A scene in Kumkum Bhagya
I must applaud the management of AdomTV for the nice, interactive as well as edutainment programmes shown on their platform, most especially Kumkum Bhagya which has caught the attention of many Ghanaians as they are glued to their seats between the hours of 7:30pm to 9:00pm every working day, which seeks to straighten the relationship lives of people, married couples and those planning to marry as well as bringing families together. It’s a good initiative, which I know most people will agree with.
However, Kumkum Bhagya seems to cause more harm than good, I must confess.
As mentioned earlier, the primary aim of Kumkum Bhagya as shown on T.V. is to help married and would-be couples. But “kids” are now attracted and committed to this programme more than their books, and I wonder if these “kids” are “Marriage Counsellors”.
A week ago, I asked a primary three student what she studied in school. This young girl fumbled and couldn’t tell me exactly what she learnt in school. Amazingly, this young girl narrated to me what happened previously on Kumkum Bhagya from A-Z and I was shocked.
Majority of “kids” are now lazy to read their books and it’s affecting their academic performance in school all because of Kumkum Bhagya. 7:00pm – 9:30pm is a good time for “kids” to watch the evening news and educative programmes, get to know what is happening in and around the world, and remain updated.
But the introduction of Kumkum Bhagya on TV is making “our future” leaders lose interest in reading, watching educational programmes and news bulletin(s) on TV is now a taboo for them. They are now committed to Kumkum Bhagya than their books, ignore their assignments and later sleep in class the following day.
Interestingly, some students in this country don’t know the names of our Ministers of States, not even the name of our current Education Minister nor the President of Ghana but they can easily identify the names of all the Characters in Kumkum Bhagya.
Moreover, some scenes in Kumkum Bhagya which are not meant for children will be shown in full glare for them. And the possibility of them adopting these bad lifestyles such as excessive drinking, insults, etc from this programme is very high. Are they learning the right thing on Television?
It’s awful and also surprising to see boarding students in some of our various senior high schools in this country, most especially the female students scaling the fence and dodging to town just to catch a glimpse of Kumkum Bhagya. Yes! You have the absolute right to say “It's their life” but let’s not forget that, the introduction of Kumkum Bhagya has caused this canker.
In addition, most vibrant Christians have stopped going to church and evening prayers all because of Kumkum Bhagya. They’ve stopped attending evening prayers because the time in which Kumkum Bhagya starts isn’t favouring them to go and listen to the word of God or to pray.
Some Pastors are also lazy to engage and teach their members because they won’t come for them to leave in the middle of the service to watch Kumkum Bhagya. Lots of churches are collapsing these days and Pastors are afraid to complain, for fear of losing members. Others now resort to changing meeting days and time just to enable church members and prayer “warriors” watch Kumkum to their satisfaction.
Kindly conduct an “inquisitive check” on Churches and prayer grounds between the hours of 7:30pm – 9:30pm (Mon – Fri), 12:30pm – 4:00pm on Sundays and you’ll only find “Old men and women” worshipping and praising God, whiles those who are active with “strong bones” won’t be found. It’s either they won’t go to church or they’ll “vanish” immediately 7:30pm clocks.
You will quiz “How does it concern me?” Well, people are going wayward and you don’t care? Come On! This development isn’t the best and should be curbed.
The youth will murmur when they’re being asked to sing church hymns or asked to give bible quotations during service. But, these same people won’t find it difficult singing the theme song of Kumkum Bhagya neither will it be difficult for them to form Love quotes from the Telenovela. Wow!
Sadly, some parents encourage and even call their children to come and sit when Kumkum Bhagya starts. Others will turn their children into narrators in case they are not readily available to watch Kumkum Bhagya.
As a parent, do you expect your brilliant kid(s) to study after school or complete and submit his/her assignment the next day when Kumkum Bhagya is ongoing? Certainly Not! You are rather destroying the future. These parents will blame the devil when their children fail. Why blame the devil? When your actions and inactions caused it? I will also urge Parents to discourage their children from watching Kumkum Bhagya and encourage them to read their books. Alternatively, channels can be passworded to discourage “kids” from watching programmes which are meant for the adults.
“Kumkum” has also compelled some workers to be extra lazy at work. Do you doubt me? Ok! Find time, visit any office or workplace and you’ll see majority of workers, especially the young ladies wasting their precious time discussing “Kumkum Bhagya”, ignoring tasks’ assigned to them. And when they lose their job or are fired from their post, “the old men and women in their family are always in trouble.”
Some Teachers are fond of discussing the episodes of Kumkum Bhagya with their students during class hours. Teachers doing that should please put a stop to it. It won’t help but “kill” the zeal and spirit of our future leaders to sit and read.
In summation, I’m not saying the management of AdomTV should stop showing Kumkum Bhagya neither should it be banned from the screens since it has helped a lot of people especially those who are married. However, “we” will be glad should there be a change of time in showing this popular T.V. series. This will prevent Christians from dodging church activities and also help students to find ample time and learn, so as to perform well in Class and during Exams.
There is always time for everything. Thank You.
By ;Nambe Patrick – Sunyani B/A
