A Belief

Raising a child is a delicate task. One wrong move and the child could be scarred forever.

I wanted Ponnu to know and depend upon a force beyond us, her parents and other family members. An energy that she could call upon in times of need and feel secure. I wanted to introduce God into my child's life. But what religion is God, I wondered. I did not want Ponnu to have any confusion or compulsion in this regard. So I would take the little Ponnu to the altar at home and observe what her dad and I was doing -- pray. She was free to pray or simply look at the glowing lamps.

As Ponnu grew up to understand things better, I have asked on a few occasions, "Will you light the evening lamp today?" Most days her answer was in the negative. For her dad and me, that was not a matter of concern. Yet, on rare occasions I worried. For, if my child did not believe in a God, where would she draw her strength from in times of need?

Sometimes Ponnu visits a temple close to home. When I ask her the reason for the sudden visit, she says either the idol there is beautiful or she `felt like it'. Ponnu's dad feels it is a non-issue and asks, "Does it really matter whether we formally call out or pay obeisance to God?" Each of us must make the choice, he says. I have learnt to respect Ponnu's.