Parents who work for children’s future end up in nursing homes, writer says
Writer Kumbar Veerabhadrappa was speaking after inaugurating the district level Children’s Day program for 2026-27 at the Zilla Panchayat conference hall in Ballari on Thursday. | Photo credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
Parents who work hard and make immense sacrifices to ensure that their children settle abroad or secure prestigious positions often end their later years in nursing homes, a growing social problem, said Kannada novelist and writer Kumbar Veerabhadrappa.
He was speaking after inaugurating the district level Children’s Day program for 2026-27 organized at Zilla Panchayat conference hall in Ballari on Thursday.
Expressing concern over the growing number of old age homes in the country, Mr. Veerabhadrappa said the current education system is increasingly focused on money, leaving little room for human values and respect for elders.
He emphasized the need to preserve village traditions, folk art and cultural customs and pass them on to future generations. He also described people donating the bodies of their deceased elderly parents to medical schools as a laudable practice that others should consider.
Appreciating the state government’s focus on child welfare, nutrition and quality of food provided in anganwadis, he said that Karnataka was seriously considering these issues from a scientific and rational point of view.
He expressed concern that the semester-based education system and the excessive homework given to children were affecting their opportunities to play and develop communication skills.
According to him, mobile phones have also become a major obstacle to the all-round development of children.
Mr. Veerabhadrappa urged the officials to go beyond routine meetings and administrative pressures and called for serious attention to health, safety and overall development of the young generation.
Senior Civil Judge and Member-Secretary, District Legal Services Authority Rajesh N. Hosamane, who also spoke on the occasion, emphasized the importance of inculcating moral values, discipline, traditions and respect for culture among children.
He expressed concern over the growing tendency of minors to ride motorcycles and urged parents to prevent minors from driving vehicles.
Law-abiding is the duty of every citizen, he said, adding that wearing helmets and obeying traffic rules is mandatory.
Parents should educate children about the importance of obeying the law and ensure that they do not violate traffic rules, he added.
Various competitions and activities were organized for children between the ages of nine and 16, covering visual arts, writing, performing arts and scientific innovation.
Prizes were presented to the winners during the program.
Published – 12 Nov 2026 19:24 IST