Being a mom, I am supposed to teach a lot of things to my daughter. The basics of life are taught by all the family members but a mom has some additional duties too.
But many times these tiny souls end up teaching us many things. After all, a mother is born when the child enters the world. An ordinary woman becomes an extraordinary mother and gives her best to the child. So the child creates a mother, isn’t it?
I have learnt a few lessons of life from my little munchkin. And this incident is one of the topmost lessons.
My daughter started her Nursery school this June. Since then it was a regular affair to catch a few glimpses of eunuchs at the traffic signals. Sometimes they approached us, and sometimes just skipped.
My 3-year-old was noticing this every day while we traveled to the school in an auto rickshaw. I had no idea about what was her opinion about it. Whenever a eunuch approached us, I always prefer giving some money.
They approached us clapping as it’s a norm to do so. After giving them the money, they always blessed me and my daughter by keeping their hand on our respective heads. It is said their blessings are auspicious and one should never take their curse.
My daughter never got scared of them. In fact, she used to ask me for money as soon as she saw the eunuchs approaching us. She happily gave the money and took the blessings.
Once I had to change my route to the school, due to the roadblock. It was raining heavily so I preferred taking another route than going through a traffic jam.
When my daughter rrealizedthat it’s a different route, she started crying. Kept insisting to go by the regular route. I tried convincing her but no use. I didn’t understand her sudden panic. Somehow dropped her to the school and promised to take her home by the regular route only.
While returning home, we took the regular route as promised. She was happy, very very happy. Was searching for someone in that huge traffic jam. And as soon as she saw the eunuchs approaching the vehicles, she shouted joyfully
“Yeah…. The Clapping Aunty is Here”
I was surprised to hear that. As usual, she asked me for the money. Gave it to the eunuch. Took the blessings, and hugged me tightly. She said, “Thank you so much mumma, I missed the clapping aunty in the morning. So I cried no mumma.”
I was speechless. The term “The Clapping Aunty”, remained in my mind forever. I always taught her to respect everyone. Even a beggar deserves respect. But I had never thought of using a respectful name for these people.
We often call them Eunuch, Transgenders, Hijra, Chakka etc. And that may sound unrespectful. A three-year-old child could be a better human being than me. “The Clapping Aunty”, this new name is surely going to give a lot of respect to this community.
image source: Wikipedia
When I shared the incident with my husband, he was so so glad for her thinking. He said now we need to learn such things from her. And proud to be her parents.
PS- I am not sure how many of them (the clapping aunties) are genuine. There are cases of fake ones too. I take the basic precautions and surely maintain an adequate distance. Some of them are drunk many times. But all of the above, I have met some genuine clapping aunties who never force or threaten people for money. They ask for it once and don’t ever force.
And now my daughter has given me a different perspective of looking at this community of clapping aunties. A new lesson for a life 🙂
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Nice one l. Some of clapping aunty are very guine & help full also. I know one at Ghatkopar station. If any one don’t have change to give to auto driver. Then they asked the change from this aunty.
She always smiling while helping others.
Yes… some of them are very kind hearted and won’t trouble anyone
People who are highly sensitive have a deeper depth of cognitive processing and bigger emotional response so as your daughter.
Only a couple of minutes back,I was in tears after reading this,her emotions and response created a respectful feeling in me for them too.
My regards
Yes, I am glad that she is so sensitive and sensible.
Very nice yar…i really liked dis name as clapping aunty…m sure dey will feel good after hearing dis name
Thanks Rajshree, yes this would make them feel respected in the society
Wow such a nice upbringing. I was speechless after reading ur little one calling Clapping aunty. it’s very necessary to give respect to everyone. Some times a tiny act gives us a lesson for life. Way to go…..
yes Sheetal, sometimes these tiny souls teach us a lot… lessons for life <3
Wow Such a innocent thought!!!Very nicely written and indeed a very thoughtful and an impressive thought.
Thanks Niyati…
I was afraid of eunchs as a kid and as a grown up too …but when i started working and came across them in train only then i realised they are same as us …buy people unnecessarily disrespects them..and my whole way to look towards them….im glad that your daughter learnt this at very early age what i learnt very late….respect all n love all
yes respect all and love all
I often come across clapping aunties while traveling in train & see boys making fun of them sometimes & laughing. Take away from above is respect & love for each & everyone. Some thing to learn from a litle kid on how to help #giving #sharing #caring.
Yes, need to learn from the little kids #Giving #Sharing #Caring #SpreadingHappiness
Children are a gift from GOD!!! These sayings so truely depict these Very nice thoughts our young ones have. Sometimes they do teach us simple lessons of life in a more genuine way….!
Kids bring out the simpler perspectives and sometimes simple is better. The transgenders are stuck in a vicious cycle from which it is near impossible to extricate themselves. Why do they resort to begging? Because there are next to nil job opportunities for them. But once they are into the begging cycle they become very reluctant to work. A couple of years ago, two transgenders came to my office to collect money. I offered them jobs and they just reacted as if working disgusted them.
Kudos to your little one for appreciating the goodness in everyone. You should be proud.
Yes Varad, very proud mom of this little angel who is teaching me many such lessons. Other ones in the queue of my blog posts.
I know, these transgenders are reluctant to work. They are just getting used to the social norms of begging or threatening people for money and not working. Some of their leaders are taking efforts to make them work with dignity
It’s sad the kind of daily lives they are forced to undergo. So glad to hear your daughter is growing up as such a kind little lady.
There could be no better name than The Clapping Aunty… such is the innocence of children. May your daughter always remain as broad-minded and loving even after she grows up. This is a lovely incident.
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A beautiful lesson taught by the little angel. Children think with their heart and that is why their actions are so pure and innocent. As adults, our actions get influenced by our surroundings, beliefs, knowledge, thoughts and much more which makes most of us indifferent to these people. I have had both good as well as bad experiences with eunuchs, but I still believe that they are a part of our society and should be given equal chance to live their life as they wish to. Blessings to your child for being respectful to all humans.
These little humans have the biggest heart and they, sometimes, teach us the most valuable lessons of life. Our world would be a better place if we grownups will start looking at others from a child’s perspective. They just look for love! Superb post!
What a wonderful term by your kid! Wish we all could look through the innocent eyes of children… and embrace the beauty in diversity!
These little kids teach us each day and have the most beautiful heart. It was such a beautiful read.
This got me thinking too. I keep wondering which is a respectful name to call them. Do you know that many don’t prefer being referred to as He or She. We are ignorant as to how they would like to be referred to as. It’s so good of you to teach your daughter to respect everyone.
Yes I know, they can’t be categorized as he and she. But this name given by my daughter is spontaneous and can give a little-preferred name too as they are mostly feminine. Most of them are the men born with feminine features and they want to be like females. So calling them aunty is appropriate.
Beautiful write. Every person deserves respect no matter thier color, status. Kudos to you for installing respect to your daughter at such a tender age.
Yes, I teach her humanity first. And she is teaching me the different shades of humanity itself.