Opinion
Dr. Ajantha Ranasinghe:
The Unsurpassable Wordsmith
by SVD Kesarralal Gunasekera
‘What a beautiful and remarkable human being’ is what comes to my mind every time I think of Dr. Ajantha Ranasinghe. He was an award-winning lyricist, a journalist, a writer and a critic. But what really is etched in my mind is what he was as a human being. There is so much to learn from his life. I am not appreciating him solely because he was a popular personality but because of his unassuming personality that made our lives so complete.
Lyricist par excellence
Dr. Ajantha was a fantastic lyricist. His style, as well as the varieties, are unique. He has been a lyricist for the Sinhala cinema for decades. As a young student, when we watched films ‘Lyrics: Ajantha Ranasinghe’ would appear on the big screen. From ‘Gamey Kopi Kade’ (Sanath Nandasiri) type of upbeat songs, which creates a series of images in our minds about a small coffee stall in a village, to ’Paarami Dam Puramu api denna’ (Neela Wickramasinghe) which speaks about affection of siblings, and to ‘Kalpana lowa mal waney’ (Abeywardhana Balasooriya) which expresses the depths of romantic love, Dr. Ajantha had the ability to select the words suitable for each singer. He had a rich vocabulary from which he culled the right words and turned it into a song.
Not only did he bring Buddhist philosophy into his songs, in ‘Mey Ayurin Api Sansarey’ (T M Jayaratne), but he was equally brilliant in writing “Bodhu Gee” which touched the souls of the people. ‘Nirvana Swarna Dwarayen’ (Sanath Nandasiri) and ‘Uththama Muni Dalada wadammana’ (Dharmadasa Walpola) are two such songs which are still so popular.
Film songs
In the golden era of the Sinhala Cinema, his songs made each film unforgettable. songs were the thread that kept the entire film together. ‘Ran Kenden Banda’ (Duhulu Malak) is a fine example of packaging the entire film in a song. ‘Mala Gira’ and ‘Dedunnen Ena Samanalune’ (Vasanthey Dawasak) are still popular and memorable. In the later years, he wrote songs like ‘ Villuda Punchi Depa’ (Mamai Raja) which were ideal for the movie. Dr. Ajantha was able to relate to the storyline. His lyrics were the icing on the cake. It adorned the film and enhanced its quality. No other lyricist could even match that capability. Dr. Ajantha has contributed over 300 songs to the Sinhala cinema, starting from 1976.
Love songs
Generations of lovers have enjoyed his songs for their ability to pull the heart strings. We all remember the song ‘May Mai Gaha Yata’ (Milton Mallawarachchi) which was based on personal experience. ‘Adara Samarum’ (Sanath Nandasiri). He brought his experiences and makes them universal. He was someone who loved deeply and was able to relate to human feelings. ‘Suwanda Deni’ (Rookantha Gunatillake) brings out the uneasy, delightful feeling of being in love. Undoubtedly, this song showed the world what a great singer Rookantha is, as the song required the singer to be so disciplined to deliver the feelings embedded. Love songs are difficult to write unless one has both received and given love in abundance to be able to express it. Also, one must have the language skill and the proficiency to express it in words. Dr. Ajantha belonged to that era of people who loved and were able to share that love.
The Humanist
I have spent time with Dr. Ajantha at various gatherings. He had the mildest of manners. He would address persons as ‘Mahathmaya’ all the time. Irrespective of how close we were, he addressed me as ‘ mahathmaya’ or Mr. Gunasekera. He was someone who always gave respect to others. During these occasions, he would narrate so many stories. He was a warehouse of anecdotes that drew everyone’s attention. Even when we gathered at his home, he recalled story after story about incidents of the past, homourous events and also stories about famous personalities. None of the stories were to slander anyone, but to appreciate and enjoy.
I still recall a story that he said about late HR Jothipala. He said that a cigarette company approached HR Jothipala once, requesting him to appear in a cigarette advertisement.The opportunity would have given him a lot of money for endorsing a certain brand. But his response was ‘Just because I smoke, why should I ask others also to smoke?’. Thus, he declined the offer.
Peacemaker
As a human being, one of the greatest things we can do for others is to create peace. Dr. Ajantha had the natural talent and the heart to do so. There was a time, in history, when Dharmadasa Walpola had had a fall out with the SLBC. He had been so disheartened that he had given up singing and had opened a small shop. When Dr. Ajantha had penned the song ‘Uththama Muni Dalada’ and shown it to Sanath Nandasiri, he has said that if there is anyone who can sing this song, it is none other than Dharmadasa Walpola. Dr. Ajantha had gone in search of this fabulous singer who refused to sing the song. Dr. Ajantha, knowing the talent that Dharmadasa had, was determined to bring him back into the music scene. He had given the lyrics and told that Sanath Nandasiri is composing the music. While getting back on the scooter, he had told him the time at which the recording will be done at SLBC and left the sheet of paper with lyrics with Dharmadasa Walpola. His parting words were “Dharmadasa Ayya, remember that there is a universal norm that only one artiste is born among one hundred thousand births, and that one artist is not placed on earth to ‘run a shop’, but to perform for the people!”
On the day of the recording, when Dharmadasa Walpola came to SLBC the Director General H M Gunasekera, personally came out to receive him. And with one take, the recording was done. That is how we regained Dharmadasa Walpola to the Sri Lanka music field, thanks to Dr. Ajantha.
A lessor known fact is that he was also a grade C singer at the SLBC. He had a natural talent to think music when he penned the words. During his time, through all his lyrics, he brought the composer and the singer together. He used his penmanship to bring people together. And there was no competition among the three parties. They all had one goal, to create a song that will live forever.
Dr. Ajantha has written songs for almost all the veteran singers in our music industry, such as W.D Amaradeva, Victor Ratnayake, Milton Mallwarachchi, Malini Bulathsinhala, Indrani Perera, Sanath Nandasiri, HR Jothipala, Nanda Malini, T M Jayaratne, Neela Wickramasinghe, Clarence Wijewardhana, Latha and Dharmadasa Walpola. But it must be noted that he has grown together with the young generation, as well, such as Nirosha Virajini, Rookantha and Chandralekha. The only hit song which Raj Seneviratne had ‘ Sili Sili Seethala Alley’ was also written by Dr. Ajantha. One can only be awed by the variety of songs and the types of songs he has written and how he is able to relate to the feelings of both males and females when it came to lyrics. And he worked with composers such as Premasiri Khemadasa, Sarath Dassanayake, Somadasa Elwitigala and Sanath Nandasiri to bring forth different types of melodies.
The Journalist
Dr Ajantha was also a successful journalist. At a very young age he wrote poetry and short stories for the children’s pages of the Silumina and Peramuna and contributed to programmes on the SLBC. His poetry was frequently published in the Silumina, Vanitha Viththi, and Lankadeepa. Eventually, he was selected as a staff reporter for the Dinamina. He was a both a provincial news editor and local news editor at the Dinamina. He served as an Editor, at Lake House, for 25 years. He also worked as a Features editor of Janatha and also the Editor-in-Chief of Nawayugaya. Dr. Ajantha was well read and he loved working. In his later years, he was a consultant at the SLBC. His journalistic career shows the length and breadth of his experience and knowledge that enabled him to be a great writer.
He has also written short stories and poems which have been published. Landuni Mata Varam Natha (1975),Vinkal Bass (1978), Kristhuni Karunakara Manawa (1995), Sihina Kumara Saha Othamo (2009),Thunpath Rata, Thiwanka Rekha (1964), Janakanthayinge Manakantha Katha to name a few.
Life with Sarojini
Dr. Ajantha’s wife Sarojini (daughter of Kokiladevi Weeratunga) is a lady I always respected. Dr. Ajantha has disclosed that as a journalist he had to interview this singer and that is how fell in love with the daughter. There was such support from Sarojini for his literary works. She was a kind and understanding wife who allowed Dr. Ajantha to write – especially love songs. She never queried about the songs or who he wrote them for. Dr. Ajantha even spoke of his former loves in Sarojini’s presence. She understood him well. Thanks to her supportive nature, we are blessed with hundreds of beautiful love songs. Dr. Ajantha loved her dearly. Their two children Saranga and Devalochana were his life. The children were very close to him. There was such harmony in that house where friends were always welcome.
Humble to the core
Born in Thalammahara in Kurunegala, he went to Pannala Government School and later to St. John’s College, Nugegoda. He remained the same humble human being, even after receiving the President’s Award for Best Song Writer of the Year, on three occasions, and Lifetime Achievement Award in Journalism, Awards for Excellence Programme, organised by the Editor’s Guild of Sri Lanka, in 2014. He received many awards at the film and literary festivals, such as Sarasaviya, OCIC, State Literary, Raigam, Sumathi awards. He always respected everyone all the time. I do recall an instance where a young radio DJ of an FM channel addressed him as ‘Ajantha’. The young woman would have been half his age and not even with quarter of his experience. But Dr. Ajantha took no notice of the way he was addressed. He continued the interview giving full respect to the young woman.
Untimely death
I feel compelled to write about the way his untimely death occurred. Early one morning, a van from the SLBC was sent to his residence to pick him up. He could not get into the front seat, so his choice was to get into the rear. The driver of the vehicle did not get down to support him. When he was getting into the vehicle through the sliding door on the side, he missed his footing. He had nothing to hold onto. He knocked his head on the ground. I feel that if the organization, who was sending the vehicle to him, was mindful of his age and his value, if the driver was either instructed to help the passenger or was considerate, we would not have lost this invaluable human being. It is a lesson for everyone who is handling transport; to be mindful of the passengers when they are getting in and out of a vehicle.
It was our great honour to have known Dr. Ajantha Ranasinghe. We respected him with all our hearts. He was a giant in the fields of music, movies and journalism. He was truly a scholarly man. His contribution to this country is immeasurable. There is no argument that he was a national treasure.
The Unsurpassable Wordsmith, may you attain the supreme bliss of Nibbana.
by Dr B.J.C.Perera
MBBS(Cey), DCH(Cey), DCH(Eng), MD(Paed), MRCP(UK), FRCP(Edin),
FRCP(Lon), FRCPCH(UK), FSLCPaed, FCCP, Hony FRCPCH(UK), Hony. FCGP(SL)
Specialist Consultant Paediatrician and Honorary Senior Fellow,
Postgraduate Institute of Medicine, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Joint Editor, Sri Lanka Journal of Child Health
In an age of unprecedented global development, technological advancements, universal connectivity, and improvements in living standards in many areas of the world, it is a very dark irony that child food poverty remains a pressing issue. UNICEF defines child food poverty as children’s inability to access and consume a nutritious and diverse diet in early childhood. Despite the planet Earth’s undisputed capacity to produce enough food to nourish everyone, millions of children still go hungry each day. We desperately need to explore the multifaceted deleterious effects of child food poverty, on physical health, cognitive development, emotional well-being, and societal impacts and then try to formulate a road map to alleviate its deleterious effects.
Every day, right across the world, millions of parents and families are struggling to provide nutritious and diverse foods that young children desperately need to reach their full potential. Growing inequities, conflict, and climate crises, combined with rising food prices, the overabundance of unhealthy foods, harmful food marketing strategies and poor child-feeding practices, are condemning millions of children to child food poverty.
In a communique dated 06th June 2024, UNICEF reports that globally, 1 in 4 children; approximately 181 million under the age of five, live in severe child food poverty, defined as consuming at most, two of eight food groups in early childhood. These children are up to 50 per cent more likely to suffer from life-threatening malnutrition. Child Food Poverty: Nutrition Deprivation in Early Childhood – the third issue of UNICEF’s flagship Child Nutrition Report – highlights that millions of young children are unable to access and consume the nutritious and diverse diets that are essential for their growth and development in early childhood and beyond.
It is highlighted in the report that four out of five children experiencing severe child food poverty are fed only breastmilk or just some other milk and/or a starchy staple, such as maize, rice or wheat. Less than 10 per cent of these children are fed fruits and vegetables and less than 5 per cent are fed nutrient-dense foods such as eggs, fish, poultry, or meat. These are horrendous statistics that should pull at the heartstrings of the discerning populace of this world.
The report also identifies the drivers of child food poverty. Strikingly, though 46 per cent of all cases of severe child food poverty are among poor households where income poverty is likely to be a major driver, 54 per cent live in relatively wealthier households, among whom poor food environments and feeding practices are the main drivers of food poverty in early childhood.
One of the most immediate and visible effects of child food poverty is its detrimental impact on physical health. Malnutrition, which can result from both insufficient calorie intake and lack of essential nutrients, is a prevalent consequence. Chronic undernourishment during formative years leads to stunted growth, weakened immune systems, and increased susceptibility to infections and diseases. Children who do not receive adequate nutrition are more likely to suffer from conditions such as anaemia, rickets, and developmental delays.
Moreover, the lack of proper nutrition can have long-term health consequences. Malnourished children are at a higher risk of developing chronic illnesses such as heart disease, diabetes, and obesity later in life. The paradox of child food poverty is that it can lead to both undernutrition and overnutrition, with children in food-insecure households often consuming calorie-dense but nutrient-poor foods due to economic constraints. This dietary pattern increases the risk of obesity, creating a vicious cycle of poor health outcomes.
The impacts of child food poverty extend beyond physical health, severely affecting cognitive development and educational attainment. Adequate nutrition is crucial for brain development, particularly in the early years of life. Malnutrition can impair cognitive functions such as attention, memory, and problem-solving skills. Studies have consistently shown that malnourished children perform worse academically compared to their well-nourished peers. Inadequate nutrition during early childhood can lead to reduced school readiness and lower IQ scores. These children often struggle to concentrate in school, miss more days due to illness, and have lower overall academic performance. This educational disadvantage perpetuates the cycle of poverty, as lower educational attainment reduces future employment opportunities and earning potential.
The emotional and psychological effects of child food poverty are profound and are often overlooked. Food insecurity creates a constant state of stress and anxiety for both children and their families. The uncertainty of not knowing when or where the next meal will come from can lead to feelings of helplessness and despair. Children in food-insecure households are more likely to experience behavioural problems, including hyperactivity, aggression, and withdrawal. The stigma associated with poverty and hunger can further exacerbate these emotional challenges. Children who experience food poverty may feel shame and embarrassment, leading to social isolation and reduced self-esteem. This psychological toll can have lasting effects, contributing to mental health issues such as depression and anxiety in adolescence and adulthood.
Child food poverty also perpetuates cycles of poverty and inequality. Children who grow up in food-insecure households are more likely to remain in poverty as adults, continuing the intergenerational transmission of disadvantage. This cycle of poverty exacerbates social disparities, contributing to increased crime rates, reduced social cohesion, and greater reliance on social welfare programmes. The repercussions of child food poverty ripple through society, creating economic and social challenges that affect everyone. The healthcare costs associated with treating malnutrition-related illnesses and chronic diseases are substantial. Additionally, the educational deficits linked to child food poverty result in a less skilled workforce, which hampers economic growth and productivity.
Addressing child food poverty requires a multi-faceted approach that tackles both immediate needs and underlying causes. Policy interventions are crucial in ensuring that all children have access to adequate nutrition. This can include expanding social safety nets, such as food assistance programmes and school meal initiatives, as well as targeted manoeuvres to reach more vulnerable families. Ensuring that these programmes are adequately funded and effectively implemented is essential for their success.
In addition to direct food assistance, broader economic and social policies are needed to address the root causes of poverty. This includes efforts to increase household incomes through living wage policies, job training programs, and economic development initiatives. Supporting families with affordable childcare, healthcare, and housing can also alleviate some of the financial pressures that contribute to food insecurity.
Community-based initiatives play a vital role in combating child food poverty. Local food banks, community gardens, and nutrition education programmes can help provide immediate relief and promote long-term food security. Collaborative efforts between government, non-profits, and the private sector are necessary to create sustainable solutions.
Child food poverty is a profound and inescapable issue with far-reaching consequences. Its deleterious effects on physical health, cognitive development, emotional well-being, and societal stability underscore the urgent need for comprehensive action. As we strive for a more equitable and just world, addressing child food poverty must be a priority. By ensuring that all children have access to adequate nutrition, we can lay the foundation for a healthier, more prosperous future for individuals and society as a whole. The fight against child food poverty is not just a moral imperative but an investment in our collective future. Healthy, well-nourished children are more likely to grow into productive, contributing members of society. The benefits of addressing this issue extend beyond individual well-being, enhancing economic stability and social harmony. It is incumbent upon us all to recognize and act upon the understanding that every child deserves the right to adequate nutrition and the opportunity to thrive.
Despite all of these existent challenges, it is very definitely possible to end child food poverty. The world needs targeted interventions to transform food, health, and social protection systems, and also take steps to strengthen data systems to track progress in reducing child food poverty. All these manoeuvres must comprise a concerted effort towards making nutritious and diverse diets accessible and affordable to all. We need to call for child food poverty reduction to be recognized as a metric of success towards achieving global and national nutrition and development goals.
Material from UNICEF reports and AI assistance are acknowledged.
By Dr Upul Wijayawardhana
The colossal failure of not a single opinion poll predicting accurately the result of the Indian parliamentary election, the greatest exercise in democracy in the world, raises the question whether the importance of opinion polls is vastly exaggerated. During elections two types of opinion polls are conducted; one based on intentions to vote, published during or before the campaign, often being not very accurate as these are subject to many variables but exit polls, done after the voting where a sample tally of how the voters actually voted, are mostly accurate. However, of the 15 exit polls published soon after all the votes were cast in the massive Indian election, 13 vastly overpredicted the number of seats Modi’s BJP led coalition NDA would obtain, some giving a figure as high as 400, the number Modi claimed he is aiming for. The other two polls grossly underestimated predicting a hung parliament. The actual result is that NDA passed the threshold of 272 comfortably, there being no landslide. BJP by itself was not able to cross the threshold, a significant setback for an overconfident Mody! Whether this would result in less excesses on the part of Modi, like Muslim-bashing, remains to be seen. Anyway, the statement issued by BJP that they would be investigating the reasons for failure rather than blaming the process speaks very highly of the maturity of the democratic process in India.
I was intrigued by this failure of opinion polls as this differs dramatically from opinion polls in the UK. I never failed to watch ‘Election night specials’ on BBC; as the Big Ben strikes ‘ten’ (In the UK polls close at 10pm} the anchor comes out with “Exit polls predict that …” and the actual outcome is often almost as predicted. However, many a time opinion polls conducted during the campaign have got the predictions wrong. There are many explanations for this.
An opinion poll is defined as a research survey of public opinion from a particular sample, the origin of which can be traced back to the 1824 US presidential election, when two local newspapers in North Carolina and Delaware predicted the victory of Andrew Jackson but the sample was local. First national survey was done in 1916 by the magazine, Literary Digest, partly for circulation-raising, by mailing millions of postcards and counting the returns. Of course, this was not very scientific though it accurately predicted the election of Woodrow Wilson.
Since then, opinion polls have grown in extent and complexity with scientific methodology improving the outcome of predictions not only in elections but also in market research. As a result, some of these organisations have become big businesses. For instance, YouGov, an internet-based organisation co-founded by the Iraqi-born British politician Nadim Zahawi, based in London had a revenue of 258 million GBP in 2023.
In Sri Lanka, opinion polls seem to be conducted by only one organisation which, by itself, is a disadvantage, as pooled data from surveys conducted by many are more likely to reflect the true situation. Irrespective of the degree of accuracy, politicians seem to be dependent on the available data which lend explanations to the behaviour of some.
The Institute for Health Policy’s (IHP) Sri Lanka Opinion Tracker Survey has been tracking the voting intentions for the likely candidates for the Presidential election. At one stage the NPP/JVP leader AKD was getting a figure over 50%. This together with some degree of international acceptance made the JVP behave as if they are already in power, leading to some incidents where their true colour was showing.
The comments made by a prominent member of the JVP who claimed that the JVP killed only the riff-raff, raised many questions, in addition to being a total insult to many innocents killed by them including my uncle. Do they have the authority to do so? Do extra-judicial killings continue to be JVP policy? Do they consider anyone who disagrees with them riff-raff? Will they kill them simply because they do not comply like one of my admired teachers, Dr Gladys Jayawardena who was considered riff-raff because she, as the Chairman of the State Pharmaceutical Corporation, arranged to buy drugs cheaper from India? Is it not the height of hypocrisy that AKD is now boasting of his ties to India?
Another big-wig comes with the grand idea of devolving law and order to village level. As stated very strongly, in the editorial “Pledges and reality” (The Island, 20 May) is this what they intend to do: Have JVP kangaroo-courts!
Perhaps, as a result of these incidents AKD’s ratings has dropped to 39%, according to the IHP survey done in April, and Sajith Premadasa’s ratings have increased gradually to match that. Whilst they are level pegging Ranil is far behind at 13%. Is this the reason why Ranil is getting his acolytes to propagate the idea that the best for the country is to extend his tenure by a referendum? He forced the postponement of Local Governments elections by refusing to release funds but he cannot do so for the presidential election for constitutional reasons. He is now looking for loopholes. Has he considered the distinct possibility that the referendum to extend the life of the presidency and the parliament if lost, would double the expenditure?
Unfortunately, this has been an exercise in futility and it would not be surprising if the next survey shows Ranil’s chances dropping even further! Perhaps, the best option available to Ranil is to retire gracefully, taking credit for steadying the economy and saving the country from an anarchic invasion of the parliament, rather than to leave politics in disgrace by coming third in the presidential election. Unless, of course, he is convinced that opinion polls do not matter and what matters is the ballots in the box!
By Prof. Kirthi Tennakone
ktenna@yahoo.co.uk
Thoughtfulness is the quality of being conscious of issues that arise and considering action while seeking explanations. It facilitates finding solutions to problems and judging experiences.
Almost all human accomplishments are consequences of thoughtfulness.
Can you perform day-to-day work efficiently and effectively without being thoughtful? Obviously, no. Are there any major advancements attained without thought and contemplation? Not a single example!
Science and technology, art, music and literary compositions and religion stand conspicuously as products of thought.
Thought could have sinister motives and the only way to eliminate them is through thought itself. Thought could distinguish right from wrong.
Empathy, love, amusement, and expression of sorrow are reflections of thought.
Thought relieves worries by understanding or taking decisive action.
Despite the universal virtue of thoughtfulness, some advocate an idea termed mindfulness, claiming the benefits of nurturing this quality to shape mental wellbeing. The concept is defined as focusing attention to the present moment without judgment. A way of forgetting the worries and calming the mind – a form of meditation. A definition coined in the West to decouple the concept from religion. The attitude could have a temporary advantage as a method of softening negative feelings such as sorrow and anger. However, no man or woman can afford to be non-judgmental all the time. It is incompatible with indispensable thoughtfulness! What is the advantage of diverting attention to one thing without discernment during a few tens of minute’s meditation? The instructors of mindfulness meditation tell you to focus attention on trivial things. Whereas in thoughtfulness, you concentrate the mind on challenging issues. Sometimes arriving at groundbreaking scientific discoveries, solution of mathematical problems or the creation of masterpieces in engineering, art, or literature.
The concept of meditation and mindfulness originated in ancient India around 1000 BCE. Vedic ascetics believed the practice would lead to supernatural powers enabling disclosure of the truth. Failing to meet the said aspiration, notwithstanding so many stories in scripture, is discernable. Otherwise, the world would have been awakened to advancement by ancient Indians before the Greeks. The latter culture emphasized thoughtfulness!
In India, Buddha was the first to deviate from the Vedic philosophy. His teachers, Alara Kalama and Uddaka Ramaputra, were adherents of meditation. Unconvinced of their approach, Buddha concluded a thoughtful analysis of the actualities of life should be the path to realisation. However, in an environment dominated by Vedic tradition, meditation residually persisted when Buddha’s teachings transformed into a religion.
In the early 1970s, a few in the West picked up meditation and mindfulness. We Easterners, who criticize Western ideas all the time, got exalted after seeing something Eastern accepted in the Western circles. Thereafter, Easterners took up the subject more seriously, in the spirit of its definition in the West.
Today, mindfulness has become a marketable commodity – a thriving business spreading worldwide, fueled largely by advertising. There are practice centres, lessons onsite and online, and apps for purchase. Articles written by gurus of the field appear on the web.
What attracts people to mindfulness programmes? Many assume them being stressed and depressed needs to improve their mental capacity. In most instances, these are minor complaints and for understandable reasons, they do not seek mainstream medical interventions but go for exaggeratedly advertised alternatives. Mainstream medical treatments are based on rigorous science and spell out both the pros and cons of the procedure, avoiding overstatement. Whereas the alternative sector makes unsubstantiated claims about the efficacy and effectiveness of the treatment.
Advocates of mindfulness claim the benefits of their prescriptions have been proven scientifically. There are reports (mostly in open-access journals which charge a fee for publication) indicating that authors have found positive aspects of mindfulness or identified reasons correlating the efficacy of such activities. However, they rarely meet standards normally required for unequivocal acceptance. The gold standard of scientific scrutiny is the statistically significant reproducibility of claims.
If a mindfulness guru claims his prescription of meditation cures hypertension, he must record the blood pressure of participants before and after completion of the activity and show the blood pressure of a large percentage has stably dropped and repeat the experiment with different clients. He must also conduct sessions where he adopts another prescription (a placebo) under the same conditions and compares the results. This is not enough, he must request someone else to conduct sessions following his prescription, to rule out the influence of the personality of the instructor.
The laity unaware of the above rigid requirements, accede to purported claims of mindfulness proponents.
A few years ago, an article published and widely cited stated that the practice of mindfulness increases the gray matter density of the brain. A more recent study found there is no such correlation. Popular expositions on the subject do not refer to the latter report. Most mindfulness research published seems to have been conducted intending to prove the benefits of the practice. The hard science demands doing the opposite as well-experiments carried out intending to disprove the claims. You need to be skeptical until things are firmly established.
Despite many efforts diverted to disprove Einstein’s General Theory of Relativity, no contradictions have been found in vain to date, strengthening the validity of the theory. Regarding mindfulness, as it stands, benefits can neither be proved nor disproved, to the gold standard of scientific scrutiny.
Some schools in foreign lands have accommodated mindfulness training programs hoping to develop the mental facility of students and Sri Lanka plans to follow. However, studies also reveal these exercises are ineffective or do more harm than good. Have we investigated this issue before imitation?
Should we force our children to focus attention on one single goal without judgment, even for a moment?
Why not allow young minds to roam wild in their deepest imagination and build castles in the air and encourage them to turn these fantasies into realities by nurturing their thoughtfulness?
Be more thoughtful than mindful?
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