Legendary Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan is a proud grandfather of two beautiful girls - Abhishek and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan’s little Aaradhya and Nikhil and Shweta Nanda’s lovely daughter Navya Naveli.
In light of recent events of crimes against women that can instill fear even in the minds of the most fearless of women, particularly the younger ones, on Sunday(September 4), B Big penned down a heartfelt letter for them.
The letter has some valuable lessons from Amitabh for his granddaughters. BigB, in the letter, warns them of the societal pressures they will face as women, but also encourages them to have a free mind, capable of taking decisions without bowing to the clichés of “log kya kahenge (what will people say)”.
Abhishek had once said that Amitabh Bachchan is like a Secret Santa to his granddaughters - always showering them with gifts and lots of love.
“Don’t let anyone make you believe that the length of your skirt is a measure of your character,” he tells his granddaughters, while also reminding them of the responsibility they shoulder.
Being a ‘star kid’ is tough as people have several expectations from them and are under constant scrutiny. BigB tells his granddaughters that their surnames alone will not get them far in life and they need to build their own identities.
The letter has advice that should go a long way encouraging not just his granddaughters, but also has wisdom that could apply to any woman in India.
Amitabh tweeted:
Read the complete letter :
You both carry a very valuable legacy on your tender shoulders – Aaradhya, the legacy of your pardadaji , Dr Harivansh Rai Bachchan…
and Navya, the legacy of your pardadaji , Shri H P Nanda….
Both your pardadajis gave your present surnames celebrated fame, dignity and recognition !
Both of you may be a Nanda or a Bachchan, but you are also girls…women !
And because you are women people will force their thinking, their boundaries on you.
They will tell you how to dress, how to behave, who you can meet and where you can go.
Don’t live in the shadows of people’s judgement. Make your own choices in the light of your own wisdom.
Don’t let anyone make you believe that the length of your skirt is a measure of your character.
Don’t let anyone’s opinion of who you should be friends with, dictate who you will be friends with.
Don’t get married for any other reason other than you want to get married.
People will talk. They shall say some terrible things. But that doesn’t mean you have to listen to everyone. Never ever worry about – log kya kahenge
At the end of the day, you are the only one who will face the consequences of your actions, so don’t let other people make your decisions for you.
Navya – the privilege your name, your surname offers you, will not protect you from the difficulties you will face because you ‘re a woman.
Aaradhya – by the time you see and understand this, I may well not be around. But I think what I am saying today shall still be relevant.
This may be a difficult, difficult world to be a woman. But I believe that it is women like you that will change that. It may not be easy, setting your own boundaries, making your own choices, rising above people ‘s judgement. But YOU !…you can set an example for women everywhere.
Do this and you would have done more than I have ever done, and it will be my honor to be known not as Amitabh Bachchan, but as your grandfather !!
Read Amitabh Bachchan’s letter to his granddaughters in his own handwriting
