learnings

There was this teacher who complained that her legs ached when she had to stand for a mere half hour while conducting extra curricular activities. Now this comes from a teacher who sits the entire day teaching art to students. The only time she needs to move is during the activity period! What stunned me was how she took the activity as a burden. The students enjoy this session. Should not give us the joy and satisfaction? If teachers do not go the extra mile,how can we expect beter from the students ? In fact this activity period is not even part of the ' extra mile.' As a nation we enjoy shirking duty. We enjoy lazing around during the working hours unless we have a tough task master. We have taken mediocrity for granted. It is inbred and lazy,irresponsible teachers are bringing forth a mediocre future. It is indeed unfortunate that teachers do not know and realise what a Big Responsibility lie in our hands. We can never afford to be average workers! Wake up my b...

There was this teacher who complained that her legs ached when she had to stand for a mere half hour while conducting extra curricular activities. Now this comes from a teacher who sits the entire day teaching art to students. The only time she needs to move is during the activity period! What stunned me was how she took the activity as a burden. The students enjoy this session. Should not that give us the joy and satisfaction? If teachers do not go the extra mile,how can we expect beter from the students ? In fact this activity period is not even part of the ' extra mile.' As a nation we enjoy shirking duty. We enjoy lazing around during the working hours unless we have a tough task master. We have taken mediocrity for granted. It is inbred In us and lazy,irresponsible teachers are bringing forth a mediocre future. It is indeed unfortunate that teachers do not know and realise what a Big Responsibility lie in our hands. We can never afford to be average workers! W...

I wonder who gave the brilliant idea of using the birthdate being the criteria as cut off! All this because too many students have got 100%. So does this mean that they have all 'mugged' up and written? Or does it mean we have many prodigies? I am sorry my title sounds sarcastic.It's not about the poor students.I am amazed that birth dates can be the turning point! Of course nothing disappointing in a land ridden with superstitions! From now young parents will be under the pressure of planning their babies to be born in the so called cut off months so as to enable them to get into professional courses. The race does not stop is it not!

I met a student of mine the other day..He surprised me when he said he is getting into a top university for an engineering course. Now I know that he had not scored enough to get into that university. Noting my puzzled expression he casually commented that he belonged to a particular socially backward community! He also added that another of his classmate had got in too- the same university, better course, lower marks... I pondered .... was it because there is no other course available other than engg or medical!! or was it pure parental decision? or was it... What kind of engineers would they turn out to be?? Yet another scenario... A college in New Delhi requires 100% cut off!! Strange! Are marks the only criteria? In both cases Aptitude and Creativity take a back seat! Is it no wonder that the so called IITs and IIMs are unable to churn out a Nobel Prize? One billion population ---- tremendous youth potential .... education , social and political policies are rendering ...

We may be in an era of IPad and fancy gadgets but for some religion is indeed an opium! There is this particular shoe retailer whose sales skills and customer relationship is of first class rating. I would inevitably buy footwear from his shop.Visits to his shop always ended with casual chats, a smile and renewal of the customer- retailer bonding. To my consternation ,one evening while buying so,e footwear,the conversation steered to religion. I was astounded by the observations he had made on some people. 'even though so and so is a.... He is a gentleman like people of my religion!' his remarks bordered on his religion and views not caring that I belonged to the religion or faith he was being sarcastic about! I smiled and nodded like a true diplomat. I returned home and ruminated over the conversation. I cannot think for him nor can I change him. It struck me that I am fortunate to have grown up in a secular background. Religion is indeed the worst/best opium!

Lean, wiry frame Shock of wavy salt'n'pepper Draped in Indian Khadi! He sat beneath the tree Sketching.... We giggly girls surrounded This maestro.. Disarming smile, few words This bare-footed guru Pierced my soul with his eyes So much so I mourn For this creative genius But I mourn more For the Intellectually blind Indians  Who exiled him!!!! PS: I had the great fortune of meeting( very briefly and suddenly) this genius at Drive In Woodlands( now converted into Semmozhi Poonga),several years ago. It was a time when he swore to walk barefoot thro'out India. Seeing him at my usual hang out was exciting and memorable.. I can never ever forget his penetrating gaze...