 Poor
discipline from youngsters
My darling daughter,
These days, there are reports in the media of various laws that are
to be enacted to curb the rising violence. I somehow think, daughter, that
laws can at best be a poor preventive mechanism. A child should first have
knowledge of right and wrong and that he can learn firstly from his parents.
Often parents themselves give a wrong notion to the young. They seem
to imply that affluence is the only criterion that matter. Recently I saw
a youngster driving one of those beautiful sports cars. He was trying to
overtake a van taking some school children, on a narrow stretch of road
that did not allow for overtaking. Oh but he was getting quite impatient.
Tooting his horn and trying his best to get in front of the van, he managed
to get ahead regardless of oncoming vehicles, and then without proceeding
on his way, he screeched to a halt in front of the van forcing the old
driver to stop. The youngster scarcely more than a schoolboy with his friends
came up to the van and abused the old driver in language which I hope was
not learnt in the home. He almost tried to manhandle the driver. But wiser
counsel prevailed and the three youngsters went away laughing, well pleased
with themselves, leaving behind a very frightened old man.
To me the behaviour of the boys was scandalous. Such a lack of discipline
and good behaviour from boys who most probably would be attending some
prestigious college and apparently came from affluent homes. I wondered
how their parents would have reacted, maybe laughed it off as a boyish
prank. I think it is the permissiveness and latitude of parents that give
rise to such behaviour on the part of their children.
I wish, daughter, people did not regard wealth and position as a
substitute for decent behaviour. I think those who have the benefits of
a comfortable life should be more understanding and compassionate towards
others, for after all they lack nothing, but then perhaps daughter, maybe
they lack the love and guidance of their parents.
Would you think that is the reason they ride so rough shod over the
needs and feelings of others? After all if there is love in a home and
children grow up in an atmosphere of sharing and respecting each other,
then that behaviour will be reflected in society. So I guess in a way not
all the laws in the world will bring in moral values unless they are first
learnt in the home. Do tell me what you and your young friends think.
Ammi
Champions Song
When the Sri Lanka cricket team begin their defence of the World Cup
with the blessings of every Sri Lankan, their hearts will ring with words
of inspiration. The Gypsies World Cup Challenge, a song created by Sunil
Perera and the Gypsies will no doubt spur the heroes on.
The Gypsies World Cup Challenge was launched on April 22 at the Crystal
Ballroom of the Taj Samudra amidst a large gathering that included officials
of the Board of Control for Cricket, well wishers and of course the Gypsies
headed by Sunil. The song, created in the typical, toe-tapping Gypsies
style, promises to be a hit, what with cricket fever catching on as the
World Cup draws near.
Singer has been sponsoring the Sri Lanka cricket team since 1995. "We
are happy to be associated with a song that is created exclusively to cheer
the boys on for this year's World Cup," says a company spokesman.
"Gypsies World Cup Challenge is more than just a song, it is an anthem
that cheers the team on, that tells the boys that the whole of Sri Lanka
is behind them."
Other nations have created songs that encourage their national teams.
Some of these have gone on to become worldwide hits. In Sri Lanka, we have
had many songs about cricket but none that accompanies an effort such as
the participation of the Sri Lankan team in the World Cup," the spokesman
added.
The Gypsies World Cup Challenge will carry with it the wishes of every
Sri Lankan for the teams triumph.
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