Give me some sunshine !

This year Amir Khan featured in a wonderful movie ‘ 3 idiots’. People of all age group enjoyed it and it became a super-duper hit film. The movie gives a meaningful message and rightly comments on the weaknesses of the present education system. Some incidences in the movie show that learning and understanding is much more important than simply joining the rat-race and gaining degrees. Teachers expect students to learn and write stereotype answers, than creative writing and thereby snub the child’s creativity and imagination. There is very little scope to check the child’s actual understanding of the concept. He may have many degrees but when it comes to real life problems the so called meritorious child fails to apply his knowledge. So it has to be application oriented teaching and learning then and then only the child will learn something in the real sense of learning. Child will be able to face the difficulties that come across his way, because the child will have that ability & capacity to accept those challenges than giving it up. The film also forced us to see and understand the pressure, tension put upon these small blooming buds given by their parents, relatives, teachers, peer group, society etc. The percentage of suicides in school and college students is more in Maharashtra than in any other state. These all were the victims of unbearable tension, put on them at such a tender age of playing and having fun. That too in a state where the seeds of education were sown by social reformers like Mahatma Jyotiba Phule, Savitribai Phule, Dhondo Keshav Karve etc. What dreams they must have seen and what is the present situation in 2010 ? It’s really pathetic to see all such unwanted happenings in our so called educated , cultured society. It’s really a high time for all of us to give a thought on this and extend a hand of help to those kids who really need our help to stand, to walk on the path they choose. Let us give them the required freedom and make them understand their responsibilities, and then see them progressing by shouldering these responsibilities given. Children and college going students have tremendous energy. If they get proper guidance at the time they need, they will really come out with wonders & make us feel proud about them. It is for us teachers & parents to think about them and not to burden them with our expectations. No doubt we have our own dreams but ultimately it is the child’s capacity and his willingness which are more important than any other aspect. Let us be the supporters than the hurdles in their way, their dreams.
We are living in the modern age of IT. We will be fulfilling the dream of our Ex-President Dr. Abdul Kalam to see India as Super Power in 2020. It is so paradoxical to see that when we are trying to be the most developed country in the world, at the same time our young generation is becoming weak psychologically. Why it so happens ? Why can’t they digest a simple failure? Why do they not have enough patience to bear little pain, to accept few denials, to digest some ‘no’s, to face the difficulties? Are we elders not responsible for this? Henceforth at least we have to make them emotionally strong so that they will not shake when they see problems. Let them learn to take their decisions, let them enjoy each colour of life and make a colourful sketch for themselves. Let us not forget that they have their own likes and dislikes. Children definitely learn from their mistakes and become matured. They are smart, wise, what they need is the family support. If they get it, they will never think of adopting unwanted means to achieve their target or ending their lives abruptly leaving behind their relatives in deep sorrow.
Children, learn to see the positive side of each happening in your life. Black clouds do come but we have to see the silver lining around them. Remember, the sun is going to shine again!

Manjiri Ranade
HOD - Dept. of English