Former Google MD Parminder Singh’s Twitter post is going viral on the internet for its beautiful message on identity and parenting. While wishing his 20-year-old son on his birthday, Singh shared an anecdote which was widely liked by Twitter users.
Singh, a Sikh, recounted an incident a few years back when his son, then just 9 years-old, was asked whether he was North Indian or a South Indian. Born in a Punjabi family and being brought up in Karnataka’s Bengaluru, the kid replied that he is a “Nouth Indian”.
“My son, born to a Punjabi familyin Bangalore, was 9 when he was asked, “Are you a North or South Indian”. He replied, “I think I’m a NOUTH Indian!” Kids defy labels we try to give them. He turns 20 today. Hope he keeps defying labels,” tweeted Singh.
Singh also shared the screenshot of a beautiful poem ‘On Children’ by Lebanese author and poet Khalil Gibran.
The story was widely shared, and Singh’s followers shared their parenting stories or how they defied labels.
“My son born of a Muslim father and Hindu mother says his religion is MusHind, I love it and I am proud of this generation, for them these things are immaterial,” wrote Triveni Naqvi.
Given the times that we live in, people find reasons to hate or boycott almost anything under the sun these days, so naturally were few who disagreed with Singh, who now works as Chief Commercial and Digital Officer at Singapore-based Media Corp.
“There are a few who disagree with my Tweet. Almost all of them are equating identity with parental origin. In my view these are distinct concepts. One’s identity is shaped by origin but is influenced by many other factors. Identity is like an ever flowing, ever-changing river,” he added.
