‘Sanskar’ is a beautiful word, not sure if there is a synonym for the way it is professed in any other language. Parents have duty to pass on right value system to children. But are we parents giving right sanskars to our children? By ‘Sanskaras' do we mean Values? Do we mean Religious Customs? or Cultural Ethos? Does Religion, Community, Patriotism and Family Values matter? In today's globalized consumer driven world, universal values of Truth, Love, Compassion and Non-Violence are essential but what additional qualities, what ‘Sanskars’ should we pass on to our children? My my answer would be:

(1) Teach your children to - Be their own light!: Either we can live according to dictates of society, religion and country or we can live according to our own light. Children should learn to be true to their own self. Honesty and Integrity allows one to sleep peacefully and live peacefully. Children must be encouraged to be brave enough to do what they think is right and not just be a fence sitter. Love and respect ‘Self’. It is important to respect yourself as much as you respect others. That can only come only by accepting ‘God’ and power of ‘Nature’.

God has a definite plan for each one of us and that's all we need to know. You can know this plan by following your inner voice, your inner light!

(2) Children must know Ethics, Sincerity, Compassion, Responsibility, Confidence, Freedom, Individuality, Love, Meditation, Playfulness, Creativity, Sensitivity, Self Defense and Appreciativeness. Children should also be trained to become lifelong learners.

(3) Young people must contribute to the common good: Standing up for what is right is equally important and they should be encouraged to take stands on behalf of those less privileged. Fair play and living with a sense of justice are essential.

(4) Ability to make right choices: Life offers plenty of options all the way through and is dependent on the choices we make. Children must be taught to think through options and use their faculties in the best manner before deciding on an option. When the situation demands, they must also be flexible enough and intelligent enough, to change it!

These qualities will allow you to do your best, become your best and get success in most of the things you do. To avoid waste of time and effort, it is important to have a purpose or goal in life. Bigger the goal, larger the satisfaction of a well lived life. Fit body and a healthy mind always help.