By Theresa Micheal,Chandigarh : Kendriya Vihar, a society with a mixed bunch of children, of all age group, going to schools all over Chandigarh, gave me a sneak peak about what’s going on in the young minds. I have arranged for many activities covering sports, entertainment, education, trying to get them together even just like that. They report many incidents that are happening at home, in the neighborhood, and even at school.
Some of the reports are funny, some worth ignoring but there are some that all Principals, teachers, parents and citizens of the society must not ignore, that we are responsible for all children. In case of indiscipline removal, rusticating, suspension will not perish the problem; we have to be well guarded against the pace this younger generation is going through.These children do not understand that they committing crimes in the classrooms, in the parks, and in the societies. It is very surprising to find that these children share their time along with friends playing computer games like Vice City and watching CID, all under the nose of their parents, grand parents and guardians. In case they are not allowed to do it at home, then they will visit a friend’s place whose parents are on duty and if this is not happening then they are all geared up to find a weak child around and start bulling on all the things they have learnt.
Little did I know that when I moved in to my new neighborhood, I was going to become a mother of a crime my son did not commit. One of the children Karan, age 10 (name changed), told my and another of his friend to enact a fighting sequence with another child, my son was to get on the chest and press his neck. The entire drama of the fighting sequence was recorded on a mobile camera. Then one day my son was about to come to me with a complaint about Karan, knowing that he was going to get into trouble, Karan came to me and showed me his video.
I was shocked, my nerves collapsed, to see my son, throttling another child, he is so scared of even hitting mosquitoes in the house, he can’t hit a fly for nuts. I prayed loudly in my mind, but I have a prayer answering God, who has given me my best moments as a critic in the media industry. I looked at the footage several times, something told me don’t look at your son, look around him. In the corner of the footage was the grandmother of the other child, smiling. I told Karan that I wanted to see the grandmother, as she has witnessed the crime, but he refused. So I decided to go and talk to her myself, Karan knowing that I would really do what I said, immediately laughed and said that I was a very clever aunty.
I did not ignore what he said, instead counseled him on human and child violation rights, and if this is reported as a crime, he could be punished for the rest of his life, the law might let him live freely but the people living around would never. I also promised him that I will not pursue the matter, only if he stops playing Vice City or watching CID and join us for sports in the evening.
Today, Karan is a changed boy, he has captained my children team many times to victory. They have made a group called Angel Rangers Batcha Party, list of commandments to follow before the start of any game or any event, it is as follows:
No gaali, shalli.
No mara, mari.
No dhaka, bhoki.
No chori, shori.
No cheating, wheating.
No bakwas, chakwas.
Only caring, sharing.
Only helping, shelping.
Be strong, be courageous.
Be right and never wrong.
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