Batting legend Sachin Tendulkar on Monday urged parents to understand their children better and not thrust their own ideas upon them.
Sachin was speaking at a special event organised by UNICEF on the occasion of world children's day. "Parents shouldn't force their own dreams upon their children. They should understand their child's likes and dislikes, strengths and weaknesses and be patient with them," the legendary former cricketer stated.
He also cited his own example to make the case. "My father was an author and a teacher but he never forced me to also do the same thing," Tendulkar recalled.
The most capped Test player also lamented the discrimination against girl child prevalent in the country. "We have right to education in India but it has been denied to many girls. While boys move on from primary education to secondary education, girls often drop out because of lack of basic facilities like girls' toilet," the former Indian captain said ruefully.
He also elaborated how, in his view, better education for girls would lead to a better society. "The mother is the backbone of every family. If we educate our girls better, they would be better equipped to look after their families. We need to give our children the same platform, whether it's a son or daughter and accord them the same amount of respect."
Recounting his own personal experience, the batting maestro talked about responsibility at a young age leading to greater maturity in kids. "I was a difficult child to manage because I was quite naughty. But then I started playing serious cricket at an early age and had to travel from the age of 13. When you are given responsibility at a young age, you learn many things like not taking hasty decisions," Tendulkar emphasized.
Sachin also joined a group of young children along with Justin Forsyth, deputy executive director, partnerships, UNICEF for a 5-overs-a-side game of cricket on the occasion.