Society: Children Reaching Police Stations with Piggy Banks

Today, our world is facing the Coronavirus crisis and Lockdown related economic challenges. In midst of this crisis, we do get many news of personal courage and sacrifices. We keep hearing news where doctors, medical staff, policemen or even common people are shown going out the way to help the needy including stray animals. But there is one news which keeps appearing and I feel displeasure seeing it. It is the news about children going to police stations carrying their ‘gullak’ (piggy banks) and giving away all their savings for the cause of our nation. Many times, parents also accompany them. Such news keep appearing in the news portals and media; for example here. But what objection do I have against such humble gesture?

Every time I see such news, I feel sorry for the “risk” these kids are taking on themselves. Every time they are venturing out of their homes to go to the police station, they are taking a risk of being exposed to the Coronavirus infection. Why do they do it? Why are their parents supporting them in taking this risk? Do they want to make their kids compassionate by helping them in such activities? Or, are parents doing this to get themselves and their kids in the News? Do they plan to frame such newspaper cuttings and hang on the wall? Is this worth taking the risk?

There are alternative ways in which parents can help their kids show compassion and do something for their nation. For example, if kid insists on donating the money, perhaps inspired by the TV news channels or by someone else from neighborhood who did this, parents can get the kid take out the money, count it, then take it and do equal contribution to the PM Cares Fund using digital methods like BHIM UPI or Wallet Apps like Paytm. They can show the kids how money is getting transferred and how they are getting a confirmation or “Thank you” message on the screen and kids would understand that. If there are families who do not have access to digital media, one can simply convince the kids to keep the money counted and to donate the money only when the Lockdown is over.

I seriously think that the risk these parents are taking is not worth it. The Police should also stop posting such news on social media and encouraging more kids from taking such a risk.

I hope we shall see less such news going forward. It is really nice to raise compassionate kids, but it is equally necessary to keep them safe. Remember: “Safety First”.

- Rahul Tiwary