Disturbing news!

This evening's news on the Surya channel talked of an increasingly disturbing trend, amongst the school children of Kerala, of getting drawn into the use of drugs. The addiction ranges from the abuse of 'nail polish remover'(and I thought it was the most harmless of things!) to the use of 'brown sugar'.
Why do children get derailed in their journey of life at such an early stage? Are they disgusted with what they hear and see around them about the atrocious things that are happening in the society? Are their parents so busy that they've no time to spend with them? Or is it the 'in thing' to flaunt the use of drugs as a fashion statement?
Having asked the questions, time and again to myself, I'd like to believe that it's the handiwork of certain unscrupulous and disgruntled elements in society who're hell bent on making money at the expense of this country's future.
A concerted and combined effort on the part of the parents, school authorities and voluntary organisations need to focus on eradicating this scourge.

Can't the use of Endosulphan be curbed?
In the northern district of Kannur, in Kerala there are generations of people who've been ravaged by the extensive use of 'Endosulphan' as pesticide in the lush cashew plantations that are cash cows! Commerce at the cost of the health of the people is definitely unethical and self defeating. The horrible frames of the people suffering from the ill effects of the dreaded chemical makes one recoil in horror and shock.
There has been a sustained effort by the 'people's action groups' to put pressure upon the government to ban the use of this harmful chemical. But I suppose the pressure is not adequate enough to bring about the badly needed succour to the suffering people.

Tailpiece.
The cold in Delhi is getting to be intense as December progresses. Thankfully, today was clear and the sun had adequate strength. However, the Delhiites move around doing their normal chores without dwelling upon the discomfort! And that's the spirit that keeps thoroughbred 'mallus' like me to grin and bear it!!