Surat: A heartfelt literary event was held at Sanskar Bharti School, organized by Swajan Parivar, where Padma Shri Dr. Prakash Kothari unveiled two books by Dr. Prashant Karia — Not Just a Son and Not Just a Daughter – My Parenting Mirror. The books are described as reflections not only for children but also for every parent who sees their own image in their children.
As per report, chief guest Dr. Prakash Kothari praised the books for capturing the full spectrum of parental emotions — love, guilt, pride, mistakes, and forgiveness — woven together in one narrative. Sharing an excerpt from the book, he spoke about addressing children’s questions on sexual education, emphasizing that “children don’t need sermons — they need clarity.” He stressed that truth must replace anxiety, urging parents to begin sex education at home and seek expert guidance if they feel uneasy.
Dr. Kothari also quoted another poignant message from the book: “Never compare two children. Every flower blooms in its own time — let it bloom when it’s ready.”
Dr. Mukul Choksi described the books as “a treasure of wisdom and relationships,” calling them a golden gift launched under the auspicious Pushya Nakshatra just before Diwali.
During the event, Dr. Karia’s daughter, Nitya, shared her feelings of joy, pride, and a touch of sibling rivalry, admitting that she initially felt envious when only a book about her brother was being written. With the launch of two books, she said she now felt both siblings were equally cherished.
Son Param Karia became emotional as he confessed that he was initially uncomfortable about personal family moments being shared publicly. However, after reading the draft, he realized, “Our story is every family’s story.” Fighting back tears, he thanked his father publicly, saying, “Thank you, Dad.”
Dr. Karia’s wife, Vaishali, reflected on parenting dynamics, saying that while differences in opinions are natural, their core values as parents have always aligned. “Every child needs care, discipline, and understanding appropriate to their age,” she said.
Author Dr. Prashant Karia shared a deeply personal confession from his parenting journey — that he once slapped his son in anger during a cricket match. He publicly apologized, saying, “That was my biggest mistake. He was right, and I reacted wrongly.”
Both books, rich with introspection and emotional depth, deliver timeless lessons for parents. They emphasize that parenting is not about being perfect, but about being present. They remind readers that apologizing is not weakness, but humanity and that children may not always listen, but they always observe.
