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It was October 1, the day dedicated to Children and Elders. I turned
on the TV hoping to view a programme and what do I find? A group of
children just in their teens attacking their school Principal. They
looked so vicious and full of hatred. I just could not help asking
myself, 'Where have all our children gone? Why have they lost the
innocence of childhood? Who is to blame?'
Even if the Principal was not wanted, they need not have behaved as
they did, incited by their parents who should have known better. Do the
parents realize that they are preparing rods for their own backs by
inciting their innocent children to violence? Can anyone or anything
make up for a lost childhood? Children are no longer permitted to be
children and today there are mostly caricatures of self-seeking adults
greedy for fame - and cheap fame at that. Ask any child and they will
give the answer, “My parents want me to be this and that” etc. When a
girl-child is raped, we all react in horror. Why does this happen?
Parents are mostly to blame. They want their children to be first in
everything, sometimes forgetting that the child's mind is easily
perverted. There are adults who take advantage of this. The Bible says
“It is better that a mill-stone be hung on the neck of those who hurt
little children and they be drowned in the sea.” This goes for parents
too who mislead their children. Children are the jewels of our land, so
let us protect them not mislead them.
It is useless making a big “do” about 'Children's Day' if elders do
not see the harm they are doing by not leading their children on the
correct path. Anyway most of the elders in our country (that includes
the 'Dons') are not giving the right motivation to the younger
generation.
Time will tell if we do not realize our mistakes. In time we may end
up with a land full of morons!
C. Taylor Peradeniya
Advertisements are telecast aplenty on every TV channel daily. For
whatever nature of advertisements, young and pretty girls are being
shown either moderately or indecently dressed. We see on news telecasts
on the same TV channels, accidental deaths of both elders and children
due to gross carelessness or ignorance.
Drunken drivers speeding their vehicles, motor cyclists together with
pillion riders overtaking and often flying, mothers allowing children to
play near unprotected wells, placing bottle lamps at reachable heights
of children, storing bottles of poisonous liquids close to medicine
bottles, allowing children to have river baths, sending small or big
girls along lonely paths etc, are some of them.
When we see parents and family members finally crying over dead
bodies, we as parents really feel sorry for them.
These unfortunate incidents could be reduced or rather avoided if
people are made aware of the warnings shown on whatever advertisement.
Will not saving a life, especially a small child, give us great merit
and a pleasure too? TV stations could persuade advertisers who approach
them, for advertisements by way of a lesson to the public, especially of
fatal occurrences.
Last but not in least, commercial companies instead of wasting their
money for carnivals and other public shows, should utilize such monies
to provide basic medical equipment, medicine and other items to the
needy hospitals.
Have we not seen how patients are suffering? Will not we one day fall
sick and suffer despite whatever our physical status and our financial
positions? Have not we amassed wealth for several generations of ours to
enjoy and should we continue beyond that too? Donate to the needy and
alleviate whatever the suffering that may unexpectedly come to you by
way of such meritorious acts.
Nazly Cassim - Colombo 13
The Unani medical system is one of the indigenous medical systems in
Sri Lanka. It was introduced by the Arabs who arrived for trade
purposes. It is based on herbo-mineral treatment and has been successful
where western treatment has failed. For the benefit of readers of the
Citizens’ Mail Column I give below the use of Ginger as explained in the
Unani medical system.
Ancient physicians used Ginger know as Zanjabeel in Arab as a
carmanative or anti-flatulent.
The Greek physician Gallen used ginger to treat paralysis caused by
phlegmatic imbalance in the body. The Arab Physician Avicenna used it as
an aphrodisiac centuries ago. Ginger was also used by Pomose the
Physician in the treatment of gout.
For Digestive Disorders
Chewing a piece of fresh ginger regularly after meals prevent
dyspepsia, flatulence, colic, vomiting and other painful affections of
the stomach and the bowels, not accompanied by fever.
Half a teaspoon of fresh ginger juice mixed with one teaspoon each of
fresh lime and mint juices and a tablespoon of bees honey taken thrice a
day, is an effective medicine for indigestion caused by the intake of
heavy non-vegetarian and fried fatty food, morning sickness, piles,
jaundice and vomiting
Cough and Cold
One teaspoon mixture of juices of ginger, garlic and bees honey taken
2-3 times a day, cures cough and gives relief in asthma. 10 gms of
ginger boiled in water, taken with milk with sugar 2-3 times a day cures
cough and colds.
A teaspoon each of heated ginger juice with bees honey taken three
times a day for a few days, cures cough and cold and gives relief in
asthma.
Ear ache
One drop of ginger oil (ginger juice boiled in mustard oil) put into
the ear relieves earaches.
Harshi Nadie Perera - Piliyandala
Education is something which gives you a welter of information about
the life that you live, the past, present and future. Everything is
based on a set of knowledge that plays a vital role on each individual.
Education gives you not only the desirables but far more beyond that.
Teaching is the way of educating the rising generation to become
future leaders. Children should be taught the good and bad at a tender
age by parents and teachers. Education must be given in a fitting
manner.
The way of teaching paves the way for the young generation to be in
line with the good and bad. Education for the benefit of each and every
child would bring a meaning to life.
All teachers should analyze the way of teaching in a wider
perspective, with the passage of time which education gains prominence.
That is development in every aspect that could be seen. By and large,
most students do not understand the value of education.
It is the bounden duty of teachers to make them realize the gravity
of education. Teachers should discharge their duties keeping in mind
that they are moulding a nation.
'Reading makes a full man
Conference a ready man
Writing an exact man
and the virtue is like a
rich stone best plane set'
The above noble thoughts by Sir Francis Bacon vividly show the value
of education. Education does not mean the printed books to be studied.
Beyond that, there are unlimited aspects to be gained and derived, such
as honesty, wisdom, the spirit of religion etc. One's beauty is not seen
physically but through the way he behaves, the response paid towards
others, humanity and discipline. Some teachers work with the aim of
earning income by simply teaching something.
They do not care how it would affect the child. Under these
circumstance, children face a critical situation. Their very lives are
at risk.
These should come to a standstill. In the process of education we
should work with each and every one to build a balanced personality
through education.
One should not forget that education is a process from the womb to
the tomb. In other words, it is a life process. A good learner is an
asset. Education dispels darkness in the world. Education is an
invisible treasure which follows you throughout your life.
M.N.F. Rushda – Galle
There are many employees of the former peoplised bus companies who
subsequently became employees of the Sri Lanka Transport Board under the
provisions of Section 33 (1) of the SLTB Act No. 27 of 2005 and who have
since retired or ceased employment with the Board for other reasons. At
the same time there are ex-employees of such companies who did not deem
to be employees of the SLTB but are entitled to be compensated by virtue
of the shares held by them.
These ex-employees have been persistently addressing the Transport
Ministry with the copies of relevant share certificates held by them,
that they be compensated in respect of each such share in accordance
with Section 33 (3) of the said Act but with no response.
Some of the employees referred to above are in poor health and some
are not among the living.
I therefore wish to request the Transport Minister to kindly
intervene in this matter and ensure that the ex-employees/heirs
concerned, are paid their due compensation without further delay, for
which they will be ever grateful.
H.W. Goonesekera - Panadura
Recently, I got the opportunity of attending a wedding at night at
the Pradeepa Hall in Maligawatte and was happy to see the vast
improvements made to it.
I noticed that more taps have been fitted for guests to use and that
the pantry and toilet areas are kept very clean.
The hall is well coloured and has been brightly lit. The lawns on
either side of it have been well maintained with plants grown and
illuminated with colourful bulbs. On one side skidding boards, swings
and other items too have been provided for those children who come along
with their parents. Parking facilities are available and the approach
roads are well developed.
The Housing Minister is appreciated for having renovated this hall to
the great satisfaction of those, especially the middle class people, who
will reserve it for any of their functions.
However I heard that no improvements have been made to the other two
Pradeepa Halls at Gunasinghapura and Mattakuliya. I hope the Minister
would look into them too.
Nazly Cassim - Colombo 13
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