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The dreaded call
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Parents never say the word "kidnap". It's always simply "it", on the lines of... "Aiyyo, hang enaadhru aagbitre?" As the kids scamper off to school, a little prayer is sent up to the gods. And don't we all know the frequently-repeated instruc tions that made sure we didn't walk right into the "bad man's" trap? Don't take sweets from strangers. Don't talk to unknown people. Come inside the house before dark. Come right home from school, even if you have a cycle wheel you want to play with. Vegetable sellers, beggars, scavengers, shady automen, deep-throated uncles — they've all been made villains to drive home the point that it's a big bad world out there. As yet another child is abducted and brought back to her parents in the
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How safe are children even within the so-called `safe' spaces? - Photo: K. Ramesh Babu
Whenever we read news about kidnapping, we tell our children so that they learn from others' mistakes. During free time, we advise them about safety and how bad the world has become.
Shobha, banker
I don't have to worry about my children. That is the concern of the child's mother. After all, I'll be so busy at work, earning and all, no? So my wife will teach them how to take care of themselves.
B.N. Biswas, excise officer
I ask my children not to talk to strangers and not to accept any sweets or chocolates from them. They must take the same route back from school everyday, so that we know where there'll be in case something happens.
Deepali, homemaker
One good concept is school uniforms. If the child is being taken away, passers-by can identify the school uniform and pass on the message to the school immediately.
Ramesh, chartered accountant
We drop the children to school ourselves right now. But after they're seven-years-old, they'll have enough common sense to know whom to talk to on the road. Then, they can go by themselves.
Indra, admin
Autos carry more than five kids, their legs and hands dangling out. It's so dangerous. So my wife drops the kids herself. I tell my older son to go to places only with his friends, never alone.
Muniappa, clerk
I've made my children learn my phone number and address by-heart so that they can use it in times of need. I tell them to open the door only after seeing through the peephole and identifying a known person.
Narasimha, accountant
I don't send my children to school picnics or trips. The teacher will have 100 children and it's hard to control. Also, when they go to school, my kids don't wear gold chain or anything — these things tempt kidnappers.
Madhukantha, auditor
School vans are good because of trust. Otherwise vans and autos, run by even known people, are untrustworthy. When kids go to other places such as playground or tuition, a parent must always accompany them.
Rama, banker
- Photos: K. Bhagya Prakash
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