Legendary singer Bob Dylan, who was awarded the Nobel prize for literature for his powerful lyrics, sang “Forever Young” in 1974. Still popular after more than half a century, it was meant as a benediction, a blessing. Yet, for many adult Indians, “forever young” is often a curse: typical Indian parents continue to treat their offspring as children long after they have become adults.  Parental rules, directions, and admonitions — meant for pre- and early-teen youngsters — are applied to adults, seeking ongoing control over their lives.

As if this is not bad enough, we have governments which treat citizens like children, mimicking domineering parents. Increasingly playing this role, our governments — in states and at the Centre — seek to dictate what we eat, drink, wear, watch on the cine, television or phone screen, who we befriend, where we celebrate, and much more. Like parents, governments too imagine this is in our best interest.