Harsu: Story Criticizing Spanking (beating) and Exploring Non Physical Forms for Disciplining Children

Critical Review of Modern Garhwali Short Stories -157

Modern Garhwali short Story by Om Prakash Semwal -2

Critical review of Garhwali Story ‘Harsu’ (2009)

                            Let Us Celebrate Hundredth Year of Modern Garhwali  Stories!

                           Review by Bhishma Kukreti

[Notes on Story Criticizing Spanking (beating) and Exploring Non Physical Forms of Disciplining Children; Garhwali Story Criticizing Spanking (beating) and Exploring Non Physical Forms of Disciplining Children; Uttarakhandi Story Criticizing Spanking (beating) and Exploring Non Physical Forms of Disciplining Children; Mid Himalayan Story Criticizing Spanking (beating) and Exploring Non Physical Forms of Disciplining Children; Himalayan Story Criticizing Spanking (beating) and Exploring Non Physical Forms of Disciplining Children; North Indian Story Criticizing Spanking (beating) and Exploring Non Physical Forms of Disciplining Children; Indian Story Criticizing Spanking (beating) and Exploring Non Physical Forms of Disciplining Children;  Indian subcontinent Story Criticizing Spanking (beating) and Exploring Non Physical Forms of Disciplining Children; South Asian Story Criticizing Spanking (beating) and Exploring Non Physical Forms of Disciplining Children; Asian Story Criticizing Spanking (beating) and Exploring Non Physical Forms of Disciplining Children; Oriental  Story Criticizing Spanking (beating) and Exploring Non Physical Forms of Disciplining Children]

          There have been discussions on the theories of motivating children for studying and getting excellent. One way is to spank, smack, slap, hit, strike, beat, bang, hammer, thump, thrash, pound or punch the children or student that they study seriously and get excellent marks. The present psychologists proved that non physical punishment is better than physical punishment.

           In general, spanking or physical punishments result to behavioral and emotional problems for children or students. In Garhwali story ‘Harsu  ‘, a teacher by profession, story writer Om Prakash Semwal also vouches that strict discipline and physical oppression to children by parents and teachers do not motivate students for smooth study .

        Kishan Singh beats his son Harsu that he gets excellent marks in the examination. Kishan also sees that Harsu does not play and is always busy in studies. One day Kishan beats Harsu very badly and Harsu leaves his village in the mid night and reaches to Mumbai. The readers become engaged in suspecting whether Harsu becomes successful in his life or not.   

         Om Prakash Semwal is successful in compelling readers to think about the motivating factors for children or students are rewarding, caring, explaining, showing examples but the physical punishment, spanking, beating, over disciplines are anti-motivating factors for children taking interest in studies.

  The story writer took pain in developing main characters and dialogues are suiting to characters. The story engages the readers due to weaving many factors of emotions. The tension and conflicts make the story readable till the end. However, story end seems to be copy of Hindi film style and is the weakest  part of the story.

Copyright@ Bhishma Kukreti 15/11/2012

Critical Review of Modern Garhwali Short Stories to be continued…1587

Modern Garhwali short Story by Om Prakash Semwal to be continued…3 

    Comments on Story Criticizing Spanking (beating) and Exploring Non Physical Forms of Disciplining Children; Garhwali Story Criticizing Spanking (beating) and Exploring Non Physical Forms of Disciplining Children; Uttarakhandi Story Criticizing Spanking (beating) and Exploring Non Physical Forms of Disciplining Children; Mid Himalayan Story Criticizing Spanking (beating) and Exploring Non Physical Forms of Disciplining Children; Himalayan Story Criticizing Spanking (beating) and Exploring Non Physical Forms of Disciplining Children; North Indian Story Criticizing Spanking (beating) and Exploring Non Physical Forms of Disciplining Children; Indian Story Criticizing Spanking (beating) and Exploring Non Physical Forms of Disciplining Children;  Indian subcontinent Story Criticizing Spanking (beating) and Exploring Non Physical Forms of Disciplining Children; South Asian Story Criticizing Spanking (beating) and Exploring Non Physical Forms of Disciplining Children; Asian Story Criticizing Spanking (beating) and Exploring Non Physical Forms of Disciplining Children; Oriental  Story Criticizing Spanking (beating) and Exploring Non Physical Forms of Disciplining Children  to be continued…    

              Let Us Celebrate Hundredth Year of Modern Garhwali   Stories!