Nursing the dream of Utopia....

Nursing Journal of India, Sep 2003 by Chakravarty, Sujana

Article 45 of the Indian Constitution enjoins that Education is the birth right of every child born in India.

As we gear up to celebrate another World Literacy Day on 8th September, as conscientious Indian citizens we are duty bound to see that one and all have access to this birth right. The World Literacy Decade under the theme 'Literacy as Freedom' is launched on 13th February 2003 that targets to educate especially the women and the girl children to set them free from the tangle of ignorance. In the present world 'Ignorance' is no! 'bliss' but a curse that deprives one from the 'manna of life.

On 5th September, we duly acknowledge the contributions made by teachers towards society as Teacher's Day is celebrated to mark the birth anniversary of the greatest educationist of post-independent India, Dr. S. Rdhakrishnan. In the light of the recent hair raising tales of child abuse by teachers at schools, the role of teachers has to be reassessed. A teacher is not only the disseminator of knowledge but also a friend, philosopher and guide and a role model for the students. Incidence of sexual and physical abuse reflects the alarmingly sorry state of educational affairs and razor sharp decline of moral values and ethics so deeply rooted in traditional Indian system of education. These incidences are bound to create a deep impact in the minds of the young children leading to disturbed mental behaviour and often leave them scarred for life. As nurses, our duty is not restricted to delivery of health care alone, we are capable of mobilizing public opinion for restoration of moral values in education and create awareness amongst parents and family members through guidance and counselling against any injustice.

A month later, 10th October is World Mental Day; the theme-'Emotional and Behavioural Disorders of Children & Adolescents' will focus worldwide attention on the identification, treatment and prevention of emotional and behavioural disorders in children and adolescents. Here again, none but we nurses have a more conscientious role to play, to enable young children cope with trauma and anxiety and lead a hale and hearty life. Our dream is to build the Utopia where every one is disease free, educated, happy and content.

SChakravarty