Rebel notes

WHAT'S 'FUNDA'? Karting. What's trendy? Spaghetti straps.

What's hot? Cappuccino. What's hep? HFO.

What's fashion? Cargos. So, what's in? Plagiarism.

What's out? Rationalism.

Where are today's teens heading? What is it that they are trying to achieve? A barrage of questions to which there are no answers. None of what the teens do is pellucid to society.

The youths, in turn, rebel against whatever society preaches.

But among the rebels are those who rebel with a reason. For instance, against discriminatory systems, irrelevant norms etc. However, rebels without a cause being large in number, society in general, shuns them.

Most of the ills among youth are blamed on the growing effect of the pseudo culture. "I feel left out when I am with my friends, who only talk about girls and having fun," complains Nilesh.

Week-ends are always packed. If you can't visit Chennai's most hep and happening places like Qwiky's, Marry Brown, Planet Yumm, discotheques etc., you have missed a lot in life.

"These are the best places to be during weekends. I really wouldn't mind even living there the whole week," says Shyam Sundar.

Doing weird things seems to be teenagers' trademark - trousers with stitches outside, wearing leather jackets on a sunny day, unkempt hair etc. Forget the days, when as a sincere student one used to write an essay on 'ill-effects of caffeine'. But now into college, you find it fashionable to gulp mugs of Chococinno in the company of your girlfriend, in whose company you are ashamed to order a glass of orange juice. So, it is not surprising that coffee cafes have come up all over the place. After a nice evening out, you zoom off with the girl on a motorbike, oblivious of the traffic, risking life for a few minutes of fun. Cars full of young things speeding away on the East Coast Road on Saturdays and Sundays are a common sight.

Clueless definitely. Or else they would think twice before wasting every weekend, when it is time to do something in life. "Reckless driving cost Rajiv his life", recalls a shocked Pranesh. But there are those who callously shrug it off saying, "Fate ya, let his soul rest in peace."

"Their attitude is beyond my comprehension. I wonder why they are so arrogant and harsh," says Sheela Srinivasan, a teacher.

She is not the only one to be baffled. "We have given a long rope to the younger generation, who are going beyond control and hate being advised," adds Nalini Sampath, mother of two young sons.

Though some may not support this view, it does hold a lot of meaning. It is true that most of the teenagers are a confused lot and really do not realise the consequences of their deeds.

These accusations may enrage the younger generation, but it is time they understand the situation and act accordingly.

D. PRAVIN

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : Features
Previous : Talent unmasked
Next     : Style set him apart