The family unit provides economic support for its members, safeguards the health of each individual, meets the needs of the young for protection and training, and ensures that social and cultural values are instilled into the children. The family environment also offers social and emotional support, affection and a sense of belonging.

The various members of the family have their own special roles to play in fulfilling the dreams and visions of its members individually and as a family unit.

Parents want the best for their children. No parents in their right senses would like to see their children go astray. Parents have to play their role in providing for and looking after their children to the best of their ability. Parents also have to inculcate good moral and spiritual values in their offspring.

IMPORTANT GUIDELINES FOR PARENTS

Shower your kids with lots of love Show respect for your children Listen to the kids Try to understand your children Draw the limits very clearly Show a good example Get support from others when necessary Add fun to your lives Try to learn from your children Be realistic about expectations and instill self-confidence

The children cannot just be passive members of the family. It is important that the children also identify their role and play it effectively with guidance from their parents and teachers. The young members of the family must avoid deviating from the right path by basing their activities and lifestyle on a certain code of conduct.

Family members spend a great deal of their time away from each other at work, at school or at other places outside the home. They often spend limited time together and may seldom indulge in common activities that foster togetherness and emotional interaction.

Different members of the family will have their own, often conflicting, interests. Dad is probably fully immersed in his career, his mind preoccupied with money matters, and the golf course may be his only sanctuary for relaxation. Mum has to worry about running the household and a new recipe for dessert may be the only excitement in her day. The kids, on the other hand, don't understand what the fuss is all about when there are such wonderful things as games, comics, hobbies, movies and television to keep them occupied.

The Internet can contribute towards bringing the family together. There are ample facilities available on the Net to enable family members to share and discuss their interests and excitements with one another. It is tempting to envisage Dad and Mum, together with the kids, sitting in front of the monitor engrossed in the infinite reservoir of material available on the Web.

Dad, Diljeet Kumar Bhanot, is a doctor running his own private practice. He is a former student of the Victoria Institution. Besides his tight clinic schedule, Dad has to find time to keep up with the latest in medicine by reading up journals and attending seminars and talks. The Internet has become a very useful tool for Continuing Medical Education (CME).

Dad loves to hear and sing Hindi devotional songs, or bhajans, and popular filmi songs. Dad has even tried his hand at composing a few bhajans himself. He believes that religious understanding is very important in our increasingly borderless world - we must try to understand not only our own religion but also the religious beliefs of others. He regularly surfs the Internet and enjoys 'playing around' with computers and computer software.

Mum, Nirmala, is a full-time housewife, or rather a household administrator. She is an ardent advocate of a healthy lifestyle which includes lots of appropriate physical exercise and a sensible balanced diet. She is also a yoga enthusiast, and has recently developed an interest in Bollywood dancing.

The Bhanots have three sons: Rahul Chetan Bhanot, who is 26; Rajiv Anand Bhanot, 24; and Sachin Ajay Bhanot, who is 18 years old. Rahul has a degree in Psychology and is now studying Chemical Engineering, while Rajiv is in Medical School. Sachin is now in college, doing his A-levels. Other than the time spent on their studies, the kids - they resent being called this - have their hands full with various extracurricular activities. Rahul plays the drums very well. He also loves to regularly work out at the gym. Rajiv has a passion for soccer and often plays futsal. He is also trying his hand at playing the guitar. Sachin is also into music and songs. but also loves to play table-tennis. For some reason, all three of them have given up their previous hobby of stamp-collecting.