Camera is the culprit

Cinema has always been the most popular source of entertainment among adults, families and even for kids. In spite of being a great source of entertainment, it's not very keenly recommended by parents when it comes to watching movies for kids.

I belong to a time and generation when we as kids accompanied our parents for films as an outing but were never encouraged to get fascinated about the whole idea of glamour, fashion and madness behind that reel cinema.

As kids, I still remember we were not freely exposed to film magazines, filthy songs and any other sort of resource that would lead our interest in the glamour world, plus we had so much to do in our times...that movies and films were merely an excitement for an outing and cold drinks.

But when I think of today.... cinema has taken over other sources of entertainment in a very big way..

It's not just confined to the multiplexes or movie theaters but dozen of channels on TV telecast films all day long.

The ones which doesn't show movies, show filthy songs with embarrassing videos & dirty lyrics. If that's not enough there are advertisements adding to the repulsion with skimpy clothes and exposed body ads with some  really  stupid dialogues.                   

Somehow if we manage to skip TV, There are these Newspapers filled with full page movie ads showing skin, posing inappropriately or else filled with blood and violence. Even if you manage to ignore all the above...You can't get so unlucky to miss that condom ad placed right where your eyes can never skip it.

These thoughts never crossed my mind or bothered me all these years of my life but since I am a mother now... I can't turn a blind eye to all that is happening around and let my kid grow before time.

When I hear a 4/5 yr old singing....sari night besharmi ki night and many such absurd songs...

 I literally feel how their parents allow them to watch and listen to such songs...?

Above all it feels so indecent to hear these dirty lyrics coming from kids of such young age, thankfully they don't understand the meaning behind it yet.

Many parents think otherwise that more we keep them away or restrict them from all this more they would get attracted to it, So they let them watch anything and everything that the idiot box has to offer .... Be it Saas bahu serials, item numbers, movie trailers full of violence & bad words and other stuff without giving a second thought.

Now its up to the parents to decide what they think is good or bad for their kids... Well, In that case the safest bet is to limit their TV viewing only to kids channels.

However it changed my mind when I sat one day with him to realize... Bheem being all kids hero only loves to fight and is aggressive all the time. They are all shown saving the princess ...so now when ever I have a girl who comes to play with my son she has to be a princess in trouble and helpless ...so Bheem comes and save her.

Heights of all was.... the day I heard this advertisement and thought my son might have changed the channel but to realize later it ran on kids channel made no sense to me ( a women wearing deep neck blouse being called hot by his father in law) My kid relates hot with weather.

I really fail to understand, why are kids exposed to things or dialogues not appropriate for their age... ?
Why are serial and movie promos running on kids channels?

why are parents not given a choice of deciding whether they want their kids to show the movies or not ?

why obscene item numbers, lewd songs and clippings everywhere on TV?

Restrict it to one channel ... people will have a choice to watch or not.

The full page movie ads in newspapers should be avoided in front pages. Hoardings and movie posters should be kept clean and watchable .... not lusty and vulgar..

On one hand we are feeding our kids with dirt, filth, vulgarity, obscene stuff through songs, movies, hoardings, magazines and newspapers.. On the other hand we are complaining of kids outgrowing their age and misbehaving, teasing and finally assaulting... 

I am not saying this is the sole reason behind all the mishappening in society but is definitely a very big reason of where our society is heading and the way future generation is being misled.

The other day my 5 year old asks me ...why in all the movie posters boys always have a girlfriend ? Well I answered that for him but It won't be surprising if he comes and says next ...mamma I want a girlfriend too.

I am not against boys and girls being together .... In fact we need to instil the values of relationships in our children and how we all play important role in every ones life .. but why make it obscene and present... There are healthy ways of letting kids know that two ppl love and care about each other like their parents do.

The girl boy relationship should not be a taboo...that is seen or projected as a shameful thing.

For all those who think i am being over protective ... must understand there is always a choice of exposing your kids to every thruth in a healthy manner and at a right age....

Camera is the culprit... because it focuses at the wrong places and provides an element to pollute innocent minds. The dialogues and the lyrics should be for enjoyment but not to dilute our thoughts. Many think its just fun and they see and forget at this age .. should remember at this tender age kids learn more from what they see and hear ... And whatever they are exposed to leaves an imprint on their minds.

Worst is even in video games and cartoons... Girls are projected with divulging breasts and as a piece of object to gather attention...where is the need to make these little minds curious of women's body and think of them as some glamorous object ?

why can't girls or women be projected like a normal human being ...and how they look in real world ? 

we must always remember kids understand more than we think they would ... And it's our responsibility to feed them with values, morals, respect and equality.

Is the word International a marketing gimmick for schools?

Selection of school for a child's education is another challenge that every parent has to go through.. starting from play group to a higher level, Finding a school of your choice is an ordeal.

If we look at last ten yrs.. There is no doubt about the fact that number of schools have increased in the city and more so there are separate schools for toddlers to initiate the pre primary education, but it still doesn't fulfil the need of education for all the kids out there..

The times have come when you have to register for admissions as soon as the kid turns 2 or three yrs else you are late for admissions.. And you are refused a seat. That's the kind of competition we parents are dealing with today.

Forget getting admissions in colleges and schools for higher studies... I am talking of the kids who are yet to enter the world of education... The toddlers and above..

Competition has become a part of everyday life, not that we aren't accustomed to it ... But it get on to our nerves when something as basic and important as education sounds like a burden because of the monopoly of schools and its privatisation.

My concern is why getting an admission in most of the city schools is like fighting a loosing battle? Education being the prime right of every child.

More so, after every schools coming up with the International tag has made it worst for the parents to
take a call and decide the child's education.

Is the International tag all about paying big bucks and sending your kid to an ultra model building with all the luxuries available? 

Are we talking of education here or sending our kids to enjoy the luxuries of life which he might not experience at home?

Apart from the international tag, the new introduced boards have added to the confusion.... Be it IGCSE or IB

Didn't we already have enough boards to decide from? 

if people feel existing boards are not superior enough then why not scrap and introduce one board
that's best for all.

Well there is another angel I have heard and read about international schools. School authorities justify by saying those kids who study from international schools adapt to the western culture well
and get admissions in universities abroad.

My counter question is .. Were Indian students not going abroad in past or were they not getting
admissions in their universities before. I have always heard Indian education system is so well
designed that Indian kids are always demanded by companies abroad... If I may truly admit ...all my school friend today are settled abroad in various countries and doing great. They studied Indian boards CBSE/ ICSE  that's always been there.

For a moment if I give up on my argument and agree that international boards are the best, why such 
high fee? Are you charging parents for the education and knowledge you are imparting or is it the 
for the interior designing and the amenities at school?

Who needs a lounge in school for kids to sit and read? Are we not creating differences in kids mind by providing them a five star treatment? Are we teaching them the value for money or is it all about show world?

Are we parents not doing good enough to live a decent life, with our Indian education system?

Schools and education has become a business and a money making racket. Today schools define its value by counting on the facilities they are providing... Like swimming pools, zymnazium, horse riding and what not.

Studies have taken a backstage and the focus is merely on how much can they sell the other stuff to charge more. 

All schools have toppers and mediocres, it can never be guaranteed by the school and its authorities to produce all top grades.

One must not forget the child blossoms even in the most ordinary schools ... What matters is the right guidance and support of a great teacher, who inspires you to think.

Another question is the schools who are boosting of their international curriculum.. Are their teachers trained abroad in their respective boards?

No, these are the same teachers who have studied CBSEand ICSE .. Who are being trained and are
asked to adapt and stick to their new curriculum.

Some argue saying that international board is easy for kids who aren't able to cope with the above
two boards.. i.e, CBSE/ICSE

So are you paying that hefty amount for a kid whose supposedly weaker than the rest... Or is it the new International curriculum that's weaker? 

I would like to ask everyone, are these kids from different schools and board going to face different
set of questions according to their respective boards, when it comes to competitions after 12th std?

If the answer is no... Then why do we have all this confusion, when eventually we are all preparing 

our kids for the same platform. 

Indian education authorities have not even accepted the international curriculum as a part of their Education system and has no subsequent plans ahead for these kids in our country. It's recognition is only acknowledged in universities abroad, which can lead in hampering the child's dreams if for some reason he/she fails to get admissions abroad and will b compelled to study in an institution with others from Indian boards.

Many schools are not even recognised by the  respective boards and lack the credentials and norms to

call it an international school, however adding international tag is paying them immensely. The schools are same, Teachers are same but just one word international is heavy enough to pull in the money from people's pockets.

I am a parent, I have dreams for my child too... I want best education for him to do well in life ... But I refuse to be a victim of this marketing strategy or a gimmick many schools have started.


I strongly believe in a conducive learning environment any child can excel, all we need are basic
requisites for learning and a guiding force for them to show the right path, luxuries at this stage will

not only block their vision but also divert their attention towards comfort and a relaxed attitude.

Don't promise our kids a foreign trip and lure them to unnecessary adventures.. Let the parent decide for a family holiday rather. 

Focus on making the education system better and and the way of imparting knowledge a superior, rather then selling education in the name of international and other luxuries.

Standardise education in all schools, focus on improvising easy and creative ways of teaching to ensure Indian kids shine bright nationally as well as internationally.

Introduce yoga and instill our value system in our future generations to enrich our culture. Enforce
positive attitude  and focus on  personality development while they are young. The soft skills are a complete miss from our Eductaion system... That can be worked on to ensure we produce the best of students all around the world. 

We don't need international to sell education, we need a complete package that works on all the attributes of child's education and grow into an independent, knowledgeable and confident individual.

That should be the motive of education and since its every child's right to seek education ... It should have a well planned and calculated fee structure, which is economical for the parents to bear  instead of  burdening them. No one should be allowed to go overboard in  order to sell his institute and create disparity in the name of education among kids as well as parents.

Is dressing up unaesthetically is misconceived as Fashion ??

Fashion has always been there and will always be ...In other words fashion is never gonna go out of fashion ...but the question is..Are we confusing fashion with immorality?? Is dressing up unaesthetically is misconceived as fashion ??

For me fashion has never been simply following trends from bollywood or fashion magazines..I prefer adapting to the fashion so that it enhances my outer appearance and is pleasing at the same time ....

My dad always believed in the proverb 'Clothes make the man' ....I still remember how we were reminded time and again to be presentable whether we visited someone's house, market or even when we had guests over..... Dare we came out in drawing rooms in our night suits or nighties.

Well trimmed and neatly tied hair ...with crisp ironed clothes..and a pair of appropriate shoes..... are the memories from my childhood.

One reason could be that I come from an Army background but I would still not believe that it wud ever become a fashion when people would feel pride in a pair of ripped jeans and step out in so called bathroom slippers (which was only meant for bathrooms) ...and still be considered cool and happening.

There was a time when neatly done up classy hair buns and braids used to make style statements...On a contrary...Now a days fuzzy braids, messy hair and out of the bed look is the talk of the town.

Though I accept that times have changed and especially in a place like Mumbai... People really don't care who is wearing what and have a very chilled out attitude.... However I fail to understand how
could it be so cool to dress shabbily and yet not bother of what others have to say ....

On one side where Mumbai projects the best of the fashion brands, accessories and new trends ....the other side people just look comfortable in their own skin ..and give a damn....to people's eyes gauging  their appearance ...Be it a model or a celebrity.. 

I understand they can't be dressed like million bucks all the time but at least don't be so poorly dressed as u have just been dragged out of bed ...( even out of the bed look is not so scruffy )

I really wonder why do we have our closets full of clothes when all we need is a pair of torn shorts and a Ganji that works well for all occasions..

I would feel sorry if they didn't earn enough to efford another pair ... But believe me these are the people earning like crazy n would prefer to step out in style ..

Even for men, more facial hair the better...it's considered fashionable to not shave for weeks and step out like one zombie.

I remember Dad always said ...There is a lot you can tell about a person by their shoes..and a mans footwear plays a very significant role in how he wants to be perceived as a man.

 

Dressing simply and comfortably was always considered the priority. According to Leonardo da Vinci.. simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.

Simplicity comes from purity, beauty and quality ... But
would you consider today's generation sophisticated??

Even if i choose to say yes which i doubt...My parents generation would never get convinced with this idea of fashion and style.

I personally feel we should spent at least a good few minutes...before the mirror to ensure we don't become a laughing stalk outside the comforts of our home.

I believe fashion is having a style of your own rather than blindly copying others... Always wear
comfortable clothing that looks gud on you not on your favorite star.. Dressing is a huge part of ones
personality and speaks volumes about them.

Everyone dresses up for an event or a wedding ...but how you project yourself in your daily wear is what people perceive of you .. 

As a child I was always told a well ironed and well fitted clothes are a requisite ... Then comes the colour the texture the brand and so on ..

We have indoors to dress as casually as we wish to ... However when we walk in a crowd we are bound to be judged by our looks and that's what we call a first impression ...

So here I would say Follow trends, be fashionable but above all keep it simple, decent and dignified ... Cause that's never gonna go out of fashion ..whatsoever.

Are parents pushing their kids for good ???

Life is a series of challenges filled with surprises.. And that's what makes life interesting. One of the biggest challenges could also be bringing up our children who are closest to our hearts and means the world to us... It can be an out of the world experience for many whereas many would have their world upside down with lack of patience n perseverance ....

Parenting is not a piece of cake, it's definitely a challenge that one has to accept once you are blessed with a child. Once a baby is born we long for the days when the challenge gets little lesser... Maybe once the baby turns 2 or another year or once they start schooling and so on....

And then comes the time when just schooling is not enough and we start engaging them into different  hobby classes, sports, activities and so on ...

How many of you think its in the best interest of the child? 

Are we trying to brighten their future by indulging them in these classes or are we pushing them to make space for ourselves??

I agree, many a times even parents don't have a choice but to keep the kid engaged in order to keep them away from
the other threats they might have in their absence.

However the question is how much is too much .....??

The school holidays turn out to be the craziest days to deal with ...when parents run out of ideas to keep the kids busy.

Thanks to these workshops during holidays....though many find it a waste of money .. A large number would crave for it to start.. ..To be honest all it takes is money but at  least it can take away the stress of dealing with the kid whole day long....that's too much to handle for many parents.

Well I am not trying to make parents feel guilty of the fact above .....but the truth is whether you agree or you don't ....you are taking away the best days of your kids life and of course yours too.           

I sometimes wonder, as kids grow they will have no choice but to join the rat race of handling responsibilities, proving their grades, finding jobs and so on...

This is the time when we have a choice to give them the freedom of going with their own pace, encourage playful learning, allow them to make mistakes and discipline them by being a role model. The days sans worries, tensions, far from day today rush with just love and affection surrounding them.

Isn't that how childhood supposed to be ??

It's not surprising to see kids lacking bond with their parents and grandparents ....

Are we to blame them for this lack of attachment ?

I wouldn't ...I personally feel its us who are making them feel distant by not being emotionally available to them when they need us the most..

Two great things you can give your children: One is roots, the other is wings. 

Childhood needs to be nurtured with love, care and devotion. Parents it is a sacrifice worth making!

                                       *To a child love is spelled as T I M E*