Monthly Archives: November 2014

Utterly Butterly Bachpan

We’ve grown up with Amul hoardings… How many times have we been halted in our tracks by the round eyed, chubby cheeked girl in her polka dotted frock winking at us from strategically placed hoardings. How often have we stopped, looked and chuckled at her take on significant topical issues on politics, economy, sports, music, foreign affairs, urban life and social issues. Witty, humorous, irreverent and at times reflective, she has rarely been afraid of questioning stereotypes and raising issues of social significance. Though there are times when she is scared, sad, or just plain mad, she has an emerging voice that has also lent itself to the voice of India’s children.

Even before the advent of google doodles, she supported all causes, grieved all deaths, cheered all victories, cursed all scammers and hailed all youth icons. The loss of Nelson Mandela, the midday meal deaths in Bihar, the first test tube baby – all have made a place in our hearts.

As we celebrate Children’s week, here’s a chronicling of the Indian child’s happy and sad moments in the utterly butterly childlike style, making you smile even today.

1976: She scoffed at the move to bring India’s population under control by introducing the compulsory sterilization programs during the Emergency.
1976: She scoffed at the move to bring India’s population under control by introducing the compulsory sterilization programs during the Emergency
1979: She advised girls to stop hitch hiking for their safety.
1979: She advised girls to stop hitch hiking for their safety
1982: She reveled in the International Year of the Child
1982: She reveled in the International Year of the Child
1986: She was witness to India’s first Test Tube Baby
1986: She was witness to India’s first Test Tube Baby
1992: She empathized with the stress and anxiety for students that comes with examination fever
1992: She empathized with the stress and anxiety for students that comes with examination fever
2000: She let magic into her life with the famous Harry Potter series
2000: She let magic into her life with the famous Harry Potter series
2003: She felt the challenges faced in a competitive education system
2003: She felt the challenges faced in a competitive education system
2008: She brought to mainstream media the issues of children with special needs 2008: She brought to mainstream media the issues of children with special needs 2008: She brought to mainstream media the issues of children with special needs
2008: She brought to mainstream media the issues of children with special needs
2013: She questioned the mid-day meal after the tragic death of 23 children in Bihar
2013: She questioned the mid-day meal after the tragic death of 23 children in Bihar
2013: She paid tribute to the man who fought to give a voice and dignity to children across the world
2013: She paid tribute to the man who fought to give a voice and dignity to children across the world
2013: She honoured Malala for her courageous fight for education of the girl child 2013: She honoured Malala for her courageous fight for education of the girl child
2013: She honoured Malala for her courageous fight for education of the girl child
2014: And joined in celebrations with Nobel peace prize winners for their work on child labour and education for the girl child
2014: And joined in celebrations with Nobel peace prize winners for their work on child labour and education for the girl child