Cultural/Spiritual Infanticide

Formerly in many societies, female infanticide was practiced. The underlying reason was economic, as it was feared that girls may prove a financial burden.

A variant of this abhorrent practice, has resurfaced in the 21st Century, denying cultural & spiritual education to children, especially girls, the underlying reason being the same economic one. Even as late as the early part of the 20th century, it was mandatory for children, especially girls, both in Western & Indian societies, to learn the rudiments of the arts, in addition to the three R's. The opening up of higher & professional education for girls, unfortunately sounded the death-knell of this practice. It has become synonymous for a professionally educated girl to evince absolutely no interest in the fine arts.

This mad rush for only economically productive education has played ducks & drakes with the mental well-being of the children also. Spiritual education being completely side-lined in favour of purely religious practices (which has regressed to praying for only health, wealth, power & progeny, all purely worldly goals) has also caused greater mental illness, divorces & much worse. The truth that attainment of all worldly goals may still not bring true happiness, in spite of it hitting us in the eye everyday, is ignored.

For a real holistic happiness of the human soul, literature, classical music, art & unconditional love of God (not for what we can get out of Him) should become a part of our daily life.