Hiten Tejwani: The values my parents taught me were the best gift I ever got

Hiten Tejwani turned 44 on his birthday yesterday. In an interview with a leading Indian daily, Hiten revealed about what he plans usually on his birthday. Hiten said, "Usually, it’s a get-together with close friends and family which is what we had yesterday evening too. We wanted to go on a short trip maybe to Goa, which we do frequently, but she and the kids are busy so we might go at a later date. That way we can have a celebration again with just the four of us."

"If I am in Mumbai on my birthday, there is a party for friends on the eve, then dinner with family on the D-day, and sometimes yet another get together at lunch, which means 2-3 parties (laughs), which is a lot for me," added the actor.

Recalling his childhood birthday memories, Hiten said, "I remember as a kid, my two brothers and I had to share gifts. We couldn’t afford to have one for each of us. Today, when I buy a gift I have to buy for both my kids as I can’t give something to only one of them. But we wouldn’t ask our parents for more as we knew our financial condition. So, while my brother got a cycle, my parents got me a cricket bat as I loved playing cricket in our building. The person who had the bat would get more chances to bat. Nothing can match the feeling you get, when you finally get something after waiting for it for a long time."

Talking about his kids - son Nevaan and daughter Katya, the actor mentioned that he wants to inculcate the same values his parents had inculcated in him. The actor said, "The values my parents taught me were the best gift I ever got. Today, by the grace of God, I can give my kids anything they ask for but I want them to learn and value them. These values then pass on from generation to generation. Nothing is more valuable than what your parents teach you in life. There are many kids who are greedy or don’t appreciate things or take things for granted but it’s not their fault. It’s the parents who have to show and teach them the difference between right and wrong. One can buy other materialistic things in life but never values."