Romeos juliets and valentines of Andhra
Drawing a parallel to Shakespeare's tragic young lovers, author Ram Kamal highlights a rising school-level romance epidemic in Andhra Pradesh. Driven by unrealistic portrayals in Telugu cinema and a lack of regulation on tobacco and alcohol sales near educational facilities, more than 70% of school students are estimated to be in relationships. Kamal warns of the severe consequences of these distractions, including plummeted academic performance, emotional trauma, family and caste conflicts, and early marriages. To safeguard the state's future development, he calls on parents, teachers, the government, and the cinema industry to intervene with realistic messaging, vigilance, and comprehensive sex and psychological education.