Karnal, September 20: Today, during Pitru Paksha, we are paying tribute to our ancestors by offering tarpan (offerings of water). But it's worth pondering: are the rituals performed after death truly meaningful for parents who didn't receive time, affection, and respect during their lifetime? Changing lifestyles and broken relationships have denied the elderly the place they deserve.
Not just in Karnal, but from different parts of the country, reports of the disrespect and exploitation of the elderly continue to emerge. Sadly, those who exploit them are none other than their own children. In a country like India, where the tradition of "Matru Devo Bhava" (mother is God) and "Pitru Devo Bhava" (father is God), where heaven was believed to lie at the feet of parents, today changing mindsets, nuclear families, and the hustle and bustle have led them to old-age homes.
A few days ago, a family was seen placing their parents' photographs under a tree in a park in Karnal. This scene symbolizes the changing mindset and insensitivity. In luxurious houses, where only "we two, our two" live, there's no space even for a photo of our parents. It used to be the tradition that we lived with our parents; now our parents "live" with us. The new generation doesn't even have time to sit with their elders.
Elderly parents are asking for donations of time and affection. They are the roots of the family. No matter how large a tree is, it can flourish only if its roots are strong. Why weren't the ancestors being offered tarpan during this Shraddha season given their favorite food, clothing, and respect while they were alive? In someone's words, "They craved clothes while they were alive, what good will giving clothes now? They craved food while they were alive, what will happen to the dishes after they die?"
Today's living elders are our society's heritage. Their experiences can give society a new direction. The life they lived is no less than a university or management course. The true meaning of Shraddha is reverence. This reverence is also essential for living parents and elders today, so that they don't have to resort to old-age homes.
If we respect our parents while they are alive, sit with them, and show them affection, we too will feel satisfied that we have fulfilled our duties. Today, in the race to travel abroad and earn money, we are forgetting our elders. In the name of Shraddha, we perform the ritual by offering fruits, flour, and pulses to the priest, but do we truly have any reverence for our living ancestors?
Our Shraddha will only be considered complete when we provide support, respect, and love to our elders while they are alive. Those who have lost their loved ones in the pursuit of wealth need support today, not formal offerings. Merely giving money to the priest doesn't fulfill our duties. Time and affection are the true tribute.