Our moral decline

Our societal fabric is fraying at the edges. A recent incident in Gandhinagar, Jammu, has shaken every conscientious heart. A viral video captured a young man not only hitting an elderly man with his car, but the young man in a chilling display of arrogance, reversed his car to strike him again. More shocking than the sheer brutality was the palpable absence of remorse.

This was not an attack on a single person, it was a war against the very foundations of human values - respect, empathy, and compassion.

This unfortunate incident represents a moment of profound emotional loss for every mother, aspiring to raise a compassionate human being, and for every teacher, tirelessly striving to instill values in their students. The piercing question that echo in every heart is, “Where are we faltering?”

Has the moral compass been lost? Who bears the responsibility?

Parents: The first school of humanity—children are not inherently disrespectful. I vouch no parent would live to see that. Everything is learned through observation, and home is the first ground where the initial seeds of empathy and respect are sown unconsciously. Today, parents ensure their children have access to the best educational resources. Without caring about their financial conditions, they make sure that their children have packed lunchboxes, proper school footwear, and ambitious academic goals for which they go out of their way. But the question remains, are we also packing kindness, humility, and gratitude into their school bags? Every parent needs to ask this question before giving all the facilities to their children.

Even after doing everything to secure the future of our children, we make small arguments which last forever in their children’s minds. From witnessing their parents raising their voices at elders, mocking service staff, violating traffic rules, or exhibiting arrogance during disagreements, these are the true life lessons your children internalize. We cannot expect a child to respect teachers, elders, or indeed fellow human beings in society if the bedrock of respect at home is weak.

Teachers: Beyond the syllabus, building character—educators today are struggling with huge pressure to complete syllabi, conduct assessments, and meet tight academic deadlines.

Yet, education remains partial if it fails to prepare good humans. The Gandhinagar incident questions every educator, “Are our efforts to instill values being overshadowed by the relentless academic race and societal neglect?”

Furthermore, the rising trend of challenging teachers’ authority and disregarding their role is alarming. If children are not taught to respect their teachers within the school environment, how can we possibly expect them to extend that respect into the broader society?

Students: Deluded in the web of digital egoism, the current generation is characterised by boldness, expressiveness, and ambition. However, are they genuinely learning to be good human beings? Social media, regrettably, often glorifies arrogance, rebellious attitudes, and aggression, creating a misleading impression that rudeness equates to confidence. The young man in the Gandhinagar incident is a product of this distorted worldview, where ego eclipses empathy, and pride suffocates humanity.

However, this is not entirely their fault. Have we adequately guided them in emotional intelligence and self-awareness? Have we ever taken the time to impart the fundamental lesson that true strength is found not in aggression, but in humility and respect?

Schools must spearhead the transformation by prioritizing behavior over academics.

Educational institutions must take a bold, reformative stance by directly linking a student’s behavior to their academic assessments. Marks should be judiciously deducted for behavioral misconduct. This is not about punitive measures, but rather a clear societal message, “Your academic achievements hold little value if you lack fundamental human values.” Schools should implement a “Daily Greeting Observation” system, meticulously monitoring each child’s morning interactions with teachers and staff.

Let’s focus on...

A warm “Good Morning, Ma’am/Sir” transcends mere formality; it is a profound reflection of a child’s upbringing.

Children who consistently fail to exhibit basic manners should be gently corrected and provided with guidance.

It’s time we stop blaming social media, schools, or “today’s generation” and look within.

Are we — parents, teachers, schools, and society — collectively doing enough to raise humans who know how to respect life, irrespective of age, status, or situation?

Let’s not wait for more viral videos of such disgrace. Let’s act, correct, rebuild the culture of respect, before it’s too late.

Ms Poonam Sharma, Educator and a Parenting Advocate