Clouds come floating into my life, no longer to carry rain or usher storm, but to add colour to my sunset sky — Rabindranath Tagore
These lines by our most revered poet and philosopher were the first lines that caught my attention as I flipped open the front cover of Death of a Caterpillar by Minu Budhia. It kind of immediately readied me about the feel of what was to come in the following pages.
In life, the journey from “why me?” to “thank you, it’s me” is never an easy one. More so, when one is a parent of a special child. The trials and tribulations are anyways overwhelming. But to write about them, to bare one’s heart and mind, and share personal details in public is a task extraordinary.
The book opens with an eyeopening author’s note. The crux of the note lies in the fact that “despite the unfathomable sorrow of the eventuality”, as a special parent, one is not alone in her or his journey. As members of society, each one of us should be aware and conscious of these special stories so that when needed, we can be the strongest support system, which is absolutely essential. When a special mom says that she wishes her child to leave this earth one day before she herself passes away, the acute intensity of the emotions behind this wish is something that leaves a mark on the reader’s mind. Through the brightly coloured pages of this 206- page memoir, the intricacies and subtle yet terrible challenges of a life strewn with unique upheavals got revealed to the reader in the most eloquent and sensible way.
Parenting certainly doesn’t come with an instruction manual. Definitely not for the parents of a special child. Yet, that’s what is perhaps most needed, at least in the form of guidance, when one is faced with that harsh truth in life. Minu Budhia’s book bridges that very gap, between “what can be done” and “how it’s to be done”. It is indeed a “comprehensive manual that seeks to make the world more empathetic towards mental health.
Yes, it is not just a book for a special parent. It is a book for anyone who feels and acknowledges that being human is about being kind, being caring and being empathetic. There’s something for everyone.
Reading about Minu and others who went about addressing their challenges makes you feel blessed. It inspires you, lending you the mental strength and bandwidth to turn around and fight your inner demon. It helps you overcome your own doubts and lack of self-confidence. It shows you that self-love is not only useful but also absolutely necessary to add value to the meaning of life. Reading about the people who made life worth living for Minu — parents, Sanjay and their daughter — also made me realise once again that it’s in our hands to play a significant role in the lives of our near and dear ones, so as to spread happiness and make a difference to the way they live. It is vital to have a sound support system, and that doesn’t come out of thin air. It is people like you and me who eventually become a part of this intangible cocoon of care and bonding. The importance of having a family stands out in the pages of this beautifully and thoughtfully written chronicle.
There’s a caterpillar in each one of us. One that aspires to spread its wings and explore uncharted experiences. Stories such as the ones of Minu, Prachi and their extended family are relevant and highly recommended not just because they can inspire, but also because they can nudge us in the right direction, tell us about the air pockets and pitfalls and help us to, finally, take that flight — to being the butterfly of our dreams, to being an evolved and enriched version of our true selves, to spread happiness and be happy.
The author is the chairman of the Ambuja Neotia Group.
Death of a Caterpillar
DEATH OF A CATERPILLAR
Price: Rs 399
Available at: Amazon, Starmark, Caring Minds, Cafe ICanFlyy,