Children should be taught to kiss hands

JAKARTA (JP): Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare Azwar Anas says the old practice of greeting elders by kissing the back of their hands should be revived because, he says, the gesture conveys both love and respect at the same time.

"Greeting by kissing the hand is rarely practiced now," Azwar said on Saturday in Samarinda, East Kalimantan, Antara reported.

Parents, teachers and religious instructors should help in making the greeting a habit among young people again, he added.

He was officiating at a "graduation" ceremony for children leaving kindergartens run by the East Kalimantan Forum of Communication for Mosque Youths at Samarinda's main mosque.

Azwar, who is the chairman of the forum, said that it was generally easier to teach children good manners and virtues while they were still at a young age.

"So they should be taught good habits which they will carry into adulthood." he said. "Love is powerful in protecting people against the negative effects of the globalization."

Love of parents and teachers was an important part of leadership, he said. "Our leaders, even many world leaders, are people who love and respect their parents and teachers."

Azwar asked regency heads and governors to try to increase the number of religious instructors in the regions, to ensure the teaching of children from an early age.

"The government sets great store by the development of children's virtues," he said. (anr)