RSS Sarsanghchalak Dr. Mohan Bhagwat on Sunday voiced concern over the growing emotional disconnect among children and young adults, attributing it to excessive dependence on mobile phones and the declining culture of family conversations.
Speaking at a programme in the city, Bhagwat said many parents now hand mobile phones to children to stop them from crying instead of engaging with them, a habit that weakens family bonds and affects children’s emotional development.
“When a child cries today, instead of talking to him or her, we place a mobile phone in the child’s hands. In a way, we are leaving the child in Google’s care,” Bhagwat remarked, adding that technology can never replace the warmth and guidance provided by parents and family members.
He said daily conversations within families once served as a natural means of passing on values, emotional support and life lessons, but these interactions are steadily disappearing in the digital era.
Family communication key to emotional resilience
Calling family dialogue the strongest antidote to loneliness, Bhagwat said children need regular interaction with parents and grandparents to develop emotional strength and resilience. He recalled that earlier generations cultivated their minds through books, while grandparents played a significant role in shaping young minds by sharing stories that instilled values and life skills.
“Books strengthened the mind, and stories narrated by grandparents helped inculcate values. Today, both are disappearing from family life,” he said.
Bhagwat expressed concern over the increasing number of young people struggling to cope with setbacks. Referring to incidents of students allegedly ending their lives after failing examinations, children leaving home after being scolded by parents, and youngsters taking extreme steps over relatively minor disappointments, he said these cases reflected a worrying lack of emotional resilience.
According to him, stronger family support and open communication are essential to helping children deal with failure and life’s challenges.
Mental health needs equal attention
Bhagwat said mental well-being deserves the same priority as physical health, noting that emotional instability often leads to stress, anger and poor decision-making, while also affecting recovery from illness. “Just as physical illness weakens the body, it also affects the mind. Likewise, a disturbed mind can have serious consequences for overall health,” he said.
While acknowledging the contributions of modern psychology, Bhagwat said India’s philosophical traditions have long emphasised understanding, disciplining and nurturing the mind. He stressed that mental well-being is fundamental to personal growth and a balanced life.
Calls for Indian model of psychology
The RSS chief also rejected the notion that alcohol offers relief from mental stress, saying lasting peace can only be achieved through self-discipline, healthy relationships, emotional balance and spiritual growth.
He called for the development of an indigenous framework for psychology rooted in Indian philosophy while incorporating modern scientific research. Such an approach, he said, could provide a more holistic understanding of the human mind and contribute to building emotionally stronger and healthier societies.
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