Kids - The harbingers of hope

Be it the Coco Cola advertisement with kids singing 'Sunshine Wali Dhoop, Ummeidon wali asha', AR Rahman's 'Tum Mein Hai Hero' sung lyric by lyric by children, kids seems to holding our attention rather raptly. What set me thinking was: Are we done with the mush and skin show all around us and finally getting back to basics. Are we using kids to restore that last bit of innocence in us, that was threatened by sidewalk hoardings peering down at us in sensual poses...

And then recently, my convictions were further strengthened at the maiden run of India Kids Fashion Week in Mumbai, held between January 17-19. Boys and girls, aged between 4-14, in ponytails and schoolboy shots made a beeline to walk the ramp and have fun sashaying some designer wear. I feared the worst, 'What if a kid walks off the ramp and breaks his teeth. What if a child gets lost amidst all the hullabaloo of multiple shows. What if kids go hungry and are made to wait endlessly backstage with flashy makeup on and shouted upon by attenders to not play around'.

All the ifs and buts came to rest when I myself witnessed the energy and buzz right at the India Kids Fashion Week venue. It was young designer Nishka Lulla's grand finale show and actress Sushmita Sen was to take to the ramp with her daughters Renee and Alisah. Kids were freaking out, willingly trying on some edible and organic makeup. They waited to get into their ramp wear and smile at the audiences when the arc lights would focus on them.

Finally, at 9.30 pm, strobe lights on, an innovative broader ramp laid out, music started to play and all eyes fixed on kids who walked with such grace and confidence that I started to feel rather old. A boy saluted in SRK style and girls came holding the trains in place. Model Srishti Hota, 10, who walked the ramp for the first time, walked in with a Rajasthani umbrella and opened it on a surprise note to add some glamour. Acknowledging and waving to the crowds, kids walked like professional models (thanks to the terrible shows on TV). Sushmita Sen then towered above all and took to the ramp, she tripped slightly as the kurta train got under her 6-inch high heels but continued with the walk stylishly. Her kids no different from the others crowded together and waved as the curtains came down.

I went back home thinking, 'What kids. No kidding!'