Friday, August 1, 2008
What a great scientist had to say --
"My passionate sense of social justice and social responsibility has always contrasted oddly with my pronounced lack of need for direct contact with other human beings and human communities. I am truly a lone traveler and have never belonged to my country, my home, my friends, or even my immediate family, with my whole heart; in the face of all these ties, I have never lost a sense of distance and a need for solitude..." - Albert Einstein
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Hindi school or corporation school?
Dressed in formal shirts, trousers and a shining black shoe , Cane in hand, standing near the main entrance, occasionally stroking the cane on a few members of the queue.
This was Pandey Sir of NHS(Boys), Calcutta.
Sunil Pandey was a teacher in National High School (Boys). He taught commerce cum discipline (not a formal subject though). Since this was a boys’ school, maintenance of discipline was considered to be a separate and mammoth task. I am not sure how Mr. Pandey got elevated to the position of discipline teacher. Perhaps he was the pioneer of the subject in the school as there were no other teachers of the same subject.
I remember one incident when I had my only face-to-face interaction with Pandey Sir. We had our chemistry laboratory finished earlier than the expected time. Chemistry ma’m Mrs. Sunita Chandrasekhar told us we that we can go. She actually meant that the lab was over and that we can go out of the lab and stay in library or in classroom. But few of us understood it to be a Go-Home signal. So, we left the class and started to go out, it was around 10-10:30 AM, while the school used to break at 11:10 AM on non-lab days and 11:50 AM on lab days. The guard noticed the swarm leaving the main gate and called us shouting. By then, two of my friends had went around 50 metres and I had almost crossed the gates. We were all called in and asked stay in the big hall in the ground floor and then Pandey Sir was called.
It looked as if Pandey Sir was always in lookout for an opportunity to take discipline classes like this. He asked the two fellows who had crossed the gates why did they leave the school. They responded saying they were told by Sunita Ma’m. But Sunita Ma’m clarified that she didn’t ask us to leave school. Pandey Sir again hovered on all of us. He then asked me why did I leave the school. I replied that since we were told by ma’m and my friends were going, so I also followed. He then looked at my face and asked me if they jump into a well shall I follow them? I couldn’t reply. He then asked me “Coming from a Hindi School or Corporation School? ” I again explained him the reason but surely his 'comment' died down. But this comment weighed heavily on my mind. I didn’t complete my previous schooling either from a Hindi or a corporation school, but was it a crime or a guilt to belong to either ? Corporation schools in India do not maintain disciplines properly. I didn’t mind this incident to be related with them. But, why Hindi ? Pandey Sir’s was the typical attitude of the educated class towards Hindi, the national language of India.
This was Pandey Sir of NHS(Boys), Calcutta.
Sunil Pandey was a teacher in National High School (Boys). He taught commerce cum discipline (not a formal subject though). Since this was a boys’ school, maintenance of discipline was considered to be a separate and mammoth task. I am not sure how Mr. Pandey got elevated to the position of discipline teacher. Perhaps he was the pioneer of the subject in the school as there were no other teachers of the same subject.
I remember one incident when I had my only face-to-face interaction with Pandey Sir. We had our chemistry laboratory finished earlier than the expected time. Chemistry ma’m Mrs. Sunita Chandrasekhar told us we that we can go. She actually meant that the lab was over and that we can go out of the lab and stay in library or in classroom. But few of us understood it to be a Go-Home signal. So, we left the class and started to go out, it was around 10-10:30 AM, while the school used to break at 11:10 AM on non-lab days and 11:50 AM on lab days. The guard noticed the swarm leaving the main gate and called us shouting. By then, two of my friends had went around 50 metres and I had almost crossed the gates. We were all called in and asked stay in the big hall in the ground floor and then Pandey Sir was called.
It looked as if Pandey Sir was always in lookout for an opportunity to take discipline classes like this. He asked the two fellows who had crossed the gates why did they leave the school. They responded saying they were told by Sunita Ma’m. But Sunita Ma’m clarified that she didn’t ask us to leave school. Pandey Sir again hovered on all of us. He then asked me why did I leave the school. I replied that since we were told by ma’m and my friends were going, so I also followed. He then looked at my face and asked me if they jump into a well shall I follow them? I couldn’t reply. He then asked me “Coming from a Hindi School or Corporation School? ” I again explained him the reason but surely his 'comment' died down. But this comment weighed heavily on my mind. I didn’t complete my previous schooling either from a Hindi or a corporation school, but was it a crime or a guilt to belong to either ? Corporation schools in India do not maintain disciplines properly. I didn’t mind this incident to be related with them. But, why Hindi ? Pandey Sir’s was the typical attitude of the educated class towards Hindi, the national language of India.
A letter to CM of Bihar
To,
Shri Nitish Kumar,
Chief Minister,
Government of Bihar,
India
Dear Nitishji,
I have my origins in Muzaffarpur, but because of financial problems my father migrated to Calcutta in 1970. I was brought up for a larger part of my childhood in Calcutta, but I am tied to Bihar as it is my heart and most of my blood relatives are here. Me, my father and almost all Biharis want to return but... [It somewhat depicts the NRIs who want to come but can't.]
I read the progress made by Bihar in the past few years of your rule. Law and order, industries as well education have seen huge boosts. The normal feeling of insecurity has also decreased. But the Law and Order is the most nagging problem, which is withholding the progress of Bihar.
The people of Bihar are most successful outside Bihar and their presence is felt in almost all spheres including Commerce, Engineering, Hi-tech Industries- Computer/Software as well as skilled/unskilled labours. They can be found in almost all the states of India as well as abroad. The educated Biharis have proved themselves best in the work they undertake, which proves that they have a inborn talent coupled with a desire to excel. They are considered to be one of the most hardworking people. I would like to give you some suggestions which I feel may be useful:-
A) Safe Society: “ A society cannot progress if it is living in fear”. First we need to ensure a safe society for the common man. I understand, this is not a day's task, but we need to work to make law and order a part of society, where one need not fear for their life and property. This will ensure people investing in state and tourism getting a huge boost. If Doctors and high earning people continue to be abducted for money, the migration and brain-drain will continue.
B) Green Revolution: As agriculture is the backbone of the agro-based economy of Bihar, we need to make it at par with the current status if not ahead. We may set up co-operative societies and committees which will not only distribute the financial aid to the farmers but also keep an eye on the use of the money to check corruption. Strict steps should be taken against corrupt machineries. Its difficult given the fact that more than 90% officials are corrupt, rest leave Bihar or world.
C) Tourism: Hong Kong is a place having a few tourist places which are not even half as good as their Indian counterparts but are still able to attract more tourists than India. The reason as per me is the insecurity and maintenance. In Rameshwaram the natives have engaged themselves in this industry to a good extent and are pursuing alternative earnhoods as well. Can we maintain our famous heritage sites of Gaya, Nalanda, Rajgir, Vaishali, etc. with a good security and hospitable atmosphere? This will not only improve the economic figures of the state but also will send out a improving/positive image of the state.
D) Basic Education System- Illiteracy is the reason people do not differentiate between good and bad. In my village, there is a school where you can seldom find teachers in either middle or high school. The teacher may be paid more than Rs. 10000, which a private school teacher hardly gets. But you will find a teacher in the private school but in the government school. Once, some members of a family are educated and get dividends of it, more members of the same family follow the path and this leads to a more literate society. We don’t need to build IITs and IIMs, we need school with teachers, where a class-X or XII pass student is worth the certificate.
E) Basic Infrastructure- People don't want much to return you back to the power next time. They only want Bijli, Sadak and a few other basic services. If they don't have roads, even you can't travel them to them. Children cannot devote night times for study properly. My village is only 18 KMs from Muzaffarpur station and still doesn’t have electricity. Irony is that the Kanti Thermal Plant is only a few kilometres from my house.
F) Industrial Development - When I went to a railway reservation office in Chennai, I thought I have come to a private institution by mistake. But indeed, it was the railways office. We follow rules and contribute better in other states but why not our own state? We need an Industrial revolution for making the state self-sufficient and improve the standard of living of the people. We can start with small but popular industries like the electric fan, bulb making, paper crafts, etc. I am sure people will do more work for themselves than they are doing now for others.
G) Bring Back Biharis- Every Bihari in some corner of their heart wants to return. Ask an NRI if he/she wants to return to India, they will have a similar answer. But why aren't they................
I am not sure if you may not read these, but hope you understand the plight of Biharis and help us develop into an average state if not the best in India, as it used to be.
Yours Sincerely,
Rajeev Kumar Shahi
Current:
2C, Block-1, Site-2, Whampoa Gardens, HungHom, Kowloon, Hong Kong
Permanent:
Vill+PO- Barkagaon Dist- Muzaffarpur, Bihar, India
AND
2/3/23, Saradamonipark, Bansdroni, Kolkata - 700070.
Shri Nitish Kumar,
Chief Minister,
Government of Bihar,
India
Dear Nitishji,
I have my origins in Muzaffarpur, but because of financial problems my father migrated to Calcutta in 1970. I was brought up for a larger part of my childhood in Calcutta, but I am tied to Bihar as it is my heart and most of my blood relatives are here. Me, my father and almost all Biharis want to return but... [It somewhat depicts the NRIs who want to come but can't.]
I read the progress made by Bihar in the past few years of your rule. Law and order, industries as well education have seen huge boosts. The normal feeling of insecurity has also decreased. But the Law and Order is the most nagging problem, which is withholding the progress of Bihar.
The people of Bihar are most successful outside Bihar and their presence is felt in almost all spheres including Commerce, Engineering, Hi-tech Industries- Computer/Software as well as skilled/unskilled labours. They can be found in almost all the states of India as well as abroad. The educated Biharis have proved themselves best in the work they undertake, which proves that they have a inborn talent coupled with a desire to excel. They are considered to be one of the most hardworking people. I would like to give you some suggestions which I feel may be useful:-
A) Safe Society: “ A society cannot progress if it is living in fear”. First we need to ensure a safe society for the common man. I understand, this is not a day's task, but we need to work to make law and order a part of society, where one need not fear for their life and property. This will ensure people investing in state and tourism getting a huge boost. If Doctors and high earning people continue to be abducted for money, the migration and brain-drain will continue.
B) Green Revolution: As agriculture is the backbone of the agro-based economy of Bihar, we need to make it at par with the current status if not ahead. We may set up co-operative societies and committees which will not only distribute the financial aid to the farmers but also keep an eye on the use of the money to check corruption. Strict steps should be taken against corrupt machineries. Its difficult given the fact that more than 90% officials are corrupt, rest leave Bihar or world.
C) Tourism: Hong Kong is a place having a few tourist places which are not even half as good as their Indian counterparts but are still able to attract more tourists than India. The reason as per me is the insecurity and maintenance. In Rameshwaram the natives have engaged themselves in this industry to a good extent and are pursuing alternative earnhoods as well. Can we maintain our famous heritage sites of Gaya, Nalanda, Rajgir, Vaishali, etc. with a good security and hospitable atmosphere? This will not only improve the economic figures of the state but also will send out a improving/positive image of the state.
D) Basic Education System- Illiteracy is the reason people do not differentiate between good and bad. In my village, there is a school where you can seldom find teachers in either middle or high school. The teacher may be paid more than Rs. 10000, which a private school teacher hardly gets. But you will find a teacher in the private school but in the government school. Once, some members of a family are educated and get dividends of it, more members of the same family follow the path and this leads to a more literate society. We don’t need to build IITs and IIMs, we need school with teachers, where a class-X or XII pass student is worth the certificate.
E) Basic Infrastructure- People don't want much to return you back to the power next time. They only want Bijli, Sadak and a few other basic services. If they don't have roads, even you can't travel them to them. Children cannot devote night times for study properly. My village is only 18 KMs from Muzaffarpur station and still doesn’t have electricity. Irony is that the Kanti Thermal Plant is only a few kilometres from my house.
F) Industrial Development - When I went to a railway reservation office in Chennai, I thought I have come to a private institution by mistake. But indeed, it was the railways office. We follow rules and contribute better in other states but why not our own state? We need an Industrial revolution for making the state self-sufficient and improve the standard of living of the people. We can start with small but popular industries like the electric fan, bulb making, paper crafts, etc. I am sure people will do more work for themselves than they are doing now for others.
G) Bring Back Biharis- Every Bihari in some corner of their heart wants to return. Ask an NRI if he/she wants to return to India, they will have a similar answer. But why aren't they................
I am not sure if you may not read these, but hope you understand the plight of Biharis and help us develop into an average state if not the best in India, as it used to be.
Yours Sincerely,
Rajeev Kumar Shahi
Current:
2C, Block-1, Site-2, Whampoa Gardens, HungHom, Kowloon, Hong Kong
Permanent:
Vill+PO- Barkagaon Dist- Muzaffarpur, Bihar, India
AND
2/3/23, Saradamonipark, Bansdroni, Kolkata - 700070.
Twins
Today, I was late by a few seconds, maybe 10 and missed my company shuttle bus. While traveling, as I was sitting in the bus and waiting in a red signal, I saw a girl being dragged by her mother. She was looking like an old lady, a school bag on her back, being forcefully asked to match her mother’s steps. Suddenly, I noticed she was not alone and there was another girl in the other hand of the mother. They were twins. Wearing identical checked pink-white school uniforms and marching under the same major (mother). For a moment, I started wondering how come the mother identifies them till they started speaking? Lets assume one was named Miss Buty and the other Miss Cuty. Was there any way to distinguish between them until they gained consciousness?
Some suggestions could be a band having their names printed or some other means like physical identification marks. But a band is very difficult to maintain in a house, especially when the babies are more interested in tearing and deforming any physical objects given to them. I remember a baby when given a pen was blue mouthed after just few moments. Of course, the color of the ink was blue.
Suddenly, it came to me that till they gained consciousness, does it matter much whose name is what? We grown-ups do care, but Children do not. The signal was green and the bus moved on.
Some suggestions could be a band having their names printed or some other means like physical identification marks. But a band is very difficult to maintain in a house, especially when the babies are more interested in tearing and deforming any physical objects given to them. I remember a baby when given a pen was blue mouthed after just few moments. Of course, the color of the ink was blue.
Suddenly, it came to me that till they gained consciousness, does it matter much whose name is what? We grown-ups do care, but Children do not. The signal was green and the bus moved on.
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