OH GOD
We have heard of
oxymoron in language/ poetry; the occasion to employ it in life-situation seems
to have emerged. The day’s news paper [05-09-2022] carried a report of an
unusual act of cruelty by a mother, not to her child but to someone else’s. Mind
refuses to calm down. The occurrence was this.
A school boy in
8th standard fell unconscious after taking a cold drink, given to
him by the school watchman. Shocked at the boy’s swooning, he was admitted to
hospital by people around. Despite treatment, the boy succumbed by midnight. Boy,
not coming back home even after fall of night, naturally sent waves of panic
among his family members who learnt of his being admitted to the hospital. That
he could not be revived by doctors / their efforts threw up questions
as to who administered poison to end his life, though the drink was given to
the boy by the watchman of the school. Obviously, the matter turned an item for
police investigation and CCTV footage was scrutinized to establish the links therein.
A lady was found
handing over a bottle of drink to the watchman. The watchman did what the lady had
said. It turned out that the lady is the mother of a girl who is a classmate of
the boy who had this tragic end. Police picked up the girl’s mother past
midnight for investigation.
Newspaper report
has suggested that the girl found the going tough to compete with the boy in
studies and in competitions, with the boy holding higher status always. The two
were to have taken part in a dance competition. Unable to bear the consistent
supremacy of the boy, the girl’s mother had resorted to this measure. She seems
to have added a ‘rat killer paste’ to the cold drink.
A boy has been
wiped out for no fault of his.
The issue opens
up several facets for us to understand. Doctors
are unable to save a life because they could not avail of the right antidote
with no clues to the kind of toxin [poison] to combat against.
We have known of
children coming under pressure to muster topmost score in higher secondary
examinations, so as to acquire a seat in profession study. Is it such a tough task to compete at the
level of 8th standard? Even if so, is it absolutely important to be a
winner always? If none wants the second place, what is competition?
What kind of
hatred such mothers feed their children with? If mothers are so keen of their
wards being the first in whatever they do, why not give the best training to
the child?
Is it a crime to
shine better or shine by contrast?
At this juncture,
I am reminded of an observation that “Gold medalists are not excellent teachers”.
Also, I am reminded of another saying in English, which reads “you cannot grow
taller by beheading others”.
This lady looks
a monster mother -an oxymoron that fits the occasion.
Prof. K. Raman
We have come across incidents of children committing suicide because they couldn't win berth in the finale. This incidence has gone several notches up. Where is the society heading to?
ReplyDeleteWe all feel for the boy and want to punish the lady who did this plot.
ReplyDeleteOf course for the lady’s daughter who is not involved in this treachery , we pity her. Nobody can give a correct judgement over this incident.
K.Venkataraman