It is not just veteran film-maker Adoor Gopalakrishnan who finds fault with the crassness of TV soaps that dominate the evenings of most households in Kerala. A bunch of parents from a Government higher secondary school in Aleppey district of the state have decided to say 'NO' to the serials as they feel they are corrupting the home environment.
A set of parents from Kalavoor Government HS on Thursday decided not to switch on the telly from 6 pm to 10 pm -- the prime time slot for serials on TV -- at their homes. A decision in this regard was taken after a meeting held at the school.
"A good number of parents and the teachers of our school decided that they will not switch on the TV in the evenings as it affected the home environment and the future of the children. We feel that it is the need of the hour,'' Vijayakumari, the head mistress of the school told THE WEEK.
Most students in the school hail from economically poor backgrounds. The school had bagged 98 % in latest SSLC exams and is in pursuit of making it a 100 per cent success.
According to her, a decision in this regard was taken as it was observed that students were getting distracted from studies. Also, there have been many aberrations in their character due to the negative influence of the TV, she said. "Many students also come and complain to them about the serial addiction of their parents."
"We had convened the PTA to discuss ways to improve the academic performance of the students. It was generally agreed upon that the TV had a very negative influence on the kids. Though we decided to switch off the TV primarily to improve the academic performance, we know the results will go beyond academics," said Sudha K, the class teacher of class 10.
She feels that most parents, especially mothers, are addicted to TV serials and they are passing it on to the kids. "There is no family time in homes these days as every one is huddled around television sets. The evening routine is planned in accordance with the timings of the serials. This is really affecting the children,'' she said.
According to her, many mothers cried out of guilt when the matter was pointed out to them in the recent Mother's Day meeting. "Most mothers realize that TV, especially those serials which are high on violence and family intrigues, are vitiating the home environment. But they are so addicted that they themselves cannot stop it. That is why we suggested a collective action,'' said Sudha.
A large number of parents took the oath to switch off the TV. But some had reservations as they felt that was the only way of relaxation after a hard day at work.
"Not all parents agreed. But those who realised the harm that the TV was doing to their children agreed to stop watching TV,'' said Usha Ratheeshan, mother of Harish, a 10th standard student.
When asked whether she is aware of Adoor Gopalakrishnan's recent comment that the TV serials need a tough censoring, Usha replied in negative.
"All I know is that TV, especially those serials, are bad for our children. I exhort all parents to switch of their TVs for the sake of their better future,'' she said.