It’s just another day in Khandarpur. The children of Dayani Vidyachand Public school are travelling by their school bus. The bright yellow coloured school bus on which it is boldly written ‘Dayani Vidyachand Public School, Khandarpur’, is making a lot of din on the road due to the loudness of children’s voice inside the school bus. Driver Mangu ignores the noise and keeps humming some old folk song. He is enjoying the company of these noisy children.
Suddenly, Karan points out to a hoarding on the road to his friends, “Look there, Paplufix channel is telecasting Gablumal cartoon show today at 8 o clock.”
Paplufix channel telecasts various cartoon show and their programmes are liked by children.
Karan’s friend Ankur says, “Ah! I saw a trailer on Paplufix channel yesterday on the same programme and it looks like an amusing show. I want to watch it today”
All his friends are quite excited about the cartoon programme.
At the other end, Manu and his group of friends are discussing about a programme on the Giant Panda, telecasted by Flora &Fauna channel the previous night. This channel broadcasts various educational and scientific programmes for children.
Manu says, “Let’s not miss the programme tonight on the African Elephant. It is at 7 o clock tonight.”
All his friends nod their head in agreement as if to say that come what it takes but they will not miss the programme tonight.
Finally, the bus reaches the school and it is just another usual day. Children return back home and carry on with their daily tasks.
The clock strikes 7 at Manu’s house.
Manu says, “Papa, I want to watch the programme on the African Elephant.”
“Sure Manu. Let’s all watch it together.” Rajesh says
“Akhila, the programme is about to start.” he informs his wife in the kitchen.
The entire family watches the programme, which is for an hour and they enjoy it. Akhila lays the dinner on the table. There is an intense discussion between all the three at the dinner table about the programme.
The scene at Karan’s house is a little different.
Karan is studying and soon at 8 o clock he charges toward the television and switches on his favourite channel telecasting Gablumal cartoon.
His mother call out, “Karan! Dinner time. I have made some hot phulkas and your favourite dal”
Karan ignores his mother’s call for dinner. His mother again calls out to him but he gives her a deaf ear.
Finally his mother walks up to him. She says,’ Karan, please have dinner. I have made your favourite dishes.”
“Shh! Ma, I want to watch the programme. I will have dinner watching Television.” He says in an irritating tone.
Karan is so engrossed in watching television and that seems to be on top priority. His mother finally gives up. Karan manages to have dinner watching the show while his parents are having dinner on the dining table.
Next day, it is the usual scene in the bus but this time Karan and his friends are discussing about the cartoon programme. All the children seem to have enjoyed it. There is lot of laughter while discussing about the newly started cartoon programme.
At the other end, Manu and his friends are discussing about the African Elephant show. There is exchange of useful information among all the children.
It another usual day in school and the routine in both the houses continue in the same manner for months together.
It’s time for Dayani Vidyachand Public school’s IQ test for children. They conduct this test once in every semester so that if any child requires assistance or improvement it can be notified to their parents.
There is usual hustle bustle in the classroom.
Sharma sir arrives with a bunch of questionnaire in this hand. He is a middle aged teacher and seems to be quite experienced in his field.
There is quite an excitement in the classroom about the tricky questions. Children quickly work on the questionnaire and submit it to Sharma sir.
Next day, it is the result time. To everyone’s amazement only Manu and his friends get high scores while the rest of the class scores very low. This seems to be the scene in every class of the school.
Manu says, “Yay yay! I have got the highest score in the class.”
“ Don’t showoff” says Karan snubbing him.
The school is really concerned about the results of the IQ test as it could affect the results of their school. Sharma sir calls Dr. Docs who prepares these questionnaires for children. The teacher is eager to find a resolution to the problem.
Dr. Docs, an old man with his white overcoat and prominent spectacles, says, “Oh! I need to find out why this problem is occurring amidst children. This is not only a problem in your school but almost all the children in Khandarpur are facing this problem.”
Dr. Docs leaves and promises to return with a resolution to the problem.
Over the next few days, he conducts various surveys on children. After much study, he is surprised to find that children who have demonstrated low scores are hit with a disease called “TVENSOMANIA”
“Oh! My God, I have to save these children from this problem, else they are in trouble.”
Dr. Docs immediately rushes to the school to meet Sharma sir.
He says in a concerned tone, “Mr. Sharma, majority of the children in your school are suffering from TVENSOMANIA?”
Sharma Sir exclaims, “ What is that? T V E N S O M A N I A!!!”
Dr. Docs says, “It is caused due to eating while watching television.”
Sharma Sir says, “Is there a cure to this problem? “
Dr. Docs says in a relieved tone, “Definitely, it can be cured.”
Sharma sir gives a sigh of relief and says, “Can you explain as to why this problem has hit our school children and Khandarpur?
Dr. Docs says “Most of the children are addicted to Gablumal cartoon programme that is telecasted at 8pm everyday. It’s dinnertime at most of the households and children tend to have dinner during this time watching it.”
“This disease could decrease their concentration and grasping power.” He adds.
“Please call all the parents and children who are suffering from this problem for a session tomorrow” He instructs Sharma sir.
The next day, Dr. Docs conducts the session in the school educating parents and children about the newly hit problem and how they can make an effort to resolve it. Dr. Docs has great convincing power and is well known to change a person’s way of thinking. He is quite witty and most of the children like his sessions.
At the end of the session Dr Docs says, “ Now tell me how many of you will have dinner watching Gablumal cartoon programme.”
None of the children raise their hands. Parents are happy because he manages to relieve their children from the problem. Back at their homes that evening, children have dinner at the dinner table at 8 o clock.
Due to popular demand and TVENSOMANIA, Paplufix channel changes the cartoon programme timings to 8:30 pm.
Eventually all the children get rid of this problem and they are all healthy and happy. The problem deceases and the fun and laughter continues in their life with their favourite cartoon show.
All the children score really high in the next IQ test.
Dayani Vidyachand Public school’s teachers, staff, parents and children are really happy to have got rid of this problem and it’s just happiness and good health everywhere.
–END–
