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[1] From: rkurian@bgl.vsnl.net.in Cc: indiathinkersnet@yahoogroups.com Date: Wed May 3, 2006 Subject: A New Problem in India.. Wednesday, May 3, 2006 Deccan Herald » Panorama » Detailed Story LIFESTYLE Rich children of a poor country By Manika Ghosh Children today certainly have more buying power. More freedom too is becoming the new mantra If the recent research by Cartoon Network is anything to go by, we compare fairly well with the rich nations. Rs 364 crore just seems kid- stuff, mere pocket money of our children for a year. Even if this gargantuan amount, which perhaps is higher than even certain government budget allocations, is just a guesstimate as is true of such research, children certainly have a lot more buying power today. The sample included just 14 cities, and from a limited class of people, leaving out the actual bulk of the populace. This means that this vast sum of money is concentrated in the hands of a small band. Who are these children? One can easily augur a guess. Needless to say, they do not belong to the vast underbelly of our country, who have no access to nutrition, health or education, who are forced to work at a tender age to supplement family income, who often go to bed hungry, who are visible, yet go unnoticed. These urbanites cutting across cultural divides must be from families with growing incomes, where affluence is synonymous with success and where a small family is the norm, for it’s only they who can afford this luxury. Belying common belief it’s not just the dual income homes, families where mothers are full-time home-makers are also seen to be as indulgent. Parents are in a mood to spend; India’s economic growth has seen a proliferation in this segment of the population, and is expected to grow further. In today’s rising consumerism money is a tool parents use to motivate, please or cover up for guilt of not spending enough time, emotions or thoughts on their child ren. Children too feel compelled to splurge on trendy temptations, succumbing to peer pressure and marketing tactics. This creates an inescapable vortex, into which families get inadvertently sucked. Pocket money per se is not a bad idea. It helps children learn to handle money, learn budgeting and make decisions. It also gives them autonomy and greater self-esteem. However, how the money is spent is of consequence and concern. Therefore it needs monitoring and careful vigilance. It is reported that most of it is spent on soft drinks and confectioneries. But in reality it is also spent in not so innocent pursuits. Smoking has always been, and now even drinking, has become almost fashionable; drug addiction and other substance abuse among students is steadily on the rise and so is their free sexual behaviour. Internet joints are full of youngsters not just to play games but to log on to dubious sites, away from prying adult eyes at home. According to studies, these are but a few of the interests of urban children that are only fanned by excess money. The implications of all this on their psycho-physical health cannot be overemphasised. Parents ought to understand their children and establish a rapport in a way that the children feel free to share their joys and sorrows, fears and apprehensions, needs and aspirations. Most parents are either too strict, where the child does not feel loved or trusted, or too indulgent, where the child feels he can get everything and get away with anything. Being a psychologist and counsellor I have met both types of parents, and seen how children suffer in both situations, albeit differently. There is a need to balance between what is called ‘soft’ love and ‘tough’ love. Children require unconditional love, but not at the cost of discipline and self-regulation. Children who are not checked can grow into unruly adolescents and then into irresponsible adults. It has been found that children who feel secure in their family relationships, and have been instilled with sound values, develop self-esteem, rarely indulging in harmful activities. They understand the consequences of their action. Parenting has always been a tough job. Every generation has had its share of problems. However, changing times have added new dimensions to these problems. All-round freedom is the new ‘mantra’. Yet unleashed freedom has never proved to be a solution, it only adds to the problem. Freedom without accountability can be fatal. Getting too much too soon only devalues things leaving one dissatisfied, asking for more and leading to frustration and depression. Beside, while millions still starve in our country, we and our children must develop a conscience. The Western world has suffered the ‘problems of plenty’, let’s learn from it. ---------------- [2] From: Sukla Sen <suklasen@yahoo.com> Date: Wed May 3, 2006 Subject: Mahjan dies Premature Death: An Occasion to Grieve? http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1514732.cms Mahajan was full of energy, promise: PM [ Wednesday, May 03, 2006 09:43:31 pmIANS ] NEW DELHI: Condoling the death of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Pramod Mahajan, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Wednesday described him as a "youthful leader who was full of energy and promise". In his condolence message, Manmohan Singh said: "I am deeply grieved to learn of the sad and untimely demise of Pramod Mahajan in Mumbai." "A charismatic and youthful leader, Pramod Mahajan was full of promise and energy. A well-known personality in our public life, he earned a reputation as a capable organiser and a dynamic leader through his hard and dedicated work. "It is indeed tragic that he has been snatched away from us at the prime of his career in politics and public life," the prime minister said. "I have had the opportunity of working with him in the Rajya Sabha and seeing him taking keen interest in the proceedings of the house. It is indeed unfortunate that the country has lost a young leader with a lot of promise. "I convey my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family, which is facing this terrible tragedy and I pray that providence gives strength to the tragic stricken family members to bear this irreparable loss. I also pray for the peace of the departed soul," Manmohan Singh added. -------------------- [3] From: willy <willyahd@yahoo.com> Date: Thu May 4, 2006 Subject: CALL TO PRIME MINISTER MANMOHAN SINGH TO DEFEND THE RIGHTS OF PEOPLE IN NARMADA CALL TO PRIME MINISTER MANMOHAN SINGH TO DEFEND THE RIGHTS OF PEOPLE IN NARMADA VALLEY 3 May 2006 Dear Prime Minister Manmohan Singh: We are 97 people’s movements, struggle groups and NGOs from across Asia who have come together in Hyderabad as the People’s Forum Against ADB (PFAADB). We are here to uphold people’s rights to self-determination and reclaim democracy that is being undermined by a destructive development paradigm. We are shocked by the Indian Government’s continuing callous attitude towards the fate of thousands of families displaced and to be ousted in the coming monsoons by the Sardar Sarovar Dam in the Narmada Valley. We are alarmed to know that when it has already been proved that agricultural land based rehabilitation of thousands of families has not yet been done, and serious violations of the Supreme Court judgement have occurred, you have refused to intervene when the Supreme Court has given you the authority to do so. Unless you act urgently a human tragedy of massive proportions will occur in the Narmada valley. We also cannot understand your move to appoint a committee of former bureaucrats who are expected to complete surveys by 19 June and help rehabilitate thousands of families in a mere 11 days after that without work on the dam being suspended We call on you as a people’s representative and the Prime Minister of India to immediately halt all construction activities on the Sardar Sarovar Dam and defend the rights of the people in the Narmada Valley. ENDORSED BY National Alliance of Peoples Movements, Narmada Bachao Andolan, Asia Pacific Movement on Debt and Development (APMMD), Freedom from Debt Coalition, Philippines Rural Reconstruction Movement (PRRM), Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha (KRRS), Equations, Nadi Ghati Morcha, River Basin Friends, Environment Support Group, ADB Quit Kerala Campaign, INSAF, CORE, Urban Research Centre, Focus on the Global South, Citizens Concern for Dams & Development, Delhi Forum, Samata, National Forum of Forest People & Forest Workers, mines minerals & People, Shaheen Centre, Consumer Protection Forum, Water Initiatives, Consumer Protection Forum, Civil Society Initiative on IFIs (NE), Intercultural Resources, NGO Task Force on ADB, Nagarika Hitharakshana Samithi, Balakedarara Hitharakshana Vedike, Anikethana Trust, India Centre for Human Rights and Law (ICHRL), Palni Hills Conservation Council, National Fishworkers Forum, Polavaram Project Andolana Samithi, Naga Peoples Movement for Human Rights, Movement Against Uranium Projects, Centre for Environment Concerns, Aman Vedika, ITDS, Peoples Alliance Central East India, Japan Centre for a Sustainable Environment and Society (JACSES), Center for Economic Justice, PAIRVI, Jharkhand Jangal Bachao Andolan, Bureau for Human Rights, Adivasi Mukthi Sangathan, Peoples Movement in Subansiri Valley, Krishak Mukti Sangram Samithi, Arunachal Citizens Rights, Indigenous/Tribal Peoples Development Center, Rural Volunteers Centre, Human Rights Tamil Nadu Initiative,Parisava Badokidara Vedika, Human Rights Law Network, SAKSHI ,Human Rights Watch, Chatri, Jharkand Labour Union, Dalit Women Forum, National Hawkers Federation, Net Work of Persons with Disabilities Organisation (NPDO), Lok Raj Sangathan, Consumer Protection Council, Manthan Adhyayan Kendra, South Asia Network of Dams, Rivers & People, Grassroot Options, FIMCOTN, Dwarf People’s Organisation, Chatri, New Trade Union Initiative, SEVA, SABALA, National Campaign on Dalit Human Rights, Women’s Collective, Bangla Praxis, Nagarik Udyog, Corporate Accountability Desk of The Other Media, Chasma Lok Sath, National Centre for Advocacy Studies, Open Space, Peoples Voice, Gangpur Adivasi Forum, Dalit Mukti Morcha, Plachimada Solidarity Committee, Pani Committee, Kaselu Palu Group (PNG), Uttaran, AOSED, Save Chara River Campaign, Gono Udyog Forum, Green Movement of Sri Lanka, Global Alternative Information Applications, Kabani-the other direction, Indian Coordination Committee of Farmers Movement, Madhya Pradesh Kisan Sangharsh Samiti, Indian Solidarity Committee for Freedom Democracy and Human Rights |
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May05, 2006 - [India Thinkers Net]Failed states,Bipin Chandra,Dalits in finance world etc >> |
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