By: Barnali Bose ( Sr. Associate Editor,ICN-Group)
KOLKATA: That day, I had gone for a stroll along a deserted street, there being no park closeby. After walking for a while I decided to give my tired feet some rest. Spotting a bench on the way,I sat down.Suddenly I heard voices emanating from one of the buildings behind me.
I turned to look and saw two obscure figures on the balcony of a high rise. A lady was sternly telling a young boy, “How many times have I told you that in today’s world you cannot afford to lose?There is no place in this world for losers. I do not want to be known as a loser’s mother.”
The young boy pleaded, “ Ma,please don’t say that ma …I’ll make it next time ma, I promise I will…” She retorted ,”No, there will be no next time …it’s now or never.”
I was tempted to scream,“Stop,lady stop! ” , but I restrained myself.
A stranger had no business to interfere in a mother- son verbal duel and to them,I was obviously one.As I walked away with a heavy heart, I could hear the muffled sobs gradually die down.
Next morning the BREAKING NEWS on TV was…….” A FIFTEEN YEAR OLD BOY TRIES TO KILL HIMSELF FOR NOT BEING SELECTED IN THE BASKETBALL TEAM. MOTHER IN A STATE OF SHOCK !” The suicide note said ,”AS YOU SAID, IT IS NOW OR NEVER,SO LET IT BE….. SORRY MA.”
The details left no doubt in my mind that I had been a witness to the circumstances that had instigated the attempt at self annihilation. I began to wonder whether I could have in any way reverted the situation. However,I thanked my stars that I wouldn’t have to live the rest of my life thinking,if only I had intervened.
Today many over ambitious parents quite often, unknowingly pressurise their children to earn accolades for two reasons.Firstly, it is to gratify their own unfulfilled desires through their children and secondly to be able to flaunt their children’s achievements in society.
In the process, they unknowingly subject their children to relentless mental pressure. Sometimes these children attempt to end their lives, fearing their inability to succeed will earn the sarcastic wrath of their parents.
Now board exams are going on. I, as an invigilator, observe their stressed facial expressions and try to analyse whether it is the normal stress of an examinee or much more than that.
What I can only do for them is give each one of them a reassuring smile,a smile that says, “ Relax,child.All will be well.”
The same message I would like to give parents. “ Relax parents,relax. All will be well.”
