by B. R. GOWANI
there was a time when children never got bored
and derived great pleasure from simple toys and games
such as kho-kho, hide & seek, kabaddi, langdi, and others
playing cards, carrom, ludo, chaupat or chopat, …
(the game of chopat, usually played at night, may last for hours,
sometimes continues for another night or two)
some objects for play were created on the spot
as gilli-danda, played with two sticks, a long and a short one
those were also times when children could play on streets and in alleys
one still sees some children indulging in such games, but it’s rare
things have changed drastically, dramatically, and dangerously
unplanned crowded places have left little room for outdoor playing
also …
guns, bombs, and weapons have instilled fear in parents
technological gadgets have distanced children from simple activities
parents and children have become ardent viewers:
always busy with smart phones, computers, etc
then there is social media — that keeps people hooked to the medium
all these are huge industries generating humongous profits
they’ve changed children’s culture, habits, and thinking
just one example:
I came across a person of modest means who had bought a luxury SUV
upon inquiry, said he bought that car because his daughter insisted on it
how did the 3-year-old child came to know about this luxury brand?
simple:
one invited child at her birthday had a toy-car of that brand
the father now regrets his expensive decision …
B. R. Gowani can be reached at brgowani@hotmail.com