It is time to reset our moral compass

It is a sad but undeniable fact that we live at a time when morals are lax, values nonexistent and there is absolutely no fear of retribution or punishment for the most unspeakable crimes even against women, children or the rest of humanity.

Respect for human life and regard for human pain, compassion, sensitivity, empathy and the will and desire to live life nobly, ethically and honourably are qualities and virtues that are disappearing and hard to find. What kind of human beings are we becoming?

Selfishness and going after one’s goals with undivided focus is all very well but at what cost and what price? The state of the world with constant strife, hatred and violence is leaving children confused as to what they should do and how they should react when they are at the wrong end of the stick.

The need of the hour is for moral science to be brought back into the curriculum. Value education has been around but probably merely in theory and less in practice.

People don’t have to look beyond their own scriptures , the stories ,messages and truths that are embedded in them  for guidance and direction .The irony is that a significant part of  a whole generation or two has grown up without any exposure to many of these gems – either  by listening to them or reading simplified versions or engaging in a deep dive and getting to the very core of it all .Therefore there is little knowledge about what is ordained and what is not , to even understand where they are going astray .

One shudders to think of what will happen to the society and the world if we continue at this rate. Most people in positions of power and authority are not helping   by setting a shining example, being above board, (remember Manu Needhi Chozhan a king who did not hesitate to punish his son who had run over a calf) and inspiring today’s gen about the need to do what is right even if it meant giving up much of what they had built up in order to take a principled stand.

Perhaps a good starting point in a small way is in the home - by being role models and beacon lights of inspiration for ethical and noble conduct, seeking, sharing and finding answers to questions that may be posed and providing convincing explanations. Simply put, it is time to reset our moral compass.