Toys are more than fun

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Nilratan Halder | Published: April 30, 2016 00:00:00 | Updated: February 01, 2018 00:00:00

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Gone are the days when a palm leaf whistle, a bamboo flute, a clay doll or a kite would have been sufficient to absorb a child's total attention. Today toys of many shapes and sizes capable of running, flying or performing intricate manoeuvres are available. Those are the centre of attraction for children now. True, they are high performing but costly too. They prove more expensive for their operation than their prices. It is because the batteries needed for their operation do not last long. For affluent families, though, this is no problem but for middle class families, who feel they have a right to give the best of treats to their children but their purse hardly allows the luxury, it is not at all amusing.
An inferior complex is at work there. But even if it does not prove to be a monumental problem, there are genuine concerns about the impacts these toys leave on young minds irrespective of their family statuses. Not all the toys are artistic or innocent as they should have been. Introducing children to some of the toys made in imitation of firearms, military machines and tools is unlikely to be a wise decision. But parents -even if they are reluctant to procure those for their children finally yield mostly because someone of the young ones' peers does possess one.
A few of the toy guns or machines amply demonstrate their fire power. Boys or girls introduced to the prototypes of the actual things are likely to be more aggressive than others not exposed to such gadgets. A few of the toys even prove dangerous. Although there are warnings about handling such toys by underage children, those become of little effect because such alarms are meaningless. Keeping so and so toys out of the reach of children below this or that age is a futile advice, after all. Children's insistence and desperation cannot be taken care of so easily.
The other important feature missing such toys is the lack of artistic quality. Super active and smart, the toys are not known for producing fellow feelings and social bond. In fact there is little scope for a soft corner in the heart. What those make a child is alienate it from family, friends and society. Community participation suffers as a result of obsession with such high performing toys. Barring the rare exceptions of some animals which jump or summersault or make eyes at children, there is not much fun. Aggressiveness or speed most of the time take their attention.
This does not conform to social values here. One of the reasons why urban children fail to relate themselves with their surroundings or practical world is because they have been overexposed to toys not congenial to healthy mental development. Admittedly, there are toys that help raise the intelligent quotient (IQ) of children. Parental guidance is needed in selecting such toys. But most parents unthinkingly buy toys on their children's demand.
In fact, there is a need for guideline on manufacture and import of toys. The policymakers here are not unduly concerned about such small matters. But when these toys have impacts on the minds of children in their formative age, this no longer remains a non-issue. Sure enough, sophisticated toys are yet to be manufactured here. Chinese monopoly here is unquestioned. But why not local toy makers attempt to manufacture toys retaining themes of indigenous values and norms? They should be fun as well as educative so that children can learn through funs. The same applies to cartoons. More indigenous cartoons on classic fairy tales will be a fine treat.
The important thing is to stem the rot in young minds. This land has many things to take pride in. Imitation of foreign culture, habits and minds will not make this nation proud any more. It has earned its independence on its own merit. This merit must get reflected in all its activities.