The sharp decline in the ethics and morality of the people is really shocking . It is well known that within every man there is a contradiction between his conscience and instinctive desires. While animals are servile to their instinct but human beings have a command of their conscience over the instinctive desires. The definite indication of social crisis is the sharply increasing trend of suicide and variety other mental disease and derangements among the younger generations. Particularly the suicidal tendency is sharply on the increase among the students and young youths . The problem of suicide has become a crucial issue today in Jammu and Kashmir, as we recognise it but, hardly there is any attempt to understand and redress the problem. We see that scores of young youths committing suicide belonged upper middle class families. The education is assuming the character of investment more mental pressure is created on the students to be successful and able enough to guarantee the return. The social isolation and unbelievable mental stress, as a result of ruthless competition in this crisis ridden system, failure and frustration are also the reason for the rise in suicidal tendencies among young people . They tend to carry their own burdens alone without anyone around to share, and get moral and emotional support from. This leads to an oversensitive mental condition, which sometimes lead to attempted and actual cases of suicide .
The psychosocial, social and financial impact of suicide on the family and the society is immeasurable. The UT government is also recognising it but there is no attempt to redress the crucial issue, at least to initiate the counseling units.
Since covid2019 at least 500 people across have killed themselves. And it is not only SMHS Srinagar one but others hospitals too have recorded several cases of suicides in the recent and past. Totally unprecedented psychological aberrations are being observed among very young boys and girls. Addiction to gadgets like laptops and smart phones are destroying the habits of children’s. The internet mobile culture is promoting a virtual community, where time spent playing with local friends is replaced by internet gaming with virtual playmates. , and face -to face communication and meaningful personal relationships are replaced by virtual friendship through social networks. Youth and children are living in the virtual world, isolated from reality, with only gadgets giving them company. Too much addiction to internet and self -centered approach often aggravates their isolated life. In this age of social networking and websites youth are isolated in their societies and live a reclusive life. Many guardians don’t allow their wards to study books or encourage any informal reading fearing that this would divert their attention from concentrating on their career. The lack of acquaintance with the lives of great men who could have been their role model in life, lack of association, friendship and emotional relations within family and society and constant exposure to unbearable stress generated due to rat-race for success “all these are sharply increasing and desperateness, rudeness, purposeless arrogance and ruthlessness among the younger generations. A suicide is committed every day, attempts to take their lives and as for those who feel desperate and unable to cope, the number is mind boggling. More suicides occur between 18 to 45 in other words in the most productive age group of our society. The psychosocial, social and financial impact of suicide on the family and the society is immeasurable. The UT government is also recognising it but there is no attempt to redress the crucial issue, at least to initiate the counseling units.
(The author is RTI and Environment Activist. Views are his own)
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