Khursheed Ahmad Wani
Nature has made this world pulchritudinous and endowed man with intellect to enjoy this beauty. We are living in a state of uncertainty from decades which has had a profound effect on our minds, especially our young generation who have completely affected. Their minds have become like volcanoes and their utterances as lava. There is bitterness in their speech, upset heart, fog around eyes and a revolutionary mind. As far as Kashmir is concerned, the teaching process in schools has been completely affected since 2016 and particularly from the last one year due to which the interest of students in reading is declining. Their focus today is on mobile phones and now they become Cellcoholic. They shut themselves in their homes and don’t let anyone in. We must remember that whenever our child starts doing this, we must understand that there is something fishy. If such incidents are not addressed in the beginning, it will turn our youth into an altered state of consciousness from where it is very difficult to return. This altered state of consciousness sometimes becomes a cause of suicide. Every day we find evidence of such incidents. Our little inattention has so far ruined the future of millions of children. We need to address this inattention as soon as possible so that our youth can move forward and secure their future. It will not only benefit them but it can benefit the entire society. It is matter of concern for all. The most important responsibility on our shoulders is to enquire their activities so that they do not indulge themselves in evil deeds. As far as evil deeds in society is concerned. One of the evil we see with our own eyes or hear from others is the evil of taking and consuming drugs. It now becomes a fashion among youngsters. Today’s new generation who use drugs to keep themselves happy for a few moments do not know how dangerous this step can be for their lives. They have gone astray. They do not understand that they are playing with their future; they will get nothing but misery. At first they get into the bad habit of smoking and later this habit makes them addicted to drugs. The most common drug used in almost every locus is the use of Cannabis. Cannabis is a natural local plant found locally everywhere in Kashmir Valley. A resinous extract of it smoked or consumed as a mind-altering drug. It is illegal practice. It has various mental and physical effects which include altered state of mind, difficulty in concentrating, impaired short-term memory and increase in appetite. It can also cause delinquent behavior, aggression, rebellion and poor relationships with family, especially parents. Many innocent lives have been destroyed. If used from adolescent age, it can reduce IQ by up to 8 points.
Islamic scholars say Cannabis is forbidden and refer to a hadith of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) regarding alcoholic drinks, which says “If much intoxicates, then even a little is haraam.”
Anti-social behavior such as stealing money and lying are thoroughly seen and found in them. Whenever we come across a person who use Cannabis we get annoyed by the bad smell, red eyes, sensation of heat , cold and increased heart rate. Seeing their condition one becomes sad. Every day we learn about addicts through media. Recently some boys were seen at SKIMS committing this crime. In this context, many Islamic scholars say Cannabis is forbidden and refer to a hadith of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) regarding alcoholic drinks, which says “If much intoxicates, then even a little is haraam.” Nowadays another social evil is becoming common in the form of Heatx (a synthetic rubber adhesive). With the help of nostrils, addicts often become addicted to its toxic odor. Such things tear apart many innocent lives. If such situations are not controlled quickly, we will soon face the worst. In the long run, such people become a cancer for society. It is the responsibility of every sensible person in the society to pay heed to this issue and fulfill their responsibility.
( The author is a teacher at Education Zone Mawer, of Langate area of North Kashmi’s Kupwara district. Views are his own) [email protected]
