Actor Akshay Kumar, known to be the vocal persona among many in the film industry, has often been seen sharing his concern over social issues. Kumar, who recently won his first National Film Award, is extremely unhappy with the increasing cases of suicide among millennials.
The “Rustom” actor took to Twitter to question the youth as to why they think their lives are not worth. He urged his fans to not be demotivated by small incidents in life such as wanting to kill themselves after scoring low in exams or failing.
He narrated his own roller-coaster journey, how he made it big as an actor despite failing in school exams.
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In the video, he says, “I want to say something from the bottom of my heart. I am extremely happy that I will finally be receiving my National Award from honourable President today. When the awards were being announced, I was talking to my mother and was recalling the time when I had once failed in my exam. I was worried that my parents would be extremely upset and angry with me. When I showed my report card to my parents, my father asked me what I wanted to do in life. I said I want to do sports. So, he said I can do sports and they will support me but have to continue studies too. I never knew that after sports, I would be drawn to martial arts, then modelling and acting happened. If that day my parents would not have made me understand my strengths, I would not have won this National Award nor I would have understood the reason I have it.”
He went on to explain, “I am telling you this story for a reason. I read about suicide cases. In fact, every year almost 8 lakh people kill themselves out of which 2.5 lakh cases are from India. Most of them are youngsters who commit suicide under pressure of studies or their failed relationship. Why… does your life have no value? If you want to do this, give away your life for the country instead. No matter how big is the stress, for once imagine the state of your parents when they would get to know about your suicide. Your parents do not deserve this kind of devastation.”
He then spoke about modern parents' lack of interest and time to listen to their children’s problems. “I would like to ask parents, where is the time when you used to talk with your children and ask them about everything? Today, how will your child address his problems to you when you yourself are too busy on your phone? Your child is searching for friends on Facebook.”
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He also discussed the stigma around the topic -- the mental checkups – that is and has always been the inconceivable for society. “You call for a doctor if they are hurt but if they are stressed or depressed, you just tell them to think positive. Mental help and check-up is as necessary as everything else. No matter how much I talk about it, it is you who has to take the decision. Talk to either friends or family. I need the promise that you will search for a solution, which is not suicide. For now, I would just say this.”
Hope your voice has not fallen on deaf ears, Akshay!
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