Excuse Me Teacher... I want to say something...(part 2)

Mochi always wants to speak out something or the other. He either likes to ask questions to the teacher or whenever teacher ignores his questions, he is busy chatting with other friends through words and gestures. He is one who uses all forms of communication.. :)

Teacher started her class - "Today we are going to learn about..... Mochi, are you listening?"

"Today we are going to learn about.. Mochi, stop looking here and there."

"Today we are going to see... Mochi can you shut up!"

One more he is going to be out for sure. I wonder why can't my teacher stop talking for the whole class and ask us all to share our thoughts and views. I pity her. She has to speak almost the whole day. So isn't it sensible to allow us to explain what we have learnt, make us think on different concepts. The other day teacher was going on and on about plants and its parts. Mochi turned around to me and said - "I know all this! Shall I ask her if I can explain this!"
I wish he could do that. So I was motivating him to suggest this idea to the teacher.

"MOCHI! are you listening?"
"Yes mam. I was thinking if I could explain this concept to the class. I know this mam."
"GET OUT"

Poor guy the suggestion only landed him outside the classroom but, I guess he had a good time observing the outdoors. In fact after the class he came to me and shared what all he observed. he was talking about the ants going in line, he was talking about the vehicle sounds and so on.

I was happy he had some real learning without sitting in the class! Let me wind up. I need to study the different parts of the plant. I have a test tomorrow.

So far...

Excuse Me Teacher... I want to say something...

Our Mathematics class was just getting over. It was time for a quick test. My mathematics teacher,Murugan, said "Here is your problem." pointing towards the board. "Now do it without using tables." And immediately Mochi, my friend, who is known for his funny actions and comments in class, immediately jumped out of his place and went straight in front of the class and sat on the floor. Murugan sir immediately asked "Why did you come here?" And I still don't believe Mochi had the guts to say what he said - "Sir, You only said not to use the tables!"
And that's it, the whole class was laughing out loud. Bell Rang at the very same time. And Murugan sir just walked out with astern face. Mochi came back to his place rolling in laughter.
We didn't have much time to laugh, because our EVS teacher was already in. She is always known for her punctuality. And the routine was to take out the textbook and start reading the lesson. Teacher would ask few questions and then proceed with questions and answers. The lesson today was about Festivals. Wow! I was glad. I had already gone through the textbook, and I was so thrilled there were so many interesting things in there! So I was hoping my EVS teacher would probably break out of the routine and at least have some nice activities or discussions in class.
And the teacher asked us to open up the text and read it aloud one by one. At one point, there was a question - "What sweets do you have in your house during festivals?" I remembered last time when we had Diwali at house, mom had made beautiful Jalebi's. They were so delicious. Mochi was already remembering his Laddus and acting out as if he was eating those laddus. He was making an eye contact with Smitha who sits in the next row and was asking her if she wants those Laddus! And Smitha just turned her face away from him! :)
I saw glow in most of my friends as they were all ready to share what they wanted to say.. Teacher then saw her watch and then she said - "We all eat Kheer in our house right during festivals?" And I could see some of my friends agreeing with her reluctantly. I did not understand what Kheer was! So I did not show any reaction. Mochi was putting his tongue out in disgust and holding his neck with his both hands as if strangling himself, as soon as he heard the word kheer!
And the teacher said - All of you write 'Kheer' in the blank space provided!
I wanted to say something to my teacher - but I did not have the guts to say it. So, I opened my personal diary and wrote this out
"Excuse me teacher.. I don't know what kheer is! I shall anyway go home and find out from my parents. You asked us what sweets we eat during festivals. I wanted to share with you that my mom makes delicious Jalebis. She is so skillful in making them. My grand-mom also makes a dish called Modaka. I like to eat both of them. And Mochi wanted to say that they make Laddus in their house. I wish you had enough time to listen to us. I don't know why suddenly bell rings and you go out and another teacher comes in. She again tries to speak with us, but then again the bell rings and she goes off. Last class you even asked us to do some research on festivals. My grand-mom has given me so many points. I want to share with you. But wish in your next class the bell doesn't ring and you do not look into your watch because I want to say something to you and even Mochi has something to say. Thank you."

Dealing with Social problems - The Chanakya way

Once Chanakya and chandra Gupta Mourya were taking a round around their kingdom. Chanakya stepped on a thorn.. He immediately removed it from his foot and threw it aside. Then, plucked the thorn plant out and threw it aside. They both continued their path...
The next day both of them were back on the same path. But this time Chanakya got a pot of milk with honey mixed in it. He reached the same spot where the thorn plant existed. He emptied his pot of milk in that exact spot. Chandra Gupta was very surprised. He asked "Chanakyaji, may I know the reason behind pouring that pot of milk in that place?"

Chanakya said -'Chandra Gupta, you remember yesterday there was a thorn plant over there and I had plucked it out. Thorn is a problem... When I removed the plant I had addressed the problem to some extent. But, there is more chance for the plant to grow back in that same place in a weeks time and again harm any other people who pass by this way. When I pour the milk mixed with honey, the root remains of the plant would observe the milk. And this would attract ants and insects and they would finish off the remaining root parts completely. A leader has to operate not just in the effect level but he has to also operate in the cause level. He has to go to analyze the root cause of any problem and try to eradicate the cause and not just the effect."

Most of the social problems ultimately drill down to education as the cause.. abandoned children, abandoned elders, female infanticides, etc. are basically because of lack of 'right' education. And by education I do not mean the education system that is prevalent widely right now in our country. By education I mean the right knowledge, skill and attitude imparted to an individual to help him lead a peaceful life. An education that not just raises the standard of living but also the standar of life of people.

By setting up orphonages, old age homes, etc we are majorly addressing the effect... And if we ignore to address the cause, i.e. 'right education' ... well... any logical mind can guess what would happen..

Please do not mistake me.. We definitely need people to operate in the effect level. I am not criticizing that.. but over here I would request people to also give more importance to address the issues in the cause level.. Put your efforts to clean up the mess in education.. Voice out your concerns.. participate in building better educational instituitions..

Even a child knows what has to be better in school or what has to be changed in education.. But unless parents wake up to the 'right' education required, the system will not change...

Anybody can pick a paper lying down and throw it in the dustbin.. But it needs a lot of effort to go and educate thousands to throw the waste in the dustbin...!

Educating takes time.. but it is long term..

Let's not just be missionaries.. But let's also be visionaries...

Excuse me...

In the coming few blogs I am going to share some excerpts from the book 'What do you really want for your children?' by Wayne W. Dyer

I am choosing this below excerpt because it deals with what we are exactly talking about -'How to let the child blossom' and not inhibit...

Typical child and parent behaviours which INHIBIT inner development. 


punishing children for telling the truth, thereby making lying and blaming much more sensible alternatives, in their eyes for the future.

Being a person who uses excuses and blames others. "I never got anywhere in life because of - my spouse, my parents, the economy, or whatever."

Using "Its not my fault" as a regular part of your vocabulary.

Using pills and medicines for all sorts of pains and troubles, and encouraging your children to believe that pills will make them better.
(I especially liked the above point. That's something I too believe in strongly.)

Doing their homework for them because it is too hard for them to tackle.

Putting the major emphasis in life on being right. Encouraging aging children to never admit to being wrong by never ding so yourself.

(What a point! :) When I joined EZ Vidya I had a major block on whether what i am doing is right or wrong. And I would be surprised that the organization believes that 'its ok to be wrong!'. When I go and train teachers, I can see the same block even with the teachers. And they would be surprised that in our sessions we would emphasis that mistakes are part of learning and its ok to be stupid!')


Being concerned with impressing others in your dress, purchases and lifestyles.
(So true. In fact while I was teaching the higher secondary students for couple of years, I have observed that all that they are proud of is the latest gadgets they posses, the 'in thing' vocabulary they use, etc. And as part of my teaching I would stress a lot on 'Its not important as to what you have outside. but its more important as to what you have inside your head')

Demanding that they respect you and parenting out of fear.
(I am loving this... Its really true that most of us think, even unconsciously or subconsciously, that by instilling fear, people would listen to what I say and also that there is a lot of respect that i earn. But a little pause and a sensible thinking is all that is needed to understand that the respect that is earned through fear is not really going to help. In the last training that I had in one school I was having an interesting chat with one of the higher secondary teacher. She was complaining that few children were not learning well in her class. And the only question I asked her was 'Do you smile at those students? Do they like you?' Its not possible that we always scream at someone and expect them to well behave and learn well in our class when we are conveying the message that 'I care a damn about you. Better do what I say.' For any person who wants to be a sensible leader, this is a very key point.)

Making grades more important that knowledge...

Well, i am going to stop here. Let's internalize these points for now. I shall continue with other points in my next blog...

Chalta Hei....

"It is just this small paper.. How does it matter if I don't put it in the dust bin. Let me throw it here itself. Chalta hei..."


"How does it matter if I pay an agent just 200 extra to get me a confirmed ticket during holidays! Chalta hei."


"How does it matter if I don't vote!"

"How does it matter if I jump the signal. any way police is not around. Chalta Hei."


It did  cost us a lot when we allowed the EAST India Company to establish itself and rule us comfortably for over 300 years! And it solely happened because of this Chalta hei attitude!


Even the other day I noticed a hand pop out of a car window and throw a fruit drink can right in the middle of the road!

It doesn't matter much if an uneducated guy does that. At least we have a reason he is 'uneducated'! But why do we as educated adults make these 'chalta hei' mistakes!

Take a look at the list above once again and let's reflect how much of those we have done or we continue to do! Though they seem seemingly small, it really magnifies in many forms at different levels.


It is this chalta hei attitude that cost the nation.. that has cost many lives.. and would come on us heavy if we don't realize its effect right now...

If you are worried about the corruption of CWG, 2G spectrum, Adarsh, etc. be more worried about such seemingly trivial behaviours by the common man which includes us...

it is important we don't fall under the chalta hei attitude and also wake up people around from such a thoughtless attitude...

It is also important that you leave a comment for this post... 'Don't think 'How does it matter if I do not comment!' It does really matter dear Gentlemen and women... :)

What do you do!

"What do you do?"
" I work in an organization that is working in the education sector. We have a curriculum. We train teachers. We come up with lot of interesting and innovative teaching methodologies to make learning engaging and effective."
" Oh so you are a teacher"
" No. No. I kind of teach the teachers."
" Oh"

I have kind of explained what I do in as many ways as possible to my relatives, but ultimately the maximum that they can understand is that I am a personality development guy!

On a casual chat with other colleagues of mine, they too shared the same pangs..

Not to blame anyone, but the field of training, education consulting, etc. is so new in India that there are many people who are yet to recognize it as a respectable way of employment!

My mom still thinks I am kind of doing some social service. :)
Not just in the education field but in many other field, many new and varied courses have come in. Honestly I was not aware that such a stream of work exists when I finished my +2. Even now I am sure many youngsters in our country are not aware of the varied opportunities available in this 21st Century.


And isn't it true that we are actually preparing our students to the future and not just for the present! With the kind of technological advancements happening at lightning speed across the globe we need to surely expect drastically new and different kinds of job profiles that would be awaiting this generation of learners.

Having understood this, it is important as educationists and parents to allow the child to explore and innovate different opportunities.

And so, there is somebody waiting at my door to understand what I do.. Let me try my best now..
                                                                                                            (courtesy: http://www.toothpastefordinner.com)
Let the child blossom to face the future and not just the present!

Wish you a happy green and clean Diwali...

Education is one concept that is most commonly associated with lamp / light.

There is many significance associated with light...
- It symbolizes the beginning of knowledge
- It represents knowledge
- It represents prosperity, and more.


And this Diwali (Deepavali - array of lights) lets ignite that light of knowledge in us and celebrate the death of Ravana(negative tendencies) and the coming back of Rama (Positive tendencies) within each of us.
Let us educate our children behind the significance of this idea behind the festival...

Some tips tomake this Diwali green and clean:

-Make sure you clean up the place after bursting crackers
- Please do not chock the drainage with the cracker covers and boxes...
- Let's celebrate the Diwali to the fullest by bursting crackers till we are exhausted... But let us also adopt few plants and nurture them post diwali to balance the act of pollution.. :)

- Dot stick to Television movies and celebrity interviews... There are many people to listen to them... But only you are there to listen to your family... :)
- festivals are the best time to spread the message of love and sharing... So share your joy and gifts with your near and dear ones...


Wish you all a green and clean Deepavali... have a blasting festival...

You are intelligent...

I was in one of the well known private school a year back for a 2 day training for students on my favourite topic 'Thought blocks'. As I was conducting the session I asked the students to close their eyes and raise their hands IF THEY THINK THEY ARE INTELLIGENT.

There were around 300 kids from various schools between the age group 15 to 18 and I was surprised when only 20 to 30 kids raised their hands!

That means only 20 to 30 kids even think they are intelligent! what about the rest?
This became the point of my study for the rest of the sessions to follow. I raised this same question to many students and even personally to many students and what I observed was stunning!

Majority of the students felt they are not intelligent!

What an irony! Kids go to school to become intelligent and here is a situation or rather a crisis where majority don't even consider themselves as intelligent!


Why this situation! And is it at all important to make every child feel he/she is an intelligent person!

I don't know the answer. But according to my logic may be it is because as parents and teachers, after a certain age, we only point out the mistakes of a child than highlighting the good things that they do!

I have had incidences where few of the parents walk up to me and get overtly worried about their kids. I just ask them to tell few good things about their son/daughter and they take a long pause before saying the good things! They have to think so much for that!


what is more important than making a person feel good, feel intelligent, feel great! Yes... everybody has weaknesses and everybody does mistakes... Lets try to highlight the best and leave the rest...

A child deserves to feel intelligent.. That's the real human rights!

LET THE CHILD BLOSSOM!

Come to our school please...

Chat with a 4th standard student...

She - "Hi. Can I see your cell phone."
Me - "Sure. Here. Take it."
She - "What pictures are there?"

And I showed her a few pictures and then there was this Teacher's day pictures where in children have written why they like their teachers. So she stared reading what is written in there. And then she turned and asked me - "What do you do?"
I said -"I take class for teachers."
She - "Teachers! What do you take for them"

 So I asked her - "which teacher do you like and why?"

She said -"I like my math teacher, because she doesn't beat anybody. I also like my English teacher because she is very beautiful."

So I told her - "This is what I teach teachers. How to take class without beating." (Obviously I can't tell her all the stuff that I do. She wont understand.)

and then I could see a smile in her face and she said - "Will you also come to my school?"

I just smiled.


The other day I saw in a school a teacher twisting the hand of a student and pressing an other boys ears hard with both his hands!
---------------

Is it so difficult to discipline children without beating?

Is it so difficult to bring about a change in children using love?

I have been a teacher too and I absolutely feel it is the inability of the teacher to handle kids without getting  beating. It is their weakness. What is your take?

My dear teacher... i like you because...

Courtesy: EZ Vidya's signature campaign on teacher's day across Chennai schools...

Who was your favourite teacher and why you liked him/her?

What do you really want for your children?

I was fortunate to get a hand on Wayne Dyer's book 'What do you really want for your children?'. I have seen many parents worried about their child's behaviour. "He is not able to decide something on his own. But his younger sister is very clear what she wants!" "He is not mingling with relatives." "He is not having many friends." "He sits in front of the TV for a long time." and so on... One very important exercise we need to do is to list "What we really want for our children?" Once we are clear what we want to build in our children the next step is to work towards it, to devote time to help your child to think on those lines.

Suppose you think that you want your child to take 'informed decisions' then look for the opportunities to trigger the thinking.
"Mom! I want an ice creame!"
instead of you saying "No. No. Not at this time!" ask
"remember what happened last time when you had ice cream at night?"
"No!"
"remember you got a soar throat and then cold. and then we had to give you medicine! You still want to eat ice cream now or you think we can have it in the morning!"
"Hmmm... "
(I don't know what a child would decide. But At least we are making the child to think on the effect of a decision and then make the choice. :)

The book was a very interesting and thought provoking one! If you come across one, please send me a copy too... :)

LET THE CHILD BLOSSOM

The hurried kids

Lights on. It was interval time in the theater. A kid who was sitting beside me started asking her mom - 'Why they are putting the light?' 'why only few people are going?' 'why we are not going?'

Kids always are full with questions. They are in this world trying to understand what is happening around them. after a ten month darkness the child is out in the light suddenly. It is out from a world of stillness to a fast paced world. it is out from a place where it could only hear her mother's voice to a world where technology speaks more than humans!

It is a feeling that we have gone through and forgotten. But it is important we try to empathize with the child and what it is thinking and why it is thinking. A child learns the most from the age 1 to 6. And what is learnt within this age probably remains with the child for a long time. And as parents and teachers we need to AWARE of the impressions, the thought process that we are going to leave behind in our children.

few principles that we need to keep in mind is -
1. Kids are not miniature adults:
They will run around in the restaurant. They cant sit in one place when guests are home. They WILL be 'naughty'. they will shout. They will break things. Kids are kids. we need to accept that.

2. Every child is not the same.

My 2nd child need not develop all the cognitive and socio-emotional skills that my first kid developed at a particular age. The learning pace is different for every individual. we need to be patient and allow the child to progress at its own pace. we need to wait for the flower to blossom. It is a crime if we force the flower to blossom at our pace!


there is no point in hurrying the kids in their cognitive and emotional abilities. We would probably end up damaging more to the kid. How sensitive are the nursery and kindergarten schools in our country to the child's learning. are they caught in a race to show that they prepare the kids faster than other kindergarten schools around. is it the fault of the parents to HURRY their kids to adults! The moment a child goes to school the parents expect the child to master the art of writing the alphabets from A_Z! If it is not happening they question the schools and the schools not aware of the child learning theories are left without reasons to convince the parents or educate the parents.

when a child asks us a question we are busy enough to just TELL the answer rather than taking the child through a thought process to help the child discover the answer. We feed the child rather than teaching the child to fish!

The other day I remember a kid said looking at the speedometer - 'Look. A clock' it is easy to say it is not a clock and it is a speedometer and go ahead with your other work. but it is important to lead the child to observe, list the differences between a clock and this device and then let out the name to the child. This helps the child to build a thought process rather than memorizing an other gadget's name!

 NO HURRY. :) what  is important is to teach the child to fish. stop feeding.. :) Let the child blossom.

There was 'hachal machal' in the house. Today was a big day for Rahul... Its D day of interview. Rahul's parents are running in all directions to help out Rahul to do well in the interview. Time ticks 8 and the whole family leaves the house. Rahul's parents are thrilled more than Rahul, because it is their dream organization. All their friends' and relatives' daughters and sons are part of this great organization. They forsee a great future for rahul if he is part of this org.

They arrive at the venue. Lot of other parents and candidates are waiting at the lounge. It is Rahul's turn now. He is been called inside. There is a panel of 3 members sitting at the desk. they fire question one by one. They smile for some answers. They seem to be dejected for a few other as if Rahul has wasted all his life by not knowing answers for such questions.30 minutes later he is out from the room. Parents eagerly run to him... He seems shaken. Rahul's parents are now called inside.

The interviewer says - 'Rahul is ok. He doesn't seem to know most of the things. You should have prepared him a bit more. But nevertheless  we will put him in waiting list. we will send you an intimation by next week.'

Dejected parents come out of the room. Rahul doesn't seem to be dejected. He is just happy as usual with his Jetix dolls and lolly pop. After all he is just 30 months old in this world.

As the family return to their house in their car they see an advertisement - 'Pre-KG admissions open. Hurry. Limited seats'

let the child blossom.

Where is the child in me!

'Catching insects'
'Climbing trees'
'Counting steps'
'Collecting stamps'
'Collecting coins'
'Colouring'
'Making insect boxes'
'Rolling stones on the road'
'Making paper boats during rain

The list goes on! Who doesn't wants to go back in time and cherish the childhood memories. :)

Where is that child in me! Where is that curiosity! Where is that happy mood! where are those innocent questions!
Are they dead or are they all just hiding deep in me!
Are they gone forever or are they just lying low!

most of us at lest at one point or the other think with a sigh "wish I remained as a kid!" :) - No worries, no responsibilities, no rules of adult world!


Do you have the child still alive in you - who is inquisitive to learn new things, who is quick in forgetting small fights, who smiles with innocence, who enjoys being in his world!

Let the child blossom in me and in you!

Need for Jambavans!

It may be an over hype by the media or it may be a reality. I cannot conclude sitting 2500 kms away -  I am talking about the Common wealth games scam. one thing I would like to divert our attention to is the capability of Indians to plan out our work and work out our plans! 'Loot. But at least finish the work in class!' is what I want to say to Kalmadi!

Touch your heart and say how many times you would have started preparing for your exams only a week before! touch your heart and say how early you get ready to go to your office! touch your heart and say how many times,  how many things you would have forgotten to take to a trip!

Many of us even think that our best comes out only when we work at the 11th hour. The creative tension is what gives us a 'kick'!

whereas one thing that I admire about the west is their ability to plan! whether they execute or whether the things go as per the plan is secondary. But the way they meticulously plan is what we need to appreciate. I also sometimes wonder is it because of this organized culture that they had that made Indians admire them when the British stepped into India. And whether it was this ability that made us a slave to them.

The magnificent buildings in Marina beach, the mount road, the central station buildings, the Rippon buildings! If you actually think there was no need at that point of time for the Britishers to build such huge roads and buildings. But thank god they had built it that way. Or else imagine the chaos! 

Are we Indians very short sighted! are we really lacking the skill to plan! Should the schools start preparing students to analyze, plan from long term perspective, visualize and look beyond!

Ask a teacher what she is doing and majority of the teachers may just say "I teach!". Aren't the teachers the nation builders! Aren't teachers the creators of a generation! aren't teachers the architects of  the future! Unless we wake up this fact to the large teacher community, who are just like 'Hanuman' who forgot all his strengths , we are going to continue to produce short sighted, self centered and unorganized  generations after generations!

We need 'Jambavans' to come and wake up the thousands of ignorant 'Hanumans'. Once they wake up no body can stop them! :)

Jai Hind!

INTENTION

How do we help children develop good intentions and get out of their tensions?

Even a 3 year old kid today uses the word tension so naturally. "Mom, don't disturb me. I am in tension." Children pick up the lingo quite quickly from the people around. They start imitating the elders around. We all know this. All of us, at least most of us, definitely would have played the role of a teacher or mom or dad when we were young. :)

In recent times I have seen many children picking up some of the lingoes used by comedians in films. Those in Tamil Nadu would understand this better - the dialogues of Vadivelu and Vivek like 'vanduttaanya vanduttaanya!" 'risk ellam engalukku rusk sapdaramaadiri!' have become so common with the kids here. Its because the elders use it commonly and also television channels keep playing these over and over.

and so it is important for us as elders to be 'CONSCIOUS' of what world we are creating for the children and in the children.

I have especially highlighted the word CONSCIOUS because it is sad to note that many of us are not even 'aware' what impressions we are creating in children using our language and actions!

The other day I was walking through a street and I saw a man kicking a 2 year old boy. So naturally the kid is going to imitate the man!

I truly believe that children have to be exposed to good intentions. They need to experience noble intentions. take some time and ponder upon this term 'intention'. Behind every good man, behind every successful action, behind every smiling face, behind every true friend, behind every true mother what is there is this INTENTION. any action in itself is not good or bad, it is the intention that makes it good or bad. Do you agree? Think!

And these intentions are very powerful. It can change the course of any individual and even a nation! If the intention of a CEO is to make 100 Billion dollars then only money matters! If the intention of a politician is to get the minister birth, then his actions are driven by that.

So a question for all parents - What is your intention behind your child's growth? Is it that he has to take care of you when you are old? Is it that he has to be an engineer and get you good name? is it that he has to be the first always? Or is it 'LET THE CHILD BLOSSOM'?

I am leaving the blog with lot of loose ends. I have not connected all dots. It is because I have an intention behind writing this blog.

'THE world' vs 'MY world'

I saw a very interesting presentation by Devdutt Pattnaik in TED (East vs west - The Myths that mystify). He spoke on the basic cultural difference between East and west and as a result the difference in the business structure between these paradigms.

One point that really set me thinking was the way he connected the story of Ganesha and Karthikeya going around the world to get the divine fruit. while Karthikeya set out in his peacock to go around the Earth for 3 times, Ganesha just went around his parents thrice and got the divine fruit. :)

karthikeya went around 'THE WORLD' but Ganesh went around 'HIS WORLD' !!! Think!
and this is what I would call as making a 'WORLD of difference' :) Thanks to Devdutt

While most of the parents are more concerned about alighning the child to THE World, they hardly dive into the 'MY World' of a child and get to know his dreams, aspirations, values, etc, etc.

I came across the mission statement of a 'so called' good school, it read something like- ' To prepare students to fit into the society...'

lets zoom into the word 'fitting'. is fitting the students into the society the goal of a school. Then are we not completely ignoring the 'My world'of the child and only 'Moulding' them to FIT into 'THE WORLD'!

Lot of educationists also proudly claim that they 'MOULD' the children. I can only remember a potter moulding a pot! Imagine the state of the child whom every teacher is trying to 'mould' according to 'THE World' of the teacher / parent.

'Do like this. Don't do like that!'
'DO MBA. That is the 'in' thing now.'

Look around people who made a mark in the history. They are the ones who d
ared to live by 'Their World' and not 'THE world'. While the world belived that EARTH was flat one person stood by 'HIS world'. It took almost centuries to really understand his world.

While the whole world was going towards violence, one person stood by 'HIS WORLD of non-violence' and proved to the world the power of non-violence.

There are many ways to interpret the concept of 'MY world and THE world'. lets think about it.

Lets start listening to the child's world. Lets start understanding the child's world. lets start nurturing the child's world.

Lets 'LET THE CHILD BLOSSOM'

MBA / NBA ('Namesake' Business Administration)

"What is your name?"
"Me Parthasarathy"
"So you have done your MBA in HR."
"Yes"
"Please tell something about you."
and then followed a conversation that ended up strengthening my fear that a 'Namesake degree holdres' in our country is growing in number.

I really pity those youngsters who are swayed by the mob and end up fooling themselves by getting some degrees for name sake. My conversation with this guy really left me worried on the way degrees have been given so loosely. An MBA graduate who cannot speak English. A Hindi graduate who cannot speak Hindi. An engineering student who cannot engineer on his own! These are just a few. Look around the number is enormous.

I was referring to the article in ToI the other day on lack of employability skills in Indian graduates. The statistics clearly says that a huge problem is awaiting Indian graduates who would be left behind due to lack of these employability skills.

I believe the problem again boils down to lack of inspiring teachers who can model, aspire, dream, think, motivate and really inspire students to think beyond and explore the innumerable possibilities, opportunities and follow their dream.

A university rank holder and a gold medalist (Don't ask me how many students did the course along with me.. :p) I had all the time in the world during my college time, still, looking back, I feel I could have learnt much more if at all I was awakened to the 'awe'  of learning, pushed to think beyond, challenged to explore...
I feel I wasted my time and just got some degree for name sake. I too was one of the 'namesake' degree holders.

And I didn't want to continue being like that. I applied in many colleges and seeing the course material and quality of questions and assessment I feared I would again land up getting a NSD(Namesake degree) and dropped out of my masters several times.

I was eagerly waiting to see my first semester results in MBA education management from a reputed distance education college. I know how much time I had spent preparing for the exams - Hardly 2 hours for each paper! The results were out and I couldn't believe myself. I passed the semester with 56% marks!

Now, I could have continued my studies and could have easily got a degree and proudly say that I am an MBA graduate. But my conscience wouldn't let me do that. I didn't want to  be a NSD. I didn't want to learn some random stuff which were mostly recall type and score marks and get job!

 And what use is the mark if I don't know where I lost the rest of the marks! Of what use is the mark going to be if I do not know what strengths in me got me the 56% score! And what use is it for the company that is going to employ me by seeing my marks! What insights is this so called MBA degree going to throw open to them about me!

I would rather wait for the day when the universities in the country would offer a more constructive and higher order curriculum than wasting my money in acquiring a NSD and following the mob.

I was really feeling proud for those boys out there who made the smallest satellite and set it in the orbit. Youngsters must draw inspiration from them and learn to learn.

Hats off to those young boys who made the country and their family proud. Sure, they are not the NSD holder's who would be a burden to the country and for themselves.

LET THE CHILD BLOSSOM

?DIPUTS os yhw

When was the last time I did something new?

When was the last time I thought about my thinking?

When was the last time I really did some 'THINKING'?

When I first heard this question – 'when did you think last?' I said, of course I am thinking 24x7. What a stupid question this is! And then I REALLY started to THINK!

 

Am I really thinking or am I just……. 'Rethinking' ?

Am I really thinking or am I just……. 'recollecting'?

Am I really thinking or am I just……. 'remembering' ?

 

Am 'I' really thinking?

Am I 'really' thinking?

Am I really 'thinking'?

 

(Man! I am proud of myself, for, I remember my English lesson on 'stress'J This was one lesson I really enjoyed. How the meaning of the same sentence changes depending on the stress on a particular word! )

Edward De Bono in his book 'Why so stupid' claims that human race has never really learned to think! What an audacious statement!

'We brush, we eat, we think!' is what he says. We are not really thinking. We are just browsing our memory and doing what is being stored in there. We are most of the time remembering and recollecting than really thinking.

Thinking about 'thinking' is a PhD by itself. There is so much to think, evaluate, analyze, debate and conclude.

But it would be a valuable exercise to start thinking about these questions.

Let's begin our first step towards thinking and do this simple exercise.

1. List down 6 random words and form a story. Give the same 6 random words to few other people and see what story they form. Share over here, whether they were similar stories or were they completely different. Do it with elders and do it with children as well.
   

It's an interesting exercise right! Share your experience. We would then discuss further.

 

LET THE CHILD BLOSSOM!