Rape, murder, crime, robbery, corruption are words that we associated it with foreign countries but nowadays we hear it almost everyday in Mauritius. In such a small country as ours, many violent acts happen daily. Has the world changed for the worse? Good deeds are rarely heard and seen. Murders are countless. What is happening to human beings? Do they have an inner conscience? Recently a father allegedly killed his children because of poverty. This is not a solution to our problems. For the simplest reason killing someone has become so easy. ?Thou shall not kill?, the Bible states, but do people put in practice what is preached? Every problem comes along with its solution. We are not God to decide who has to die or who has to live. We should let God do his work.

Religion, customs and traditions have become outdated for most of us nowadays. Day by day people are forgetting their values. People do not have time to stop and think of what is happening around them. They are living for themselves. Everyone has become selfish. There is no sense of humanity present in our daily lives. Violence has become part and parcel of it. Incestuous acts happen very often.

Does humanity still exists? Fathers and brothers are inflicting pain on their own offsprings and siblings. All kinds of devilish acts are talked about everyday. Where has the respect for elders gone? There is no respect for anyone in society. Every human being is running after money. All they want is to satisfy all their desires. Many people have lost their lives unnecessarily this year. Due to carelessness, revenge, jealousy; many lives would go in the coming years.

What can be the reason for all these wrong deeds? Do we have the answer? Is it that God is angry with us? All that is happening is beyond our imagination. Prayers, belief and devotion are words rarely heard. In the name of God, many wrong deeds are performed. Certain people are doing it to get fame in society and some because their neighbours are doing it. So, is God important in the 21st century? Where does God stand in the lives of people today? If life of long ago is compared to today?s, what we can deduce is that today we have a merciless and dangerous society. We do not know what can happen to us, our family or friends at the end of each day. It has becomes of the ?survival of the fittest?.

These matters have gone beyond the hands of human beings. Severe punishments are being given to culprits but the number of crimes is not diminishing. Everyday we are introduced to a new type of violent act. People are looking for more and more ways to eliminate their enemies or satisfy themselves. No one is able to stop them. Many youngsters are having drugs as their friends. Drugs, sex, alcohol are no more taboo to today?s generation. They are bent on ruining their own lives without the least thought for their parents. If our present is at such a stage, wherein lies our future?

Let?s put our hands together to pray for a better society. Let?s hope the coming year changes the course of our lives. We all wish to live in a peaceful and respectful society.

Shavila DHORBUL