Dr Vikas Sharma
From Sacrifice to silence
In a world buzzing with change, where modern lifestyles and personal choices dominate, a troubling reality is emerging- parents, once revered as the cornerstone of families, are being pushed to the sidelines.

The same parents who sacrificed their dreams to build a better future for their children now find themselves overlooked. As pets are showered with love and luxury, aging parents are left yearning for the simplest acts of care and affection. This growing imbalance forces us to ask: Are we losing touch with the values that define humanity?
In a world where religious teachings and spirituality often guide our lives, it’s surprising how many people forget the most basic lesson of all-respect and care for parents. Many spend hours listening to spiritual leaders, attending satsangs, and reciting prayers, claiming to be on a path of kindness and enlightenment. But when it comes to their own parents, who are aging and in need of love, these same individuals fail to show the compassion they preach. What’s the use of spirituality if it doesn’t start at home? Feeding the poor or donating to temples is meaningless if your parents are left hungry or ignored in the same house.
At the same time, pets are being treated like royalty. People feed their dogs imported snacks, take them on long walks, and even host birthday parties for them. Cats are dressed in cute outfits and pampered with the finest care. Yet, the same love isn’t extended to aging parents. Parents are left to eat cold food, sit in empty rooms, and wonder if their children even remember them. Walk down any street, and you’ll see couples happily walking their dogs. Ask them when they last took their parents out for fresh air, and they won’t know. Their Instagram stories are filled with pictures of their pets with captions like “My baby loves this,” but when it comes to checking on their parents, silence takes over. Parents, who once sacrificed everything to build a future for their children, are now treated like strangers in their own homes.
The struggles don’t end here. Many young couples, after getting married, choose to move away from their parents. They say they need “privacy” or their “own space.” But what about the parents who gave up their privacy to raise these children? Those who stay in the same house often behave like guests. Conversations are rare, smiles are missing, and love is nowhere to be found. Parents are left to watch their children scroll through their phones for hours, replying to friends and laughing at memes, while they sit quietly, yearning for a moment of attention.
Some even take the extreme step of sending their parents to old-age homes. They claim it’s for “better care,” but it’s often an excuse to avoid responsibility. These are the same parents who once carried their children on their shoulders, stayed up nights when they were sick, and worked tirelessly to fulfill their dreams. Now, they are left in the care of strangers, while their children move on with their lives.
Technology, which should have made relationships stronger, has only widened the gap. Video calls and WhatsApp messages have become substitutes for real interaction. A simple call or message is seen as enough, while hours are spent clicking and posting pictures of pets on social media. Pets may offer joy and comfort, but they can never replace the unconditional love and blessings of parents.
Loving pets is not wrong. They deserve care too. But when pets get all the love while parents are neglected, it’s a clear sign of misplaced priorities. A dog’s wagging tail or a cat’s soft purr can never match the pride and prayers of a parent. Parents don’t ask for much-just a little love, time, and respect. A simple conversation, a shared meal, or holding their hand in difficult times is enough. These small acts of care mean more to them than any grand gesture.
So, before planning your pet’s next grooming session or celebrating their birthday, take a moment to think about your parents. Have they eaten? Are they happy? A society that forgets its parents may have fancy lifestyles, but it will always lack the warmth and strength that family brings. Let’s not forget the hands that shaped our lives.

Follow our WhatsApp channel