The CMCA’s Yuva Nagrik Meter has been quite insightful, in that it has shown a whole society a mirror to its future - the perceptions of today’s youth, their understanding of democracy and their interpretation of governance. If we are frowning upon these, then it is we who are to blame.
While Finland is busy overhauling its education system, designing it with what is required to prepare young children into playing the role of good citizens, we are scratching our heads on the system of evaluation best suited to our students. In the absence of a clear education policy, reforms are at the whims of the government at the centre and the thinking of the Minister in charge. Even as a society we frown upon young-adults who question the system, even looking upon any rebellion as an act against the interests of the Nation. Remaining static on aspects related to learning affects the development of the mind and influences how a society behaves and evolves.
What is it that we fear in empowering our youngsters with the knowledge of their rights, duties and liberties as citizens? A closed minded society is, metaphorically speaking, digging its own grave! As I finished reading Karen Blumenthal’s biography of Hillary Clinton, I realised the power a society has in influencing and shaping the thinking of its young adults. Sidelining important aspects of equality, we fail to provide the opportunities for the bright minds that, if unable to beat the system, “sadly slip into their cave”.
As the world shrinks and democracies within a Nation are influenced by those outside, education must shun approaches that encourage a ‘frog-in-the well’ attitude. If a mother engages her 8 year old daughter on the what’s and who’s a ‘boyfriend’, she fails her daughter. If a father believes that his daughter’s gender will be a hinderance in her choice of career, he fails her. If a young boy does not respect the freedom he has, his schooling and education have failed him. And if a young adult does not stand up for her/his beliefs, out of fear or otherwise, turns a blind eye and deaf ear to the sights and sounds of injustice, then a whole society has failed her/him.
Someone I once knew would often tell me I “think too much”, as if it were something to be apologetic about. I saw nothing wrong with it. I still do not. After all I never saw myself as plasticine; rather, more of steel! Remember cogito ergo sum? That’s what we need to tell our young adults! It’s good to have many views - divergent, congruent, similar, diverse, varied..however they may be described. Why must we look down upon or fear dissent if we have faith in our thinking and actions? Leaning on a legend from Indian mythology, the churning of an ocean is required for the poison to be removed.
The ability to think, within and outside of the box, is the most powerful qualification to have. To jog your memory a bit, Mark Twain had famously stated that he did not let his schooling interfere with his education. And therein lies the crux of it all! We must move to educating our children and young adults. Encourage them to read, provide a conducive atmosphere for debate and a safe environment for dissent as well. A schooling that bridles the thought and vision of a mind can only fail us all - as a group, a society and eventually, a Nation.
Raga Nand, Gana Saraswati Vidushi Kishori Amonkar
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