Schoolchildren must be taught moral values

by Ananda KANNANGARA

Education Minister Bandula Gunawardane called upon school teachers to educate children on the value of morals.

He said children should be educated on this important subject in addition to their general studies, as stipulated by the government on a directive of President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

Addressing a school function at a girls' school in Kurunegala recently, Minister Gunawardane said many children in the present day society lack morals and asked teachers and parents to educate them on the importance of good morals from their young age.

He said if a person lacks moral values, he or she will easily get involved in unnecessary activities and thereafter be cornered by others. Lack of moral values will greatly affect his/her future well-being.

The minister recalled how during his younger days they were not educated on the importance of moral values by anyone special as they learned it at home and through experience by indulging in various social activities.

"Today some children do not know how to behave in front of parents, teachers or elders due to lack of moral values and principles", he said.He urged parents and teachers to encourage children to get involved in religious and social activities which will automatically help to improve their moral values.

He said a child cannot be motivated only by sending him/her to an affluent school or spending lavishly on educational activities. Parents must also closely monitor his behaviour, he said."Children with good moral values know how to behave in society, how to talk with others without hurting their feelings and also how to treat parents as well as others," he said.

Minister Gunawardane finally called upon all children in the country to get involved in social activities, while engaging in their normal educational activities.

Festival of lights:

Celebrate in harmony

Deepavali or the festival of lights will be celebrated by Hindus all over the world on October 26, Deepavali symbolises the shedding of light and the retreat of darkness. It stands for the triumphant entry of the resplendent light of peace, unity and understanding among men and the dramatic defeat of evil. It also signifies the emergence of the soul from the darkness of Avidya to the light of Vidya or awakening. In other worlds, the awakening of knowledge in an ignorant man indicates light being brought with the lives of silently suffering people immersed in utter misery and gloom.

In fact, Deepavali festival is celebrated with row of lights in the Hindu household. According to the Hindu calendar, in October and November (Karthikai) bright and beautiful lamps and candles are lit in Hindu homes like a garland of lamps offered in dedication to deities. This shows the annihilation of the sorrow of the people who are overpowered by the forces of darkness and later inspired with the hopes and aspirations for better times ahead.

Certain people believe that Deeavali is associated with the popular legend of Lord Krishna's victory over Narakasura who by the practice of austerity had gained strength to drive the Gods out of the celestial kingdom, but Lord Krishna with his power killed him and saved mankind.

Among some Hindus there is a belief that the festival marks the day of rejoicing when Lord Skanda triumphed over the evil regime of Surapadman. Some even say that on Deepavali day Sri Rama's grand coronation took place after his long exile in the Jungle. "Love and peace" are the central theme of Deeavali. Peace is a by-product of love. Hatred will never cease by hatred, but will cease only by love alone."

We have the brilliant light of the sun and the mellow light of the moon and stars, but in everybody's heart and mind a different light burns, the light of knowledge and warmth of love and compassion which will strengthen ourselves for sacrifice and service and gradually dispel the gloom of poverty, ignorance and egoistic arrogance.

As such, let our light of knowledge and wisdom shine far and wide scattering the soft but brilliant beams to bring peace, wisdom and the splendour of light.

Indeed Deepavali festival reminds us that "Wherever there is Dharma, peace, justice and fairplay, there victory shall be".

We wish all our Hindu readers a happy and peaceful Deepavali!

- C.M.

Marshall Islands establishes world's largest shark sanctuary

The Republic of the Marshall Islands has established the world's largest shark sanctuary. The Nitijela, the Marshallese parliament, unanimously passed legislation in early October that ends commercial fishing of sharks in all 768,547 square miles (nearly two million square kilometres) of the Pacific island nation's waters.

The law bans the sale, trade and possession of sharks, shark fins, or any other shark parts.

The International Union for the Conservation of Nature's Red List of Threatened Species shows that 30 per cent of the world's shark and ray species are threatened or near-threatened with extinction.

Some species, such as the white tip shark and the scalloped hammerhead shark, have lost more than 98 per cent of their numbers to industrial fishing over the past 60 years.

Up to 73 million sharks are killed annually to support the global shark fin trade, according to the Pew Environment Group, which is fostering efforts to establish shark sanctuaries, where targeted fishing for these species is prohibited.

The worldwide demand for shark fins, meat, liver oil, and other products has driven numerous shark populations to the brink of extinction. the Pew Environment Group, which is spearheading efforts to establish shark sanctuaries, where targeted fishing for these species is prohibited.

The new Marshall Islands' law imposes a complete prohibition on the commercial fishing of all species of sharks as well as the sale of any sharks or shark products. Under the law, any shark caught accidentally by fishing vessels must be released.

"The Marshall Islands has joined Palau, the Maldives, Honduras, the Bahamas and Tokelau in delivering the gold standard of protection for ensuring shark survival," Rand said. "We look forward to helping other countries enlist in this cause."

Courtesy: Science Daily