Reflection For Parents On Children's Day

Rev Fr Paul Lelen Haokip *

Children's Day celebration on November 14 2014 :: pix - Hueiyen Lanpao

INTRODUCTION:

Though, the name is Children's Day, we are actually celebrating Parent's Day as well. Children are the replica or bi-product of parents. Children reflect your character and personality. There are but real and frank representation of parents in the society. "Good trees bear good fruits" is the truth of the day. Not just commemorating someone's birthday, Children's day should become a day of rejoicing for parents to see their own image in their children.

Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru spent lot of his time with children for he was very fond of them and strongly believed that only a healthy and a happy child will grow upto be a responsible citizen who can build a strong nation in future. Children also inturn loved him very much and called him as Chacha Nehru or Uncle Nehru.

BIBLICAL TRUTHS AND GUIDELINES:

Though the Bible is forbidden to be read as a textbook in many schools and educational institutions, the Bible is one of the most commonly read books in the prisons. If this book were to be read in real life, we would have less prisoners behind bars.

Deuteronomy 6:6-9 - "These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates." Malachi 4:6 - "He will turn the hearts of the parents to their children, and the hearts of the children to their parents; or else I will come and strike the land with total destruction."Colossians 3:21 - "Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged".

HOW TO HONOUR PARENTS:

Children, you can't change your parents whatsoever. You can only remain satisfied only if you treat and respect your beloved parents. Emulate their goodness and learn from their misbehaviours. And the good book says, Exodus 20:12 - "Honour your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you." Proverbs 20:20 - "If someone curses their father or mother, their lamp will be snuffed out in pitch darkness."

Proverbs 23:22 - "Listen to your father, who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old." Proverbs 23:24 - "The father of a righteous child has great joy; a man who fathers a wise son rejoices in him." Colossians 3:20 - "Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord." Ephesians 6:1-2 - "Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. "Honour your father and mother"—which is the first commandment with a promise"

CHILDREN'S DAY GIFT: Security

Mere purchase of costly items for children won't suffice. Children need Security to grow. If the recently murdered young girls like ThiyamBindyarani of WangbalHeirithong and LongjamJina of PatsoiThoroijamManingLeikai were asked, they would definitely accuse you/us Parents/Elders/Law keepers/Teachers for their unsafe environment. Crime against women and children seem to rise like the price hike and cheap as the usual Manipur bandhs.

RIGHT TO EDUCATION: Some ideas for awareness

The Act makes it mandatory for every child between the ages of 6-14 to be provided for education by the State. This means that such child does not have to pay a single penny as regards books, uniforms etc… too.

Any time of the academic year, a child can go to a school and demand that this right be respected.

Private education institutions have to reserve 25% of their seats starting from class I in 2011 to disadvantaged students.

Strict criteria for the qualification of teachers. There is a requirement of a teacher student ration of 1:30 at each of these schools that ought to be met within a given time frame.

The schools need to have certain minimum facilities like adequate teachers, playground and infrastructure. The government will evolve some mechanism to help marginalised schools comply with the provisions of the Act.

There is anew concept of 'neighbourhood schools' that has been devised. This is similar to the model in the United States. This would imply that the state government and local authorities will establish primary schools within walking distance of one km of the neighbourhood. In case of children for Class VI to VIII, the school should be within a walking distance of three km of the neighbourhood.

Unaided and private schools shall ensure that children from weaker sections and disadvantaged groups shall not be segregated from the other children in the classrooms nor shall their classes be held at places and timings different from the classes held for the other children

CHILDREN'S RIGHT TO EDUCATION:

Plans and Schemes and mere pronouncement of Rights don't bring change. We need committed and right persons at the helm to take care of the Children's Rights. The functioning of this important mechanism lies in the hands of the Government. While education is one of the most important work of any Government, in Manipur we have many good private persons ready to dedicate themselves towards the betterment of the society through education. The Government of Manipur should be doubly grateful to all the private schools who have voluntarily extended their help without any Government's financial support.

CONCLUSION:

If parents buy toy guns and fire crackersrather than books and notebooks for children, perhaps children learn even from early childhood how to handle arms – may be unprofessionally. If they see you drunk and brawling, you have taught them early. "Catch them young" is perhaps your philosophy. If they see you treating his/her mother (your wife) badly, they will be convinced that women should be treated that way. What they see at home, they bring to schools and colleges.

Mere teachers take hard time to correct those anti-social behaviours. Perhaps they will think "how is that, these things are allowed and practised in my home and not allowed in the schools and colleges?". They may even have dilemma in principles. What you endorse in purchase and practise is what they will turn out to be. Happy reflection day.