learnings

Today I had an interesting session with the First Year engineering students. Among several ramblings, I chanced upon the topic of dowry. To my greatest surprise there were boys who supported dowry stating that it would ensure a comfortable start to their new life!! When the girls were asked to debate against the system they could not come up with effective arguments! I wondered and gaped! How is it that in spite of the media blasting out the evils of the system these 60 odd students could hardly make strong and effective points!!! When I began o present  the real facts, they quietened down and an air of solemnity descended. I am positive that they will never support dowry.. I also pray that they will be able to stop their parents too. It made me realize that often we take things for granted that students would be aware... they know... But do we ever bother to find out?

Today I had an interesting conversation with a final year engineering student. He was requesting a lecturer to spill out a few important questions in the forthcoming exams.He said it was normal in the University. It was also normal to get attendance even if he did not attend classes. Any rule could be twisted and turned if you were in favour of the Professors. In return the students would give positive evaluation and feedback about the professors.. As I listened in shock about this symbiotic relationship, I was sadder for the boy did not feel any remorse. Nor did he feel he was doing nothing wrong. It was the way of his world..It was 'normal'. I briefly thought of Abdul Kalam's speech on India becoming a super power in 2020.  My India will never become a superpower unless the educators in the nation reform. Children and youth are not to be blamed. we adults, parents and teachers, are the criminals. The future looks dismal.