Who’s watching teenagers?
It was saddening to read that more than seven deaths have been due to the ‘Blue Whale Challenge’ (“Blue whale challenge causes alarm in India”, Gulf News, August 17). Two teenagers have already committed suicide in Kerala, India. In Russia, more than 130 teenagers committed suicide after being exposed to this game. Nowadays, children are seeing so much violence, drugs, sex and even body shaming through social media. This would definitely influence their behaviour, and if not monitored, would lead to depression, self-image issues and violence. The creator of this game appears to be a person with psychological problems. Life is beautiful and precious. Nobody should fall prey to these so-called traps or cults that lead to disaster. Children should be monitored. They are often vulnerable and can easily get influenced by such games. Government agencies should take legal action to save innocent lives.
From Mr Eappen Elias
Dubai
The suicide game
Isn’t it weird that a game can be so dangerous? I believe the ‘Blue Whale Challenge’ is one of the main reasons why suicide rate among teenagers is increasing globally. The game consists of various tasks assigned to players during a 50-day period, with the final challenge requiring the player to commit suicide. It affects a child psychologically, as every task is risky. The moderator probably hacks into your accounts and could blackmail you in various ways and so, teens don’t share it with adults. Every person deserves to live. Committing suicide is never justified. We need to create awareness among our younger siblings, cousins, friends and children.
From Ms Prerna Chandiramani
Dubai
Stop political corruption
I have been watching India’s politics for five decades (“Inquiry ordered into Jayalalitha’s death, merger chances brighten”, Gulf News, August 17). My observation is that whoever comes to power does not serve the people, despite the promises they make before the elections. The recent developments in Indian politics are not healthy. Tamil Nadu is facing tough times. After the demise of the late Chief Minister Jayaram Jayalalitha, the party has divided into three factions and everyone is claiming their eligibility to rule. Their party symbol is also under threat from the election commission. To get their famous two leaf symbol back, the factions have to merge together and prove they are one. Today, corruption and nepotism are more visible in Indian politics. People should think and choose good governance with a full majority. By adopting this method, political parties and their numbers game will be eradicated, and clean administration will replace it. Will the people select an honourable party for the sake of development and prosperity?
From Mr K. Ragavan
India
Lessons from history
Never try to please everybody. Previous establishments in India did it and paid for it heavily. The people of India, especially the middle and lower income groups, understood the ploy of previous establishments, their appeasement and deceptive policies, and consequently, these establishments paid a price. As a result, the people of India will never repeat these mistakes and will not empower the power-hungry. Corrupt practices are liable to be weeded out by the law. Benevolent, selfless and kind leaders, with compassion for their people, go down as great names in history. Chanakya, the great Indian teacher, philosopher and economist, said that a king should never think of his personal interests or welfare, but should try to find his joy in the joy of his subjects. An ideal king is one who has the highest qualities of leadership, intellect, energy and personal attributes, and his mission should be to strive for the welfare of his people.
From Dr Shiben Krishen Raina
Rajasthan, India
Best of both worlds
Education can help you through a number of things, however, work experience allows you to reveal things about yourself that education cannot (“Should work experience be mandatory?”, Gulf News, August 20). For example, it can help you determine your strengths and weaknesses. By the end of the experience, you will be able to decipher whether you are a good communicator and if you work well in a team. Parents, teachers and even students may feel that work experience could interfere with school and is a waste of time. But, it could lead to an improvement in grades. By making work experience a compulsory part of school education, I believe it will benefit today’s youth in ways that textbooks cannot. It will teach students crucial skills, which they will use for the rest of their lives. This experience will transform our generation into a much more independent, hardworking, mature and responsible one.
From Ms Megna Rajagopal
Dubai
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