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This is, undoubtedly a vitally relevant and important topic for survey an reflection and we should realize that it is the need of the hour, to focus on this controversial issue.

We are the proud inheritants of a great civilization, a rich culture, and a magnificent heritage. Sri Lanka, our mother country can be considered, one of the few countries, which can boast of a culture and tradition, of over 2500 years.

The aura of history and the exquisite life that our predecessors, have exhibited itself, is very much evident in the ruined cities, at Anuradhapura, Polonnaruva, Sigiriya, and many other historical sites in Sri Lanka. We have seen and boasted of these great historical splendour, of our past glory, with great pride, prestige and joy and it seems as if they were the only achievements we have made up to the present century.

In the present day, everybody watches with horrible apprehension, its decadence and are facing the reality that we are living in a period of dying culture and civilization. Cultural barrenness shows its ugly head everywhere. The vibrant causes can be detected in the infrastructure of society. The phenomena of violence, deterioration of moral values, pervasive media influence, and unprecedented challenges from a multitude of sources are the vital subjects for reflection.

The past few decades have revealed radical social changes, where the accepted high social traditions, social values, attitudes, customs and habits, have been dismissed with contempt, as detrimental in a fast developing world. Infiltration of alien dogmas, ideologies, notions, and concepts, have gained ground in an unprecedented manner. It has further enhanced the decay in manners, and mores in society, and the recognition of indigenous values.

Hence the simple lifestyles have become more complex and complicated, and detrimental to the social structure. It should not be mistaken as a fanatical rejection of all modernism, and strict adherence to the indigenous values, and way of life. It requires us to be sensibly aware of all the new developments around the globe, which would hinder the very identity of the Sri Lankan nation.

Generations

We have witnessed a tremendously and alarmingly widening gap between the two generations. No doubt, it is apparently clear, that the previous closer relationship between the two, no longer exists, and this is a serious challenge to the progress of society. Gone are the days, when the older generation had a profound influence or hold on the young charges, focusing on their general behavior patterns, spiritual awareness, moral upbringing, and lifestyles.

Their inspiration was well-worth, in shaping the lives of the young charges, and enhancing family prestige, and family ties, and promoting peace and harmony in the family. The old order has been replaced with the new, and a survey would reveal how best and to what extent, the orderliness and sense of decorum of the old order has been retained. We see a youth driven culture, shaped as it is, by beauty, fame, style and a sense of arrogance, and stubbornness, with the older generation, ignored and treated as relics of a conservative or old fashioned world.

Hence their reluctance to seek their inspired guidance, views, or opinions. Children have become self-determined individuals, who vehemently reject the old order. Present day crisis, is part and parcel of this breakaway, and it seems extremely necessary to revive this relationship or link, to reap fruitful benefits in the long run. There was a time when two things governed us, when the terror of society, was the basis of our morals, and the terror of God, the secret of religion. In the old order, religion, reigned in its pristine glory, and had a guiding influence on our lives.

In present day society, religion has lost its prestige and influence, especially among the younger generation, and its vibration has caused a diversity of problems, within the family, and community. The very foundation of our nation, built upon the rich culture and religious concepts and traditions of life, trembles, and would explode any moment, provided these ani-social elements are left ignored and vulnerable to further interaction and vibration.

Since we are going through a transitional stage, it is vitally essential to focus on the younger generation, in molding the density of our nation. Parents today are under a great deal of stress, due to rapid changes or breakdown of traditional family and social structures. Youth and parents thrive under tremendous stress, resulting in physical, emotional and behavioral problems.

Parents, addicted to drugs and alcohol, to relieve their worries and grievances, would no doubt, be a bad example in the eyes of the children, who will feel frustrated and insecure, about their own future.

Exemplary, conduct by the elder generation is extremely vital. We know how over-ambitious parents, push their young charges, into competition, to shine in studies, sports, aesthetics and if their achievements are not upto their preconceived levels, or expectations, there would be friction between the two. Silly infatuations, adulterous relationships, academic failures, and lack of employment opportunities, low self esteem, and frustrations, provoke them in attempts to commit suicide, which is yet another major disaster among the youth.

With the advent of modernity, the wealth and social class gap has widened rapidly and the most affected are the youth, who have developed a potential source of violent behaviours, in the present turbulent society. Forget the triumphant political inclinations of a selected few.

No doubt, the current trend of indiscipline, reflects the breakdown of moral values and traditions, for which the elder generation, should take collective responsibility.

Discipline promote moral and spiritual growth. Parental, love, affection, concern and care are essential, but not overlooking misconduct or indiscipline.

We see in the current trend, such social elements, where with the slightest irritation or disagreement, they get emotionless shaken, and provoked into violent behaviour, and turn out to be parasites to society.

Some, who cannot cope up with academic achievements, suffer serious set backs in the social environment too, and end up with violent outbursts for no apparent reason.

Ragging at Universities and schools, is one such perennial problem, which has been vehemently condemned. It can be regarded as the most sickening and horrendous relic of the university traditions. It is tragic to see, at the pinnacle of education, in such a dignified environment, diverse forms of heinous activities, performed in the name of innocent ragging. It seems a battle between the discontented and the contented.

Curriculum

The curriculum of education, is equally important, and presently, the impact of it on the younger generation is visible. Society mirrors the culture of a nation. The present could be a reflection of the past and the present a reflection of what the future is going to be. Hence we have to take precautions now. It is apparently clear, that History, embraces, the splendour of the life styles of our predecessors, and the grandeur of our culture and heritage.

We analyze the past, and use it as a level measure or guideline, to reshape and remodel the present, and the way we shape it today, we would see the outcome tomorrow.

In most countries they have made history compulsory, as a subject, for its people to have a thorough knowledge of the country's past history while in our own country, it is just the reverse. It has no relevance to present day politics and at times is distorted and presented in different forms, according to the whims and fancies of the writer. Early 1970's history lost its prestige as it failed to confront the other job-oriented subjects.

History and literature were dethroned and lost its previous elevated position. Both these subjects died an unnatural death. The tragic outcome is that, the youth of today, have no knowledge, whatsoever, of their country's past history or heritage, or our own social values and traditions. The elder generation, has had the opportunity of studying history and literature, as separate subjects, and tend to offer their respect.

Honour, and gratitude, to their forefathers for having bestowed on them a rich culture and heritage to be proud of. Also for having inculcated in them a great sense of pride and patriotic feeling, which has been denied to the younger generation.

We witness around us a mass cultural erosion or pollution, taking place as a result of the political and social pressures in society. The theatre, television and cinema, having to some degree, earned a bad reputation have become mighty dictators, contributing towards this cultural erosion. No doubt, these thrive on a commercial basis, with money being the underlying motive, disregarding its drastic impact on the younger generation. Here we see a new culture, that has set in, with people masquerading in multitudes of masks, moving about freely and sneakily, quite immune to the demands of society.

Most of these productions, have no sensible plot or theme, other than sex abuse or horrible sex scandal, or some stupid themes, which outrageously and shamelessly exposes the nudity or semi nudity of sex starved men and women, which corrupt and pollute the immature young minds. Such pollution of the arts, through indecent and obscene programs and creations of low quality, presented by "concept barren" directors, in the guise of entertainment, has begun to destroy the morality and modesty of our youth. Movies, with the "Adults Only" trade mark is merely a farce, which directly target and entwine the innocent youth, who fall easy prey to such prostitution.

Public is misled by the enormity of money thrown into publicity, to make the creation appear a super grade production. Hence it is the youth who are pushed into a world of frustration, and illusion, being unable to distinguish between a good and a bad creation. The humanity and the dignity of man, much cherished among the older generation, has sunk to rock bottom, since money is the only triumphant and determining factor, above everything else.

The mass media can, undoubtedly play an overwhelmingly powerful role in promoting radical social changes, convey, and communicate ideas, attitudes, opinions, and champion causes, for the betterment of society. It has happened in history.

Schools can play a magnificent role in this area, through its educational, social and recreation activities. From childhood, children should be guided and disciplined, to grow up in an atmosphere or framework of "unity in diversity" to respect and be tolerant of one another's, views, opinions, attitudes, and life styles, and to understand the meaning of co-existence.

Teachers, have an important or pivotal role to play in this field, to reshape, re-model, and remould, and re-energise these young charges, to confront the challenges of the future, in the best interests of society.

Political navigators, can no longer ignore this hazardous threat to our nation and the future generation.

The Heads of State, or persons who hold authority, and responsibility, should realize, that it is the need of the hour, to focus on this controversial issue, to prevent its drastic impact on the present and future generation, - the heroes of tomorrow. Let all be committed, and dedicated, to this noble national cause, to preserve, protect and promote our rich culture and heritage, for all of us and the generations to come.

- Desha Kala Keerthie Irangani Kalutanthri

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