Parents’ responsibility for children’s core values
As we embark on a new year, we need to explore the timeless power of core values that mould our understanding and behaviour. It is within the family that we first experience love, care, discipline, right, and wrong. Parents should play a pivotal role in the family as the initial role models for children, instilling in them values like honesty, respect, and perseverance. These values are not innate but are nurtured through upbringing and environment, primarily by the family. Indian scriptures such as the Mahabharata and Ramayana underscore the significance of righteous upbringing through stories like those of the Pandavas and Rama. The ancient philosopher and political strategist Chanakya emphasized the unparalleled role parents play in a child's upbringing. He mentioned that parents who do not impart proper guidance can be equated to enemies. This strong assertion underscores the gravity of the responsibility parents shoulder in shaping their children's values. Families emphasizing strong values foster a more compassionate and harmonious society. The saying "As you sow, so shall you reap" encapsulates the idea that values taught to children impact not just their individual paths but also the wider society. The cardinal virtues that are universally acknowledged and revered include compassion, modesty, bravery, and benevolence. These are not mere abstract concepts confined to philosophy books, but they form the very foundation upon which our moral frameworks are built. These values instil a way of life for nurturing not just informed individuals, but responsible, conscious adults. The importance of this foundational education in moral values is glaringly evident when we witness the consequences of its absence. It is crucial to balance the vast benefits of a digital era with preserving core human values to ensure that technology augments but does not replace our rich human emotions and traditions. It is the collective responsibility of every individual to revitalize the core values that once fortified societies. Let us pledge to bequeath a world to young generations that is guided by a renewed sense of purpose rooted in a value-centric approach. Let us ensure that every one of our actions and decisions aligns with principles that elevate, unite, and nurture humanity as a whole.
Iqbal Saikia,
Guwahati.
Season of road accidents
Assam's winters are gorgeous; however, it's the season of road accidents. Be it morning or night, driving gets tougher with increasing fog and dew-soaked roads. In addition to seasonal difficulties, bad driving, potholes on the roads, and myriad two-wheelers roaming around without safety precautions add insult to injury. Accidents happen on the national highways stretching from cities to foster roads in the villages; one can read in the newspaper almost daily a headline on car accidents. These accidents are not accidents for many, breeding death, injury, and trauma to everyday families already struggling to make ends meet. In low visibility and the most unforgiving of times, people cannot see, and colliding with each other becomes inevitable. Better driving conditions—fewer potholes, more reflective markers—would aid people in driving properly and not getting into accidents. More police enforcement for speeding, overloading, and assessing the fitness of vehicles is needed, especially in the winter. Fog lights should be highlighted as a requirement, and public service announcements can be aired to encourage people to obey the law or, at the very least, reduce their speed and maintain a safe distance in inclement weather and poor visibility. In addition, some paramedic assistance should be established every few miles in the accident-prone stretches of the roads with ambulances and first aid stations. Assam's wintertime tragedy is a call for awareness, prevention, and social responsibility. This region should never have to suffer the perils of such transportation in the winter; however, it is on people and greater transportation endeavours for accident avoidance. These easily preventable tragedies should not happen so long as the social maintenance of all comes from proper, safe, responsible, and aware driving on the roads.
Himashree Ghosh
Cotton University
Eco-friendly celebrations
This is to highlight the issue of air and noise pollution caused by fireworks during festivals like Diwali and New Year. While the festivities bring joy and excitement, the environmental consequences are severe and demand immediate attention. The air quality deteriorates due to the release of smoke from fireworks, posing a serious threat to public health. People with breathing problems and those suffering from asthma are most vulnerable to it.
Fireworks also leave behind debris and chemical residues, contributing to soil and water pollution. This not only harms the ecosystem, but also endangers the diverse flora and fauna in our surroundings. Considering these issues, I would like to urge the authorities to consider implementing stricter regulations on the use of fireworks during festivals like Diwali and New Year. Encouraging alternative, eco-friendly celebrations will not only reduce the environmental impact but will also promote a healthier and safer environment for everyone.
Jubel D'Cruz,
(jubeldcruz@yahoo.com)