tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25171037.post7949076477668607116..comments2024-03-28T14:43:18.928+05:30Comments on gappa: A colorful lifeUgich Konitarihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15901335427613806798noreply@blogger.comBlogger24125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25171037.post-41974837371795665312022-10-01T23:35:05.899+05:302022-10-01T23:35:05.899+05:30You Can book Car rental Service Mumbai Pune Taxi H...You Can book Car rental Service <a href="https://www.7mcar.com/" rel="nofollow">Mumbai Pune Taxi Hire</a> & <a href="https://www.mumbaipune.taxi/" rel="nofollow">Mumbai Pune Taxi</a>Mumbai Pune Taxihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16814665962262490440noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25171037.post-12509560744754831942010-08-30T11:12:12.472+05:302010-08-30T11:12:12.472+05:30Sangi Welcome to this blog ! and Thank you !<b>Sangi </b> Welcome to this blog ! and Thank you !Ugich Konitarihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15901335427613806798noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25171037.post-2561490471471621252010-08-30T10:33:42.670+05:302010-08-30T10:33:42.670+05:30Am reading this out to my kids today. Fair and da...Am reading this out to my kids today. Fair and dark and colours in between run riot in our home. And this is a great way to get to them before too much 'socialization' happens! :DSangithahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15131724168098054004noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25171037.post-48937182921187687312010-04-20T17:14:10.952+05:302010-04-20T17:14:10.952+05:30What a lovely poem, thanks from the bottom of my h...What a lovely poem, thanks from the bottom of my heart, am giving it to my daughter now and my son also.<br /><br />You know, that way of handling the 'black' remark was too good...you came down to the child's level instead of intellectual explanations that are irrelevant to a child. Super!<br /><br />I did something similar for my son when he worried others would tease him about his spectacles. I told him if anyone said "Why are you wearing specs?", he could ask them "Why re you wearing that orange shirt, or black pant or brown belt?" He immediately got it! And relaxed considerably. He understood that specs was just something one wore like clothes, and no one had a right to tease him!<br /><br />Thanks again!starry eyedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02821016011330573083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25171037.post-63276830010776157522009-03-26T04:18:00.000+05:302009-03-26T04:18:00.000+05:30Every child should read this poem in school. Child...Every child should read this poem in school. Children can be so cruel sometimes. Parents should also make sure their children get to see this. I am copying it to keep for my grandson. Great post.Judyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12078537002880283509noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25171037.post-40768924438315580582009-03-26T01:48:00.000+05:302009-03-26T01:48:00.000+05:30Ok, I am sure I left a comment before, but it has ...Ok, I am sure I left a comment before, but it has not shown up I see.<BR/><BR/>I am so glad that you wrote about this. I sometimes think I try too hard with E, that I'm trying in some ways to undo some of the damage of my *own* childhood by being so vehement in opening all the opportunities out there for her, that were perhaps denied to me. <BR/><BR/>Then I come across a post like yours and I realize all I want her to really do is be comfortable in her own skin. That was so well put Suranga Tai.<BR/><BR/>Priya.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25171037.post-46768592828277180362009-03-24T12:02:00.000+05:302009-03-24T12:02:00.000+05:30Beautiful beautiful poem. This poem should be made...Beautiful beautiful poem. This poem should be made like a national anthem in schools. If all kids grow up thinking like this, it would solve all our communal problems. BTW i searched for this poem and found that it is written by Shane DeRolf.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25171037.post-76096592050802886022009-03-24T02:01:00.000+05:302009-03-24T02:01:00.000+05:30Thoughtful post again! Color plays such an importa...Thoughtful post again! Color plays such an important role without even us, realizing it...and kids, they're mean and honest:), sometimes windows to an otherwise hidden ideology. Kudos for narrating your approach.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25171037.post-42316441467919430802009-03-23T22:49:00.000+05:302009-03-23T22:49:00.000+05:30what a cute poem!Yeah, I'm so cheesed off that the...what a cute poem!<BR/>Yeah, I'm so cheesed off that there are still SO many fairness cream ads on TV in India; as well as the same old matrimonial columns about wanting a fair bride!<BR/>I wonder when our obsession with making our brown skin white will cease?!Roshnihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01107573625336456428noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25171037.post-67521531988886307492009-03-23T20:01:00.000+05:302009-03-23T20:01:00.000+05:30The crayon poem was great. It should be given to a...The crayon poem was great. It should be given to all the elementary school teachers. So that they can handle any kala/ gora issue that may arise in their class.<BR/><BR/>me pan ameriketun pahilyanda bharatat gele astana baryach janani comment keli ki " amhala watla tu ata ameriket rahtiyes tar jara gori houn yesil. Tithle loka kasle gulabi gore astat na><BR/><BR/>Manaat mhanaychi vel aali ki may be alaskaat vagere rahat aste tar kadachit thodi zhale pan aste pan texas madhe rahun hee swapna pahnyat kai artha aahe.<BR/><BR/>Once Oprah had said on her show that white people may not know this or understand this but we do have different shades in black from light to dark and the lighter black is still considered prettier and better.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25171037.post-69383869111491982082009-03-23T13:55:00.000+05:302009-03-23T13:55:00.000+05:30Hi again Suranga, Yes Mothering Sunday is the same...Hi again Suranga, Yes Mothering Sunday is the same as Mother's Day - It's been known here in Scotland by both names as far back as I can remember,funnily enough my Grandmother called it Mothering Sunday (in the days before we had Mother's Day cards and all that! and that's a looong time ago).<BR/>p.s. Thanks for the OK on the Crayon Box - Love Kate x.Katehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16979505705280901138noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25171037.post-32509950872923128372009-03-23T08:46:00.000+05:302009-03-23T08:46:00.000+05:30Kavi Thank you for the comments. And I wish all t...<B>Kavi</B> Thank you for the comments. And I wish all those super educated types that one sees realize that the mango trees and rose bushes are telling them something. In a world so vibrant with color as in India, isnt it sad that they think in terms of black and white, which are actually, states of mind, and not colors .....<BR/><BR/><B>Suma</B> I had the same experience in Germany (when my daughter did Kindergaarten there). She was a complete hit, even with the school photographer ! I guess its human nature to hanker after what isnt there. But I know families where this dark fair thing is emphasized to disgusting extents....<BR/><BR/><B>Femin Susan </B>Thank you....Ugich Konitarihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15901335427613806798noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25171037.post-75528404594848997872009-03-23T07:31:00.000+05:302009-03-23T07:31:00.000+05:30What a beautiful way to teach about "coloured skin...What a beautiful way to teach about "coloured skin".......Femin Susanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06261731875448040555noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25171037.post-56787795241998546722009-03-23T06:24:00.000+05:302009-03-23T06:24:00.000+05:30that is such a beautiful take on color...my sis ha...that is such a beautiful take on color...<BR/><BR/>my sis has twins -a girl and a boy...the boy is fair and the girl not so...while the girl is a hit in the US, back in india, its the boy who gets all teh 'so cute' talk...<BR/><BR/>i think i'll send this to my sis...for a prob she may soon face...<BR/><BR/>and the crayon poem was so apt!aMushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14191649124291527517noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25171037.post-44559528671069091172009-03-22T23:18:00.000+05:302009-03-22T23:18:00.000+05:30Mr. Patwardhan related a reading from Osho, the ot...Mr. Patwardhan related a reading from Osho, the other day to me. And he said something to the effect of the " the mango tree doesnt tell the rose plant, 'i am more beautiful than you'!!<BR/><BR/>Colour gives each of us a certain individualistic tone ! And that should be celebrated. I have been a victim myself, suffering many years, enduring jibes on my colour. It took me a long while to step out and just be comfortable with who i am ! <BR/><BR/>And its been one heck of journey. I am so glad that your daughter wears her colour ! On her sleeve !!<BR/><BR/>Thanks for sharing.Kavihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11426040093753611098noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25171037.post-60638221776356353552009-03-22T22:29:00.000+05:302009-03-22T22:29:00.000+05:30Lilly Thank you. Our society is so diverse that ch...<B>Lilly</B> Thank you. Our society is so diverse that children in school here get early training in different religions, customs and languages. Some fights, some understandings, some misunderstandings, but at the end of the day, they play together...<BR/><BR/>Lilly, Quantas or Singapore Air, I forget who, has been advertizing here about some kind of Mumbai,Perth,Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and back fare, for something that today is the equivalent of 780$ (US). Dont know how much that is in AUS $. But Maybe u should check these things out at your end.....<BR/><BR/><B>Pradip Biswas</B> I think our obsession with "fair/white is superior", pre-dates the Mughals and the British. The British and Mughals were just catalysts. I have seen families where dark people are derisively mentioned. Children learn from the parents. 30 years ago, as a grad student in the US, my roommate was an African American girl, and I was agahst at some of the reactions I got from my fellow countrymen there. <BR/><BR/>And the less said about Hindustan lever and fair and lovely, the better. They are neither fair, nor lovely.<BR/><BR/><B>Darlene</B> You know, sometimes I think we follow too many theories. What you actually need to apply is some good common sense. Always works.<BR/><BR/><B>Sucharita</B> You are most welcome , Sucharita. I used to have a furious and complicated response too. But that would get sidetracked into some kind of racial thing, without being of any help. Small children know no theories. They just follow their simple, uncomplicated, innocent minds. And thats how our solutions must be. <BR/><BR/><B>Sujatha</B> Sometimes we learn from the children. ....<BR/><BR/><B>Kate</B> Thank you, and please do use the Crayon Box in your sidebar..... I was just wondering, is Mothering Sunday, Scotlands version of Mothers Day ?<BR/><BR/><B>SGD</B> I too thought the Crayon Box was wonderful, when I found it. Children make all kinds of remarks , mostly without thinking, and then forget. Sometimes it helps if we ignore the theory behind the comment, and divert the childs attention....<BR/><BR/><B>Helene H</B> Merci Beaucoup. And should we say, Vive la difference, Vive la Crayon Box !Ugich Konitarihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15901335427613806798noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25171037.post-65182246606121702602009-03-22T19:51:00.000+05:302009-03-22T19:51:00.000+05:30I love the Crayon Box too.It's funny how children ...I love the Crayon Box too.<BR/><BR/>It's funny how children just love teasing and bullying each other. If it's not about skin colour, it will be about hair colour, or religion, or social class, or diet, or clothes or anything really... Maybe this is what school is all about, learning about difference.Padparadschahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08069813470310454639noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25171037.post-80361290910734155392009-03-22T19:47:00.000+05:302009-03-22T19:47:00.000+05:30What a beautiful way to teach about "coloured skin...What a beautiful way to teach about "coloured skin" and to dilute the cruelty of a child's remark.....<BR/>The Crayon box again was wonderful!Sharmistha Guhahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11313702624756588109noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25171037.post-89800328802431725582009-03-22T14:46:00.000+05:302009-03-22T14:46:00.000+05:30Hi again Suranga, What a wise and great post, I lo...Hi again Suranga, What a wise and great post, I love the 'Crayon Box' and will - if you don't mind 'borrow' it for my collection of wise and wonderful sayings containing 'Pearls of Wisdom' on my sidebar. It should have a place and 'writ large' on all the school entryways and recreation halls in schools everywhere...<BR/>Cheers to you on this Mothering Sunday from Scotland - Kate x.Katehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16979505705280901138noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25171037.post-60764008064530916362009-03-22T02:56:00.000+05:302009-03-22T02:56:00.000+05:30That's a lesson I'll remember to teach my own kids...That's a lesson I'll remember to teach my own kids when they need it. Thank you for writing about this. We all face it at some point and what we need are ways to deal with it.Sujatha Bagalhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02140274113596874518noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25171037.post-49130784020337098952009-03-22T02:49:00.000+05:302009-03-22T02:49:00.000+05:30Thank you Suranga, for this truly wonderful post. ...Thank you Suranga, for this truly wonderful post. I have a pair of ebony-ivory daughters and have often thought of posting about it, only my furious and complicated response gets in the way. Thank you so much for your calm take on the colour-issue.Sucharita Sarkarhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07802171314546508539noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25171037.post-69479346844721273572009-03-21T22:22:00.000+05:302009-03-21T22:22:00.000+05:30You were wise to teach your daughter about how to ...You were wise to teach your daughter about how to handle teasing. The taunts could have hurt her but instead you made the color of one's skin a thing of no consequence; and that's what it should be.<BR/><BR/>If only everyone could see that skin color is just the amount of pigment in the skin and has nothing to do with character or who the person is.Darlenehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18373134676852496647noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25171037.post-44498424812073748392009-03-21T17:33:00.000+05:302009-03-21T17:33:00.000+05:30Why we bother so much for color in india? because ...Why we bother so much for color in india? because the whites ruled us? The British, Moghuls were all whites. The fair and Lovely cream is sold maximum in our country.pradipwritenowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06321320863952722189noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25171037.post-1043487689020047032009-03-21T15:40:00.000+05:302009-03-21T15:40:00.000+05:30Another wonderful post. How true is your statement...Another wonderful post. <BR/><BR/>How true is your statement, "There were very fair types who had very black minds, and very dark types who were white as snow in their minds." That is what we need to teach children - what colour is someone inside not outside.<BR/><BR/>Your daughter is bound to be a wonderful girl given the colourful mother that she has. She is lucky she has such a wise teacher. <BR/><BR/>Children can be cruel can't they but I guess it becomes good training to help us bounce back from life' adversaties later on through life. <BR/><BR/>I love the beautiful vibrant colours I see in images of India. I still hope to go there one day with my daughter. She was only talking about it this week. Her flat mate comes from Mumbai originally and has been in Austraia for two years now.Lillyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14597193176450931002noreply@blogger.com