Book on positive parenting launched in Kolkata

Prakriti Prasad's book on positive parenting – ParenTEEN: How to nurture your adolescents in modern times - was launched in Kolkata by the West Bengal Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi at the Raj Bhavan, on May 18.

Published by Rupa Publications, the book was recognized as the need of the hour and very well received by a mixed audience of parents, educators, school principals, counselors, social activists, senior bureaucrats, and corporates, who braved the inclement weather to attend the launch.

"These are indeed trying times as our generation of children, by the virtue of being born in this Digital Age, is grappling with all kinds of pressures. They are increasingly leading unhealthy lives- in terms of their food habits, sleeping patterns and recreation practices," said the Governor in his speech on the occasion. As a consequence of their unscrupulous lifestyles and multiple pressures of modern lives, it is rather sad to notice how children often end up taking the extreme step- in terms of suicide or homicide. This is why right parenting has become so crucial in today's world, observed Keshari Nath Tripathi.

The author, Prakriti Prasad explained the reason behind writing this book as her growing concern and unease at the rising incidence of violence and other reckless behaviours in youngsters. Focussed on identifying the fears, insecurities, dilemmas and interests of youngsters, the book promises to help adults understand their children better.

ParenTEEN addresses whole lot of issues pertaining to the lives of growing children, for instance depleting communication levels, daily pressures, gadget addiction, social media, underage drinking, complacency, teenage fury, spiritual grounding, handling predators and the importance of a loving home, to name some.

Pointing out the USPs of the book, Prasad said it was both experiential as well as research-based and that every anecdote narrated here was real. Moreover, unlike foreign writers who are often unable to understand specific issues of Indian teenagers, she had tried to tackle them at length here.

Besides the Governor, the three Guests of Honour of the evening – Rear Adm (Retd) Admiral A K Verma, noted danseuse and social activist Alokananda Roy and director Flotel Subha Pal commended the author on coming up with such a useful handbook for parents and educators.

The lively event sprinkled with Rabindra Sangeet, Guru Vandana and impromptu chats was interestingly hosted by noted stress management professional Nandini Choudhury Brahmachari.

Another aspect of the book launch which made it stand out was the fact that it was attended by most of the experts and counselors whom

Prakriti had interviewed for her research.