“Mental disease is growing at an alarming rate and something must be done to curb this problem.” So said Pt Balram Persad at the recently held graduation ceremony of SWAHA Sangre Grande ECCE Centre as he urged parents to dig deeper into every aspect of the lives of their children. He accentuated the role of parents as a sacred responsibility, a most significant one and stressed that this job can be effected by no other. Teachers are mere facilitators but parents’ role in shaping the destiny of their offspring is essential to the welfare of the child, the community and the society. Indeed, the family unit is a necessary aspect of a sane society.
This graduation event marked the end of the first phase of formal education for five-year olds as they prepared to move into the primary school, where bigger classes and less individualised attention by caregivers contrast markedly with the more intimate approach that obtains at the pre-school. In his address, Punditji called on parents to begin immediately to take the steps that are necessary in instilling values into their children. He emphasized the importance of prayer, moral education and vegetarianism. He outlined the many benefits of meditation, which has been introduced as a regular activity at the Early Childhood Centre. Similar results have been seen at the nearby SWAHA Hindu College where classes in meditation and weekly havan are also conducted. Improved classroom discipline, mental stability, an absence of violence and longer attention span result from a regular practice of this routine. Additionally, the social climate and tone at the schools, as well as the resulting strengthened relationships compel the students towards extending the hand of compassion, empathy, charity and good will among others. Needless to say, such pillars of Sanatan Dharma, planted deep at the foundation of a child’s life can weather the storms of modern-day lifestyle.
Hinduism has always placed great importance on the very young as well as senior members of society, emphasizing that if we are to have real peace in the world we must begin with the very young. The establishment of educational institutions by SWAHA is but one way of helping to create the right environment for our children. However, the overriding responsibility in this regard lies with parents.
In years gone by, it was the extended family that provided a most useful support system in a child’s development. With the passage of time, with single parent families, gay marriages, working parents and many other changes in social factors, such systems have disintegrated and the results are clear. Cultural degeneration, chaos and other ills spill into communities where the damage then becomes irreparable.
No need to look very far. This long August vacation has found many a young child subsumed in the digi-world, glued to the computer, DVD, DVR and tablet for long hours and becoming groomed into social relationships via Facebook, MySpace, Twitter and other social media. Enhanced learning, we may say, empowering the young ones to create, to develop, no doubt; but what of real social, emotional and physical development?
The call then, is for parents to take their roles seriously. They need to become lifelong learners in the art of child rearing and to stand up to their calling of raising, instilling values and empowering their children in the pathways of Sanatan Dharma in order to protect their mental health. Only then can we curb the scourge of mental disease. Only then can we have peace. Only then can we find the route that leads to true emancipation.
