Have our "Youth Brigade" derailed ?

The islanders recently woke up to a shocking incident of a minor girl forced into flesh trade. The incident came to light when A&N Police raided one of the brothels (illegal) at Garacharma recently. The girl (minor) narrated (to the lady constable) the tragic turn of events that landed her in the brothel. The girl had been in a telephonic relationship with a boy (22 Yrs) who in the pretext of marrying prompted her to elope with him. The innocent girl fell prey to the lure and left her parents house. They roamed around in the city visiting places. At the fall of the day, the boy took her to one of his friend’s house, where he reportedly raped her and later deserted the girl somewhere near Chatham and fled. Having lost her virginity, the girl could not garner courage to inform her parents of the trauma. Thereafter what happened is even worse, than what one could imagine. One after the other, three autorickshaw drivers, two police men, a hotel receptionist, waiter, two others, an accountant (all in their 20’s) and a cook came to her help, but everyone ended up adding to the girl’s misery.  One of the auto driver (23 Yrs) went a step ahead and lodged the girl at a brothel at Garacharma.

The incident reported as “Love, Sex and Dhoka” by a local daily (Andaman Sheekha) is by far the most heinous, but not the only one of its kind. Crime against women is on a rise; becoming an order of the day. The islands till recently was considered the most safe zone, but unfortunately it no longer remains so. Frequent occurrence and recurrence of crime against women raises several questions. What has happened to our younger generation? What led the distressed girl to seek help from unknown auto drivers without first contacting her parents? Are the auto drivers so merciless that they did not think twice before taking advantage of a girl in distress? Are the auto drivers so shrewd that they does not hesitate acting as pimp, landing girls at brothels? Has our city become so unsafe? Or is it that we could not give our younger generation the right kind of virtues, questions are many.

A look at the profile of the 15 culprits arrested so far in the case reveals all of them (except one) are youths in their 20’s. The incident forces us to think where did we go wrong? What are the factors that led youngsters to deviate from the morals that used to be the hallmark of our society? Perhaps if we evaluate the contents broadcast in TV and Cinema we could get some clue. Recently a minister has said time has come when we cannot even watch news channel along with family. Irrational use of mobile phones and internet is another source of distraction for the younger generation. All these factors along with availability of bars at every furlong is acting as catalyst deteriorating the social order that once prevailed in these islands.

The recent crackdown on the brothels and the shocking revelations of the minor rescued in the operation should be an eye opener for one and all specially the parents who till this time had been depriving their family of his quality time and spending hours in front of the TV or elsewhere. Its high time for everybody to understand the necessity to fill up those gaping holes in their relationship with the family. Mobile phones and internet though essential in the present scenario, but we need to draw a clear “laxman rekha” visible to the children.

We need to understand none of those warnings or prohibitions is going to work on today’s children unless they themselves accept and understand the gravity of the issue. Present generation is lot more advanced, at the same time they are highly vulnerable. Freedom is necessary for growth, but we need to keep tracking their footprints both in the real and the virtual world with utmost care; not to suspect or send message of mistrust or they will start hiding things from parents. Restrictions will be taken as a hurdle and every body will agree the present generation is best equipped to clear those hurdles and roadblocks without leaving us a trail to follow. It is the right mixture of care, caution and freedom that is going to keep our children in the right path.

The best and easiest way would be to start spending more and more time with family and children. We need to create the right ambience in our homes. Let us lend a non-judgmental ear to our children so that they shed the fear of consequences and speak their mind.

Its never too late, provided we begin today.


The article was carried in The Light of Andamans, Vol 35, Issue 04, Dated 22nd July 2011

Comments

Dr. Vincent Barla said…
Even though I left Andamans 26 years ago for a better job, I keep a track on the news of Andamans because it is not only my birth place but my hometown too. Whenever, I go Andamans, I find a lot of changes. Recently there was a case of CBSE question paper leak, and now rape and brothel. Tourism is good for economy of Andamans but it brings many ills too. Corruption is too flourishing there. Every one of us to be cautious.
July 15, 2011 at 12:27 PM
Mathews said…
'Low principles and selfish motives
When shake hands and mate silently
Corruption is born as their illegitimate child.'
Education can only cleanse this evil from our society. But the pity is that Education in Andaman is hobbling with wine, women and wealth. In a backbone less society with leaders who are opportunists who will be a beacon to the young brigade? worse times are yet to come, just wait and watch.
-Mrs. Mathew
July 17, 2011 at 11:32 AM
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