Every childhood is filled with joyous memories,
being surrounded by loved ones and learning traits and qualities that shape an
individual. Today, India celebrates Children’s Day.
Goan personalities share tales of their childhood
and what they think the new generation is missing out on
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I have beautiful memories with my
parents, family and friends. Playing football with my friends in my village is
the best part of my childhood. The time I enjoyed with my brother and friends I
will never forget. We played so many different games like cricket but football
was the game we played the most. During rainy season, we went swimming
together. I’m happy that there were no phones then. Otherwise, I would have not
enjoyed the way I did. What I miss the most about my childhood is that we don’t
have time now. All my friends are busy with their own work and now we don’t
share time like before. Nowadays, kids are too much into phones and want to
play games on the phone. They are missing out on the best time of their
childhood– Mandar Rao Dessai, Footballer, Captain of FC Goa
I spent all my childhood summers with
my cousins at my native place in Agonda, Cancona. We used to play games, go on
the beach and spend the whole day out. Once we are back home, we would have
delicious food cooked by my granny. My grandfather used to wake us up early in
the morning and say ‘Paadpak vachpak zai’ which means it’s day for coconut
plucking. That was the best day of the holiday as it was like a picnic for all
the cousins. We used to take our food and toys and drink as many tender
coconuts as we want. The best part was helping the workers to pick the
coconuts fallen all over once plucked. My childhood days were thé best. There
are so many things I miss about my childhood especially spending that lovely
time with my grandparents and being with my cousins whenever I’m at my native
place–
Samiksha Desai, Film and theatre
actress
I loved that life wasn’t as
complicated as it is now.
There were no mobiles, no social
media and childhood was real fun in the real world with real friends and real games.
What I miss about my childhood is eating roadside ice-candies on the quiet, the
songs on music channels like MTV and Channel V rather than these reality shows.
Also, writing letters to near and dear ones and put them in post boxes and the
excitement of getting a letter back– Bushka D’Souza,
Singer and tiatrist
I had a peaceful childhood with a lot
of family, friends and neighbors. We had a lot of tasty food at home. Since I
didn’t have any girls of my age around, I used to play football with the boys.
We used to search for fruits on the trees and pluck them or throw stones at it.
We had time at 4 pm till sunset to play. We had to be home before the Angelus.
My brother pampered me and I don’t remember a single fight with him. What I
think today’s children are missing out on is the connection with nature. We
played outside and unconsciously learnt about nature. Human bonding has changed– Sonia
Shirsat, Fadista
Being the only daughter, I had
complete freedom. I was not brought up as a girl to follow any stereotypes. I
had male centric pet names and was taught to think freely with no stereotypes
attached to my life. I was close to my father but my mother played a bigger
role in my life. I loved reading the newspapers especially Sunaparanta in
Konkani. The reading habit was instilled by my parents. Today, I see the rat
race and expectations from parents. They miss to instill confidence and
personality. Parents are overprotective about their children and don’t allow
them to figure out what they want– Anwesha Singbal, Writer and
Konkani Activist
My childhood was filled with memories
of Goa and being a Bombay born son of Goan parents from Colvale, I always felt
the connection with Goa. I enjoyed going to the hills, fishing at the river,
and exploring the place. When I was 18 years old, my father registered my name
at the communidade in Colvale which made me feel like the son of the soul.
It was the same reason I decided to
move to Goa 27 years back. It also made me the designer I am today. We used to
visit Goa twice a year in my childhood. Now, my childhood dreams are shattered.
The hills in Colvale are covered with factories. I fear for the children. What
are we leaving behind for them? We have to train them to learn Goan culture. We
have to invest in our children. That’s why I am writing books about Goa– Wendell
Rodricks, Fashion designer and writer
