A burning issue in Bangladesh right now is the death of Adnan Kabir in Uttara, Dhaka, who belonged to a youth gangster group and got killed by his rivals. This incident sparked many questions and revealed a number of horrifying incidents and activities happened and are happening not only in Dhaka city but also across the country.
Teenagers who are supposed to be busy with their books are getting involved in different gangs and committing crimes and this has really jerked the country and what usually happens here, all our experts from different sectors of the society have started giving their opinions on this issue from different angles. But in near future, something more dangerous and harmful may pop up in national life, then this issue will be behind the curtain and we will gradually forget it.
I am not an expert on this issue but as a guardian and educationist, I would like to share my views and feeling. First of all, to me one of the root causes responsible for recent situations with youngsters is the irresponsible act done by the family guardian as well as local area’s guardians. Both of these two groups failed to effectively communicate with these children or youngsters in time, monitor them and create healthy environment for them. Now, we the countrymen are facing the consequences. Let me share a piece of story from my own experience occurred in my native village in Tangail district. Around two years back, one of this kind of gangster member misbehaved with me and threatened me. The reason behind was, he along with his gang who are backed by his rotten father, a former UP member, was trying to erect some shops encroaching government properties. I protested it and foiled their plan. So, they got angry with me and threatened me. However, I gave him a good lesson later.
Now, this gangster scenario does not only exist in Dhaka but also every village of Bangladesh where 5 to 10 teenagers get together and form a gang to be stronger and commit all types of crimes, be it eve teasing, drug peddling, illegal encroaching and what not. Now, the other side of the story is, there are at least 100 guardians available in that very village who can easily size up these rotten boys and bring them back to normal life and there lies the importance of family guardianship and local guardianship. What they have to do is not a daunting task; like these boys, they will also be united and sit with these 5-10 off track boys, counsel them as guardian to return to normal life and devote to study. This is the first dose. Then, they will monitor them for a month or two. If it works it’s fine; if it doesn’t, they will again call on them and this time they will give them a bit of their mind and a deadline. Again, if it works, mission is accomplished; if it doesn’t, as a last but not the least solution, the respective guardians will punish their sons in front of the other local guardians. This is being done for the benefits of the boys as well as for the sake of the peace of the society and locality. So, nobody will be against it; rather people from all walks of life will very heartily stand beside these guardians. And this time, chances are 100%, they will accomplish the goal.
How does this idea sound? Something impossible? Not at all! We, the guardians have to be united and do it for the sake of our own children and a peaceful society. If we try to scapegoat this responsibility thinking that ‘my son is not involved in it, so let’s not be involved in this challenge’; those days are not so far when the entire society will be damaged and you along with other family members will have no exit. This is one of our responsibilities shouldered upon us as guardians to do for our children and we simply cannot say ‘no’ to this responsibility. So, this is high time we got united and raised our voice against this.
Let’s not forget the number of good people which is still 98% in our society. So, 2% rotten people can never out beat 98% good people.
The writer is a Communication Trainer & Journalist
http://daily-sun.com/post/207332/Who-Is-Responsible-%E2%80%93Youngsters-or-Us
