new thread
Came across this in the web:
New Delhi - Two students of a state-run school in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu attempted suicide after a teacher objected to their long hair and cut it off, it was reported on Sunday.
The police said high school students Sivaiya and Kalaiarasan felt "insulted" when the teacher objected to their long hair and cut it off from the front, UNI news agency reported.
The dejected teenagers then tried to commit suicide by drinking water mixed with a common pesticide.
The were rushed to hospital where they were recovering. - Sapa-dpa
Thats just stupid and idiotic, totally insanse behaviour - its only hair afterall. If they where so bothered they should have used any means neseccary to ensure their hair wasnt cut off in the first place.
Clearly the cultural gap between us and them is deep.
I dont think its a cultural thing at all, in fact its rather insulting to thier culture to suggest that suicide is an acceptable thing if things dont go your way in thier society. Where where they from again? China?
Tamil Nadu.
It looks like suicide is a huge problem in that area, and this is, unfortunately, all too typical. Calling them "stupid and idiotic, totally insane" is, well, not constructive.
Maybe not constructive but nevertheless true : ( maybe I should have chosen words like "beaten, lost, violated, helpless etc) but I stand by my previous assesment of thier mental state : ) and in fact i'd like to add one more "totally and uterly crazy".
Ok, so I just read your link, and it does seem pretty common there, but I still wouldnt say its a cultural thing... perhaps chemical? something in the water supply that sort of thing (mouldy grain?..where did that actually happen?), why are so many of them killing themselves?
It has something to do with their style of living. The people aren't happy as a whole with the way things are. But suicide won;t make things better...
There's some truth to this. Scientists recently have been studying ice core samples to learn that in certain times in the past there were select grain molds that heavily affected the grain crops (I recall barley), and after the climactic conditions occurred that supported the growth of the molds, there would occur spates of human recklessness and even insanity that resulted in "witch" burnings, battles, uprisings, torture, and other bizarre, sometimes unexplainable behavior that disappeared when the weather conditions become unfavorable to the molds.
JE
I think some of it is true today. It seems doctors are so quick to pass out the medications before knowing what is causing the health problem. Causes could be air pollution, indoor air pollution, diet, how foods are stored--molds in breads can cause problems including hallucinations.
Perhaps not. Their hair could have had religious significance for them. There are several Hindu sects in which the men do not cut their hair for spiritual reasons. Do not be so quick to judge.
Huey
"Ritual shaving of the head and direct removal of impurities held by the hair is an important procedure throughout life in Hinduism and is often connected with special pilgrimages and vows as well as standard rites of passage."
I understand that much of the human hair used for wigs and extensions in the US market comes from this source, and is thus not Kosher.
I recall that for Sikhs, the cutting of hair is forbidden. I can see where there could result great inner turmoil for those who are devout, especially if they are young and might encounter rejection from their family (a second rejection after that coming from the school).
Where I live, all of the human hair extensions are from China. There is a store near my home with probably $150,000 worth of such extensions. Someone is making a hefty profit.
JE
I wonder if these students are Sikhs. Sikhs are not permitted to cut their hair or shave their beards, and they must wear turbans when in public. But Sikhs come from the Northern part of India, so these students might not be since this incident took place in Southern India. But this may be the case. Check out http://sikhcoalition.org to find out more about this fascinating religion.
I still think it is rather extreme that the students would react in such a way. But then, I've never understood cultures whose members would sooner die than "lose face". Death before dishonor seems the way of life for them, but I can think of far more important things over which to be dishonored.
