Television is a household name now One hardly comes across a house today that does not have a television set. Even those who belong to the lower income group invest in a television set as soon as they can afford it.
Most Indians spend their evenings glued to the television as this is the most easily available entertainment for them. Now there are cable connections in most of the houses and with the advent of international channels on our television, the popularity of television has grown many folds.
How does television affect our lives today? We have to consider its advantages and disadvantages In some ways television is a boon. It is a vital source of information and helps to shape our lives in many ways. It keeps us posted with the latest political, social and cultural developments in the world. Hence it educates us.
It brings the people of the world closer by removing the distances that exist between us Sitting in our rooms, we get a view of the entire world. television also takes us nearer to the cultures of the world while entertaining us with soap operas, dances, plays, music, etc.
It educates us about the lifestyles of the foreigners in whose lands those programmes are produced. We can compare our own culture with their’s and can learn something from them. With a television set in the house, a person can never get lonely. It can be man’s best friend.
However, television turns into a curse when it interferes with our normal routine. Children neglect their school books and homework. It is a source of great temptation for children to watch a cartoon show or a movie on television rather than study.
Adults often become less social because of the television. They tie themselves down to the house, thus making themselves unavailable for various social gatherings. They might skip meeting a friend or calling on their relatives because they would rather watch a movie on television.
This keeps them confined to the house and they often miss out on activities which are equally, if not more important, outside the four walls of the house. If one balances the television viewing time and the time for work, then television is a boon all the way. Else it may become a curse.
