The recent road accident in Dehradun where six young lives were lost has left us all in shatters. Not because it is a first road accident case, but because of the sheer negligence showcased by young people, who are considered the wealth of the nation, after consuming alcohol and taking on rash driving and causing their own death! Just a few days ago there was a similar ill-fated accident that claimed the lives of two young medicos on the roads of Bhopal where they were speeding away a motorbike! Are these people not aware of road safety or are they illiterate? Certainly not! Then why?

The answer might not be straightforward. We all know youth is about the adrenaline rush. Speed thrills and alcohol adds more bling to the show! Easy pocket money, privileged backgrounds, ego drive, and the certainty of handling law through personal connections are a few of the factors. But one major factor among such tragic incidents is the obsession, the FOMO syndrome among the youth triggered by social media. Having liquor and posting it on stories on Social media has unfortunately been considered as cool by Gen Z! But at what cost? I am not someone to give a moral lecture here. After crossing the legal age of being an adult, it is a personal call whether you want to take up drinking or not! But when your drinking claims not just your life, but risks others’ lives too ,then questions need to be asked!

Life is precious, right? Not just for you. But for your parents, your family too. If you have noticed any young parent, you would understand the amount of hard work that goes into raising a child! And when such young lives are lost, think about what happens to  the family after such horrific & gruesome accidents. I can only imagine how haunting it can be for them !

  But is the culture of showing off not to be blamed here! This tendency to show off wealth never goes down well with me personally. Yes, good you are rich. It is a blessing. But you have no right to mock someone with less fortune with your money. Help others if you can or the least you can do is just not show off! Having a big heart is what makes you rich in real terms . However this culture of wealth show off  is very popular in many  parts of the country sadly. And from parents, it passes on to the children too. To show off wealth, to show off being in trend by drinking alcohol, taking to smoking, and anything that makes them feeling high is showcased in a grand way !  The sole purpose for such people to exist is probably to be Instagrammable and fit into reels even at the stake of real life! And people do not realize that when you are in the hospital, not a single soul from this virtual world even bothers to call you! Sharing my  personal experience here !

One more factor is that movies like Animal, Kabir Singh, etc showcase that it is okay to be so frustrated that you can go to any extremes because you are going through a ‘phase!’ These movies being a hit is in fact a concern for society. Who are young people looking up to these days in India?

To share a personal story, I am a non drinker . I do not smoke too. I do not enjoy going to those poorly lit pubs where people smoke  in air carelessly. Nothing to brag  about me here . This is just my personal Choice . But what I want to highlight that during my younger years when I was offered the chance to drink and I refused, I had to face rolling eyes of my peers making me feel that I do not belong. Later , it became a point to push me to take up the habit so that I get accepted, but given my stubborn nature wrt to my core beliefs and personal lifestyle, I did not budge. This has led me to be an outcast at many parties . And certainly in those times I have felt sad and left out. But today , I do not even know where those people are or even if I know , we just share few  hellos  and that’s it.  So, all I am.trying to say that many a times this insane peer pressure causes one to take up  to such activities , be it irresponsible drinking, reckless driving or taking crazy videos /pic/ selfies on those cliff edges etc aka reel mania  resulting in irreparable loss of life.

Life is not just yours . It belongs not just to you but your loved ones too ! Remember this, my young friends   before taking such steps in life,  because you may be gone but the pain that you inflict on your loved ones will never go  !

Boring is not bad. Mundane chores are not bad. Sometimes being lonely is not bad. Growth happens in many of these silent patches . Kindness may not be in trend but it can be life changing for you. Empathy may not make you look cool but will make you king /queen of many ailing hearts . I hope , the youth understands the gravity of such situations and gravitate towards a good value system eager to build a better society .

May the departing souls rest in peace and may God give strength to the grieving families. 

Love,

Chinmayee