“In the bathroom, a girl is talking on a mobile phone.” My college has a strict ban on bringing mobile phones, so as soon as a few students informed me, I rushed to the scene.
A simple, innocent-looking girl emerged from the bathroom, drying her hands with a towel.
“Hand over the mobile,” I had no doubt about it. She had seen me coming out of the bathroom with her phone.
“I don’t have it, ma’am. I don’t have a mobile,” innocence was written all over her face. She averted her gaze and immediately reached into the college monogrammed bag.
“What’s this?” Just moments later, a packet of chips was in my hand, with something moving inside.
“I haven’t used it,” she tried to snatch the mobile phone hidden in the packet of chips from my hand.
“Firstly, bringing a mobile phone to college is not allowed, and then…” Before I could finish my sentence, she said, “Ma’am! What if I keep it in my bag? It won’t get stolen, right?”
“Bring it to the principal tomorrow; they are in a meeting today,” I said, trying to take the next step, but she refused to budge. “Please… give me my mobile,” she pleaded. She was being aggressive and ignorant.
Before she could attack me, a senior professor intervened, but she was not among those who calm down easily. Even when the college closed, and she was left sobbing, her mobile phone remained in its concealed spot. When we checked her phone for any unread messages, it became clear that trouble was brewing on the other side too. A boy was desperately waiting for her reply.
The next day, neither the girl nor anyone else came to collect the mobile phone, but someone from her family did come to take it. We read countless text messages on her phone, all filled with praises and complaints about her parents, teachers, and the college. Usually, I tell parents to keep a watchful eye on their children and encourage them to have an open mind. Often, when we meet again, the daughter has run away with someone, and by then, water has risen above their heads, and their hopes have vanished.
I am a lecturer in a government college. In my short three-year tenure, this incident is not the first but rather a routine occurrence. I am not saying that during my time, the environment was completely pure, and all the students’ behavior was exemplary. However, the trend of students hiding in corners of the college to engage in phone conversations during class is on the rise day by day.
In my time, there was a girl from one of the four sections of the college involved in inappropriate activities, but now, such incidents occur in every class, every section, every fifteen to twenty days.
I bear the responsibility of guiding the media, but not just the mobile phone. I place the blame for this deteriorating situation on the parents.
These students, mostly from the lower-middle class, are shouting, crying, and struggling because they have not had a proper meal for many days, and they face financial difficulties in paying their fees. But they have a mobile phone set. Where did this set come from? If the father’s balance is gone, where is the money coming from? Where did these new-named friends come from? Why is the mobile phone always on silent mode?
Why don’t the mothers ask these questions in their minds?
This is not just about college girls; it applies to all young generations. Boys and girls, all are victims of this trend. You visit the counseling center; there are even younger school children there. After the end of the girls’ class, the boys are studying SMS. “I am coming.”
The two-hour cooking class usually lasts four hours, and I am reassured by the students’ comments.
Certainly, most of it is true, but mothers should verify it themselves. Their daughters are getting precious gifts. Why aren’t these questions asked? If the girl uses an unfamiliar name, why isn’t she questioned?
Why don’t I think that a daughter’s new friend, whose name has been heard for eight days, why would she give such valuable gifts?
Why does she suddenly start liking makeup after leaving home? Mothers don’t seem to care. They are too busy in the neighborhood’s gossip, and they don’t realize it until the matter escalates.
My plea to mothers is to pay attention to their daughters. These are delicate buds, and if you nurture them well, they will be the beauty of your garden; otherwise, thorns will remain.
I easily infiltrate the girls’ group. I don’t ask who this new friend is. If the girl mentions an unknown name, why isn’t an inquiry made? Why isn’t it questioned why she goes out after dusk?
“Why are you going out so late?” Mothers don’t seem to care. They are too engrossed in neighborhood chatter, and they don’t realize it until the issue escalates.
My plea to mothers is to pay attention to their daughters. These are delicate buds, and if you nurture them well, they will be the beauty of your garden; otherwise, thorns will remain.