Shastri Boodan
The breakdown of family life has led to moral decay and unprecedented levels of crime and violence, this point was underscored by Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar when she delivered the feature address at Divali Nagar celebrations on Saturday night.
She said parents must confront the challenges created by the environment in which their children live. Citing an example, she said digital technology has considerably reduced the time parents spend with children, thus giving parents less time to impart values.
Persad-Bissessar added, “The temptation of drug abuse coupled with peer pressure and bullying requires us to be vigilant and present in the lives of our children. As parents and guardians we must all make a conscious effort to be more involved in our children’s lives. Today the world is a cruel and harsh place and therefore the family must be our children’s safe space and haven.”
Persad-Bissessar said homes must become centres for learning and areas where moral and spiritual values can be nurtured. “Places where we can comfortably express ourselves, our thoughts and our feelings to all of us. The most important things in our lives are our children and their welfare,” she further stated.
The UNC leader said daily more and more children are becoming victims of heinous crimes. She said, “The breakdown in society has seen bloodshed becoming more and more pervasive in circumstances surrounding the home. However, we must find the courage and determination to pick up the pieces and awake from the slumber which seems to have befallen our nation on critical issues affecting the most valuable in our society.”
She also paid tribute to Deokienanan Sharma, the former head of the National Council for Indian Culture, who died in August. She said Sharma committed decades while working towards the upliftment of the cultural and social tapestry of T&T.