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Rave parties: Wake-up call for parents

The editorial ‘Venomous high’ (Feb 16) should be a wake-up call for those parents belonging to the rich and elite sections of society whose wards engage in nefarious activities.

In India, little attempt has been made to successfully conduct analysis on rave parties and the nitty-gritty involved. It has been seen that it is primarily the rich and the nouveau riche middle class that is taking to this mode of partying.

The common assumption that such a culture is restricted to urban areas is highly flawed since there has been a growing trend of raves in small cities and towns over the last few years. 

Teenagers have an allusion of enjoyment. They use drugs to enhance energy, endurance, confidence, sociability and sexual arousal, little realising that they are falling deeper and deeper into the abyss of drinks, drugs and sex. 

They are ignorant about the stark reality that each of these drugs has different psychological and physiological consequences due to its inherent properties. Their effects range from relatively minor disorders like hypertension, agitation, anxiety, nausea, confusion to major problems like coma with abrupt awakening and violence, schizophrenic symptoms, liver toxicity, catatonia and even death.

Instances of rape, drug abuse, drug peddling, drunken driving leading to accidental deaths is growing with each passing year due to such parties.

Cases of rape and sexual molestation go unreported due to the victim’s inability to remember details and the subsequent lack of proof if the victim is intoxicated too. The business of drug peddling especially by foreigners is flourishing.

Drug users remain firmly fixated on the present and do not bother about the future. They don’t pause to think of the cost of the act that causes them ‘happiness and grandiosity’, of the anxiety their loved ones would feel, and the problems that an accidental overdose could result in. There is no moral judgment involved in the ethos of partying or enjoying life the way one wants to. It is always wise to be aware of what one is signing up for and not be ultimately caught up in an inextricable mesh.

DILBAG RAI, Chandigarh

Phagwara

One-upmanship

India has accepted, without any reservations, the suzerainty of China over Tibet. It has now reiterated its stand ‘Tibet part of China, reiterates India’ (Feb 9). India is reported to have reassured China that it considered Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) as part of China. China should reciprocate this gesture of good neighbourly relationship by declaring unequivocally J&K as an integral part of India.

G R KALRA, Chandigarh

II

India’s latest stand on Tibet seems controversial. In the recent past, China has been increasingly indulging in grave provocative antics. Its activity in Pakistan, especially in Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) has been objectionable. Periodic border incursions can be ignored at national peril only. Under the circumstances, India may talk of peace vis-a vis China but must keep its powder dry to meet any eventuality.

TARA CHAND, Ambota (Una)

Sidelining disability

The news report ‘A visually impaired boy from Haryana finally gets into IAS’ (February 16) is an eye opener and an inspiring example for people who have vision. Hats off to Ajay Kumar. It saddens us to know the predicament of people with certain infirmities which aggravate more due to the callous attitude of government authorities. Candidates like him should be honoured and not forced to run from pillar to post for securing the posts they have qualified for.

These persons should be given their genuine share of posts as allotted under reservation rules. They see and perceive much more with their senses than a normal person. Many lessons need to be learnt from him like ‘never give up’ and ‘never get disappointed’ in adverse conditions. A poet once said: A stiff upper lip, and a bull-dog grip; and a firm resolute to win, shall make you as high as your thoughts fly.

BALAK RAM DHIMAN, Hamirpur

Wrong policies

The policies adopted by the Haryana government in government schools are hampering quality education. Good policies are made only on paper and they have never been implemented in the right earnest. There is no transfer policy for teachers in Haryana. Some teachers having political clout remain at their choice stations in cities for a long time. They never get posted in rural areas. Posts of teachers in schools remain vacant for a long time. Newly upgraded schools get no teachers for about two years.

KARAN SINGH BAWWA, Rewari

Girls as goddesses In Himachal Pradesh, there are some districts where gender ratio has declined but at the same time there are many districts which recognise the true worth of a girl child. For example, in Lahaul-Spiti the gender ratio of girls is 1,017 to 1000 boys, which is worth mentioning and needs to be applauded. Programmes like ‘Beti anmol hai’, free education up to the highest level and free books and uniforms for girls are also in practice in the state. Though it is a small state and people are known for their simple living, in matters relating to the girl child it has high thinking. It is far ahead of many states in protecting and promoting the interests of its daughters. ANJALI SHARMA, Dagshai Cantt