Innocence is bliss!

Incredible India! Photo courtesy: welcomenri    Today, you won't recognize the place. It has developed into a busy town.   But during 80's this place was happier, cooler and pleasant. Each plant ,weed or trees seemed happy with their own unique flowers  and fruits. People were innocently happy. Festivals had a special charm as people  open heartedly indulged in merrymaking.                   How a child looses his/her innocence? I think when he is  exposed to rough and complicated experiences.  My childhood was confined to my school, cousins and my friends  at the neighborhood.  That Asoka tree with big branches at my neighborhood, I remember , always had flowers...... and why not? They say that Asoka blossoms  at the touch of "Kanya" (virgin).  Sounds funny right? But it's an old belief better not to question it!  It is an important tree in the cultural traditions of the Indian  subcontinent and adjacent areas.) Me and my 4 girl friends along with my little brother played under  this tree.  We children made the model of temples and decorated  the stone deity with wild flowers.  There was a pond and lots of different varieties of mango trees. During summer vacations,we used to get three different varieties  of mangoes. Saraca Asoca (Ashoka Tree)           But I realize now that I always had an inner world,  much more colorful where I pretended myself to be different  characters from my favorite stories. I had my own secret place in the backyard of my house among  the coconut trees.  Near the Bamboo and the pineapple bushes I discovered a strange  tree with white trunk. I felt the place had a mystical charm.  I chose the place to sit and dream.  During November or early December, the place got dried up,  the wind was fierce, the leaves were rustling.  I had no objective dreams.  I enjoyed those days in ways that today's children can never fathom.  We had the sense  of existence of nature and of the super power  that  controls us.         Today human beings have forgotten the Nature and consider  themselves as creators of their own destiny. People want "big things"  now a days; but inside all are empty ,frustrated. You will know this from  their pretentious nature and from the topics they choose to converse. The nature even has turned unpredictable. November wind which used to  be the characteristic of my place, has subsided.  Monsoon is uncertain and untimely. Roads are crammed with vehicles.  People are competing with each other, temples are crowded with  grabby people who have come to please the God to get their work done. Incredible India!!! When the parents are minding their own business, we can not blame the young generation getting perverted.It's shocking to know that in the God's own country, using drugs is so common, even available near  schools.  It's a mockery that alcohol is banned here. School children buy  the  narcotic gum and parents are unable to find out.  Strict law should be enforced to stop the selling of these substances  and anyone violating this must get dreadful punishment.                        Today, children step into adulthood so fast without  enjoying the bliss of innocence. What can we do to protect this young generation from these  social malice? 1.  Primary schools can give strong awareness programs using movies  or any audio visual methods. We must enforce the values in children  at very young age. 2. Make groups and let school children make skits or dramas on  alcoholism and drug abuse. 3. Reward and appreciate those children who work for this good cause  so that others too get inspired. 4. Restrict the pocket money and try to keep good communication  with your teenager, as often as possible. Little bit of love and care can do wonders. 5.  Last suggestion is really tough to implement : include one subject  in the academics to provide insight and awareness about spirituality. Let our children live an insightful life rather than giving way to  momentary pleasures! But now one question remains. Who's responsible for all these degradation in values????? As a social being none of us can run away from this question.                                            ########                            ((This post is being written for the #BachpanWithFlinto blogger  contest. Flintobox creates award-winning discovery boxes filled with fun exploratory  activities  and games for children in the age group of 3-7. If you wish to gift Flintobox  to  your child, niece/nephew, or friend’s child, use the exclusive coupon code WELCOME  to avail Rs. 250/- off.))

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