The Hindu : Opinion / Letters to the Editor : Shocking incident

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Jan 05, 2008
ePaper

Opinion

Opinion - Letters to the Editor

Shocking incident

The news that a standard VIII student was shot dead allegedly by his schoolmate in Satna in Madhya Pradesh comes as a terrible shock, with the Gurgaon incident yet to fade from our memory. As a society, we are morally responsible for our children’s mindset. We allow them to grow in a culture where we celebrate fighting and knocking down one another as games, and treat violence and fanaticism as acts of heroism. As elders, we should serve as role models for them. Unfortunately, even among our so-called leaders, there are but a few who can be emulated.

As a first step, the government should ban programmes in small and big screens that glorify violence in the name of sport.

R. Ponnarassi,

Vellore

* * *

The shooting, coming close on the heels of a similar incident in the elitist environs of Gurgaon, confirms that adolescent rage is not confined to a strata of society. The electronic media glorify violence and the young and impressionable minds are led to believe that instant justice is the answer to all their grievances. We need to ponder over and counter this trend, through an empathetic and effective communication process that will ensure that young minds do not go astray. Parents and teachers have a crucial role to play in this process.

Sekhar Rayaprolu,

San Jose, California

* * *

The Satna outrage is more disconcerting than the Gurgaon incident because it took place in a village school. The gun culture seems to be spreading to all sections of society. That personal animosity can compel students to resort to such an extreme step should open our eyes to the real danger that is staring us in the face.

Blaming the media for the waywardness of the youth is only partly correct. Parents and teachers should create the feeling that the students are cared for and loved. They should make the young aware of the judicial retribution that awaits the delinquents and the social rejection likely to befall them. They should be taught to be tolerant and kind.

N.K. Vijayan,

Kizhakkambalam

* * *

A schoolboy being gunned down by one of his classmates will cease to be news in future. We are not only getting accustomed to violence but are also letting it dominate our lives. How do our boys get access to guns? Any legal process dealing with the errant children should also involve parents without whose complicity most juvenile crimes would be impossible.

T.S. Pattabhi Raman,

Coimbatore

* * *

The ugly turn of events is reminiscent of innumerable similar instances in the U.S. and elsewhere that have caused a fear psychosis among parents. Schools must tell students and parents that carrying any weapon or similar instrument is illegal and punishable with expulsion. They must conduct random checks and encourage students to report abusive language and violence on the premises. Students with aggressive tendencies, and those prone to bullying and hailing from dysfunctional families should be observed constantly. These steps, along with awareness programmes, will go a long way in ensuring safety.

Ganga Prasad G. Rao,

Chennai

* * *

The freedom children enjoy and the culture of violence are the cause of such incidents. We quickly point an accusing finger at the media. But we too are to blame. Children spend most of their time not with their parents but in Internet cafes playing wild computer games and seeing horror movies. They love to shoot down their ‘enemies.’ Parents should make it a point to spend some of their time with their children, teaching them good values.

S. Nallasivan,

Tirunelveli

* * *

A student killing another is not just an instance of murder. It signals the deterioration in our education and family values. Our education provides the ‘know-how’ but not knowledge. Families encourage competition and envy in their urge to put their children ahead of others. It is time we realised that technology and modernity are not substitutes for wisdom and values.

Nisha Gopalan,

Chennai

* * *

If a heated argument between teenaged boys can lead to killing, one wonders what is in store for us. It is apparent that teenage gun culture is taking deep root in India. The fact that parents do not even know that their sons carry a gun exposes the widening gap between them. With growing competition, parents seem to care only about their children’s performance, not values.

Thangkhochon Haokip,

New Delhi

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Opinion

News Update

Stories in this Section

A preventable tragedy

Obama-Huckabee surprise

Pakistan People’s Party and “Mr. 10 per cent”

Gujarat elections: some reflections

Barack Obama’s big moment

Benazir murder may isolate Islamists

A united plea to ‘save Kenya’

Corrections and clarifications

Shocking incident

Appalling