Songsoptok
Talking with nandita
GENERATION GAP IN THE AGE OF
GLOBALISATION
SONGSOPTOK: To which
generation do you belong? To which generations do the members of your immediate
family belong?
NANDITA: Baby Boomers
SONGSOPTOK: In your opinion,
is generation gap a myth or a reality? How would you define generation gap?
NANDITA: Generation gap is definitely a reality. It is the difference of
perception.
SONGSOPTOK: Have you
personally had problems with your previous generations? In which domains
specifically? How did you react to it then?
NANDITA: Yes, sometimes I do have problems with my previous generations.
But again it is from them only that I have learnt to be patient and empathise
in order to cope up. It is difficult to specify the domains. One particular
instance is regarding my job as a news reader in the All India Radio which was
posted in Arunachal Pradesh. I was not allowed to take up the job. Initially it
was a setback for me but again I was counselled by my parents. Although I have
lost the opportunity, but I have learnt to cope up in difficult situation which
is a big lesson.
SONGSOPTOK: Have you ever
heard “You won’t understand” from the next generation? Do you remember the
specific situations when you heard it? How do you react? And do you remember
saying the same words to your parents / elders? In what context?
NANDITA: Yes I have heard many a times"You won't understand"
from my next generation. It was an occasion when my son was advised against
sleepover in a friend's house. I remember one such occasion when being in
school I wanted to see an 'A' marked movie.
SONGSOPTOK: In a globalized
world all generations dress alike, eat alike, dream alike – is it still
possible for generation gap to exist? Or do the reasons for the famous gap lie
elsewhere?
NANDITA: As I have already said...the reason for the gap lies in
difference in perception. It has not much to do with dress or food. It is the
attitude which makes all the difference.
SONGSOPTOK: Given that in
this age of connectivity, it is easier for parents or guardians to keep
connected with their children or wards (keep track of their activities through
Face book, Whatsap or whatever) – also make them aware of their own interests
and individualities - do you think “generation gap” still exists? If yes, why
do you feel so? If no, could you please share with our readers on the ways that
you remain connected and how does that help you overcome the gap.
NANDITA: Of course with the
advent of technology connectivity has improved and it has become much easier to
track a person. But it should be kept in mind that every person is entitled to
his/her privacy. Too much tracking does no good to our children. On the
contrary they become irritated and lose respect for their elders. It is with
love yet with space that our wards should be handled. They are to be respected
as individuals. We should rather try to be examples rather than dictators. We
need to be flexible and we must update ourselves for a better understanding of
our children.
SONGSOPTOK: What do you
think – is generation gap a gap between two individuals of different age groups
or is it really between two generations across individuals? In this context,
what role can the parents / elders play to bridge the gap if it exists?
NANDITA: According to me it is between two generations. Parents have to
take up the role of the counsellors. Talking can ease out all the
contradictions. There is always so much to learn from our children. If we
become keen learners, in turn we could gain their confidence. This
"trust" builds up the relationship thereby bridging the gap.
SONGSOPTOK: Do you ever face
troubles created by generation gap outside your family? Especially in office,
educational institutions, market etc.? How do you react to that?
NANDITA:Yes, being a teacher I always face the difference. Initial
reaction is surprise. But again being a teacher is no easy. Therefore, I take
up the role of a counsellor again, and try to reach at the root of the problem.
If needed I talk to the parents and a continuous monitoring is done.
SONGSOPTOK: We feel that
generation gap starts creeping in as we age – on one side we try to acquire new
things from changed times and on the other – we try to cling to our own
inheritances. Do you agree? What would be your advice on how one can overcome
this contradiction, if at all?
NANDITA: In my opinion there is no contradiction between the new things
and our own inheritance if properly handled. There is no general rule in
handling this, but if our approach is positive and rational, then it becomes easier.
SONGSOPTOK: Please leave
some parting words for the next generation, your generation and the previous
generation that reflect your thoughts on this topic.
NANDITA: The only key word to all the generations is
"Empathy". If all of us can empathise with our fellow people and try
to understand them from their own perspective,
everything becomes simple. And this is no utopia.
ABOUT YOURSELF: I am a teacher where I work with children rather
work as their mentor. It is not only textual education that I
try to teach them but I want them to grow up as good human beings.
We sincerely thank you
for your time and hope we shall have your continued support.
Aparajita
Sen
(Editor:
Songsoptok)
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