freedom. Independence to me means freedom and choice... Freedom for the nation to be governed democratically and not be dictated. And for all inhabitants to have freedom of expression, freedom of belief , freedom to be who they want to be, as long as none of these freedoms harm another,” she concludes.
Actors Karanvir Bohra and Teejay Sidhu are making sure that their three-old-year twin daughters , Bella and Vienna — who take over the internet whenever the couple shares their cute videos — understand their Indian culture. Bohra reveals they make their daughters listen to the National Anthem every day. “They’re still too young to understand what patriotism is, but it’s a good time to start teaching them about our culture and history. I’ve started teaching them Jana Gana Mana. I make them watch it on YouTube every day. Whenever it plays, they start singing along,” the 37-year-old tells us.
Meanwhile, the couple are not rushing into introducing their daughters, who were born in Canada, to the freedom fighters of India. He says, “They are too young to understand... But yes, after the National Anthem, that’s next.”
The one ritual which Bohra says he has followed every Independence Day as a child, is the flag hoisting ceremony. “Since childhood, I’d attend wherever the flag would be hoisted, and Bella and Vienna, too, do the same. I’m sure somewhere, deep down in their soul, they understand the significance,” shares the actor.
With the pandemic taking away the freedom of mobility, what is Bohra’s understanding of freedom? “This lockdown has taught us that freedom isn’t about celebrating August 15 or January 26... it’s about respecting your space, and everything around. This was the first time we were all cocooned in our houses. We
TARA SHARMA SALUJA ACTOR
Rishabh Suri
had been taking everything for granted — the freedom of going to office, for groceries, walking on the road, driving a car, going to the gym... Now, we realise what freedom actually is,” he admits. Patriotism and jingoism, however, feels the actor, are totally different, and there’s a very fine line. The former, he says, is the love for your country, irrespective of who comes in or goes out. “You stand up for your country when anybody says anything, you clean your surroundings — that’s love for your country, keeping things positive. It’s like loving your home space. Somebody attacks it, you fight back. Something as simple as what happened with China and India. It was a very small thing in the scheme of things, but I felt I should stop using any Chinese apps. If anyone does something to my family, will I talk to that person or take their help? No,” he says.