Prof at opening of Divali Nagar: Focus on respect for women and family

The causes of family breakdown are multifactorial and require a resetting of the norms within society and a national focus on respect for women and the family.

This was the view expressed by Prof Dilip Dan in his feature address at the opening of Divali Nagar in Chaguanas on Tuesday.

Speaking on the theme for the Nagar, Grihastha Ashram (Building Homes and Families), Prof Dan, president of the Society of Surgeons, said the troubles facing society would not exist if people followed the teaching of religious scriptures.

“Our scriptures hold women in the highest esteem. Domestic violence, physical or verbal, is not tolerable. Several excerpts from our scriptures display this,” he said, adding some public figures are also playing a role in the erosion of values through disgraceful behaviour.

“When we see the reprehensible behaviour of our public figures and leaders and the language they use with vulgar tones, what is to be expected for the rest of us and our children?’ he asked.

“The majority say if they can do it, so can we, hence the level of volatility amongst householders, drivers and even our students, leading to gang fighting and bullying.”

He said what is passing for culture in some circles leads to alcohol abuse.

“It is fairly common knowledge that we have a problem with alcohol dating back to the days our ancestors worked in the cane fields and would have a drink in the evening to relax from a hard day’s work. We all know Sundar Popo’s song, Nana and Nani, which tells a very comical story about Nana drinking white rum and Nani drinking wine,” he said.

“What we see today passing as music and song is a horrible deterioration in lyrics and unfortunately these sell like hot bread. We have enough trouble with Trinibad music and some very lewd and suggestive kaisos but our very own chutney leaves a lot to be desired … rum till I die, rum kill meh father, rum kill meh mother and you know the rest of the story.”

Prof Dan said those songs send subliminal messages that it’s okay to drink and abuse others.

NCIC president, Senator Deoroop Teemal, said Divali Nagar continues to be an integral part of the cultural landscape in T&T and has played a pivotal role in the acceptance of Divali as a national festival. He said the Nagar offers citizens and visitors a ready avenue to participate in the festival of lights.

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