The incidents that are shocking tend to occur more rapidly when the state administration senselessly espouses a doctrine of consumerism and materialism by losing the sight of subsequent erosion of values and morals. Yes, acts of kidnapping, raping, murdering are so happening these days that it is near-conceded to be a normal concomitant of modern civilization and spread of cheap culture.
But perhaps many are wondering how such inhumane acts could to be sadistically perpetrated by some people. Why do people have increasingly become so heartless and intolerant and self-centered? What makes one so brutish? These are some of the few questions about which even the social scientists are seemingly perplexed. Our education system, for which we have great respect, also have apparently failed to put forth measures and ways to address these despicable issues which relentlessly haunting the present civilized age. Even in the most advanced and affluent countries like America, the crime rate is rapidly rising despite the introduction of series of new and harsh laws and stringent punishments. Why are they so happening unabated?
To my small mind it is due to lack of something inside us, probably that has to do with bringing about changes in our thinking patterns and style of understanding. Yes, it is obviously we have done nothing that makes our character stronger and behaviour more humane. We have home TV round the clock to enjoy deluge of items (except few) that are basically character degenerating, full of sex and violence related. Well, the government has provided more facilities and opportunities for carrier, health and fashion but very less importance is being attached to so far as character building of citizens is concerned. So it is natural that now we have grown more health conscious, carrier conscious, luxury conscious and fashion conscious than ‘Character conscious’. We have awesome institutions for ‘Business management’ while virtually not a single institution for ‘Behavioral management’ that help power and develop the inner strength and virtues. We are hot at ‘Book keeping’ but know nothing about ‘self-keeping’. Except for some NGOs and religious institutions, our state administrations do not feel it essential to tell its citizens about the importance of morals in day to day conduct. I think, before chastising the culprits with the rod of punishment, government should recognize the significance of value teachings that are profusely available in or the Bible or the Gita the Koran. The history speaks in glowing terms how even the most hardheaded criminals had vowed to become a son of God by following the teachings from these scriptures. In this context, I fondly remember the bold move adopted by the Super cop Ms Kiran Bedi in Tihar Jail to bring reforms in the lives of criminals. It only consists of teaching values and morals. Her methods worked so wonderfully and effectively that gave new lease of life to many hardcore criminals.
One wonders how many bloody incidents of cruelties it takes to make the government realize that a discipline like ‘Character Management’ is far more essential than ‘Business Management’ in order to make the citizen more of human than devil!
Salil Gewali, Shillong-2
