Positive change in society possible by concludes effort of school and media — General opinion of well-known mediamen from India and abroad

City Montessori School organized a day long ‘International Media Conference’ on the theme ‘Rapidly Increasing Violence In and Against Children’ at CMS Kanpur Road auditorium today. Well-known journalists, media heads and other acknowledged experts in various fields presented excellently meaningful opinion to create awareness in the society with the appeal that family, school and media need to understand their responsibility to build a better world with bright future for the younger generation. Senior journalists expressed deep concern over increasing violence among and against children and opined that media will have to inspire people for understanding their responsibility about this burning question as to why criminal acts are becoming  rampant for these future citizens and family, school and society will also have to develop values and good character in children as it is their social bondage. Several eminent figures of Lucknow also attended this significant conference at the CMS Kanpur Road auditorium and illumined themselves with these thoughts. Earlier, the Chief Guest, Justice N K Mehrotra, Lokayukta, UP, prominent names in media and others came from India and abroad lit the lamp of knowledge collectively to open this ‘International Media Conference’ collectively.

Prof. Geeta Gandhi Kingdon, President, CMS, said that blame game will not bring any result rather we must put our best foot forward to act fruitfully. CMS organized this media conference with such concepts to act accordingly. She hoped that the meaningful concepts that these experts and intelligentsia present will undoubtedly be helpful for the society.

In this opening speech Justice N K Mehrotra, Lokayukta, UP said that the minds of children happen to be very fertile and they grasp the happenings of their surrounding very fast. They closely watch the activities of their parents, teachers and media revelations and adopt them without consideration for right or wrong. Therefore, these institutions play vital role in their mental development when children get uncongenial atmosphere at home, school and society and then see violent films or TV serials. It casts bad effects on their mind and heart which subsequently gives rise to juvenile crime, delinquency etc. and other social evils. Justice Mehrotra drew the attention of world community on criminality in and against children through this International Media Conference and also commended CMS for such effort. He said that his global problem has to be taken seriously otherwise the social fabric will be fragmented.

Senior Journalist Mr Ambika Nand Sahay, Director, News, Azad News, New Delhi said that we must watch our acts that what kind of India we are making? We, especially electronic and print media must think that the things we are serving to children in nice platter will affect children adversely. Mr Anurag Batra, CEO & Editor-in-Chief, Exchange4Media, New Delhi said that media has social purpose also that the social development should move smoothly. TV, Internet, Films, Video games etc. cast great impacts on children, he said. Whatever they see or listen through these mediums, they adopt. The media must present programmes for children which are meant for that particular age-group and which do not snatch away their childhood from them. Mr Ajay Jha, Gulf News, Bureau Chief New Delhi said that violence can manifest itself in children in various ways. Sometimes a teacher may scold a child just because he or she may not be in the right mood. Therefore, whether it is the family or the school or the media or society, all the factors that influence a child’s psyche must be in harmony and peace for the welfare and all round development of the child. Similarly, Mr Joginder Singh, IPS, former Director, CBI opined that teachers must become role models for children because the child imitates the teacher. He  said that, to prevent criminal tendencies in children, the government must also take measures to avoid showing those programmes on the television which have a negative impact on the child’s psyche. Dr Sameer Parikh from Max Super Speciality Hospital, New Delhi said that the best thing is to accept the reality and face the truth. In 1950, Social Science research proved that violence is picked up and learnt. When children see violent acts around them, they feel that it is the right thing to do and this feeling stays with them. On the other hand, encouraging children and praising them for their small achievements has a positive impact upon the children. Renowned film actor Mr Rajit Kapoor said that the truth is that we never accept our mistakes. We never ponder upon the kind of behaviour we must show towards our children and so we make no efforts for self-improvements. The big question is - Are we training our children to become only engineers and doctors or are we also trying to make them good human beings? First, we must make our children good human beings, only then can we raise the moral standards of society. In the same way, Mr Daya Shankar Singh, Resident Editor, Rashtriya Sahara, Lucknow; Senior Journalists, Mr K. Vikarm Rao, President, Indian Federation of Working Journalists, Ms Anamika Srivastava, Programme Executive, Akashwani; Father Denis Naresh Lobo, Principal, St. Francis College, Lucknow; Mr Rakeshwar Singh, Principal, Colvin Taluqedars’ College; Hon’ble Mr Justice Adel Omar Sherif, Deputy Chief Justice, Supreme Constitutional Court of Egypt; Mr Mohamed Hassan El-Bana, Editing Manager, Al Akhbar Daily Newspaper, Egypt; Mr Nasri Marco, Ph.D., President & Founder, Sharm El Sheikh International Arbitration Centre, Egypt; Prof. Dr Mohammad El-Shahat El-Gendy, Secretary General of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs and Member of Islamic Research Academy of Al-Azhar, Cairo, Egypt were also expressed their views. CMS Founder-Director and renowned educationist Dr (Mrs) Bharti Gandhi expressed her profound gratitude towards the top journalists and scholars participating in the conference. She was hopeful that this conference will go a long way in bringing the media close to the school and giving a new direction to society.

In the afternoon session, the CMS Founder-Manager and renowned educationist Dr Jagdish Gandhi addressed a press conference of the ‘International media Conference’ in which he elaborated upon the day’s proceedings and the views presented by the learned speakers. He said that all the media experts were of the unanimous view that society can experience a radical and positive change only when the media and the school join hands to work for the welfare of children in general and humanity as a whole. Dr Gandhi said that the discussions were fruitful and the scholars of India and abroad said with conviction that media can effectively raise public awareness regarding the problem of violence in and against children and find ways and means to solve this issue.

Chief Public Relations Officer of CMS, Mr Hari Om Sharma said that CMS is committed to working for human welfare and the successful participation of top journalists, writers, reporters, scholars, in this conference proves its immense popularity. He further stated the gatheirng of learned scholars and media personnel to lay the foundation for a healthy, peaceful and prosperous society for the future generation is indeed a revolutionary step and will lead to a much better and united world.

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