Bharat Mata Ki Jai

“Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country”

                                                                                                      -John F. Kennedy

Patriotism is probably one of the most abstract notions to be conceived.

Love for one’s country could take a wide variety of forms and could have different connotations when thought about by different people. On the other hand there are several people who reject the ideal as they attribute their country of birth to a quirk of fate.

Being a part of the younger generation, I often come across frustrated friends who cannot wait to leave the country at the first chance they can get. Having visited the shores of foreign lands on vacation, they have dreams of spending most of their lives in such countries, which definitely promise “a better future”. Most of these “runaways” will probably be forced to join a foreign college due to the boundless competition in India and soon, the effect snowballs into them staying away from home for a greater part of their life.

I have always been of the opinion that the motherland contributes a great deal to the development of an individual during his formative years. There may be those who scoff at this idea and say that the country is merely catering to their needs. However, life is not only about fulfilling one’s needs, it is the varied experiences we have – happy, sad, utterly frustrating or even relieving – which shape our mindset and mould us into who we are at the core. And this is where the country plays a major role.

India.

I would like to be able to say that I know everything about our country and on hearing her name itself strong emotions rise through me (which is often considered the benchmark for patriotism!). But, that would be a lie.

Being a shy child, I never sang the national anthem during the morning assembly at my school. I have probably never screamed “ Jai Hind” with vigor and vitality. But does that make me a poor Indian? Are we supposed to resort to these displays of nationalism a few days every year and then go back to cursing the country at every opportunity we can get?

Though we may refuse to admit it, for all those who have grown up here, India has shaped each and every one of us. We may have suffered at the hands of her corruption or been refused several opportunities due to her overpopulation. But isn’t there a great deal of satisfaction when one bites into a crispy dosa or a perfect kulfi? There are numerous individuals who believe that if we have a problem with the country’s situation, we should work towards improving it ourselves. Though this sounds easy in theory, and probably noble even, it is only logical that there is a limit to what a single person can do, however determined he may be.

All I am saying is that as the country has given us so much, shouldn’t it be our duty to give back to it as well, rather than having a parasitic existence?

Having seen him walk out in India’s customary blue all the time, it would be unimaginable to see Sachin Tendulkar don Australia’s green and yellow. Why are we so keen to bat for the other team then? Hearing women brag about how much they bargained and managed to reduce the price of their shopping items and simultaneously parading their rather expensive diamond earrings is one of the many contradictions that makes India.

Those older to me say that I am young, foolish and hence idealistic. When I see a bit more of life, my views about India shall automatically change.

All I know is that it’s home.

Grading Or Degrading?

Is change always a good thing?

Transition from one form to another heralds a new beginning. Often one’s lives are affected as a consequence of someone else’s decision. We are repeatedly led to believe that change shall eventually be beneficial. Wouldn’t it instead be better to continue down the same path with complete knowledge of what we shall encounter? There is a certain anger and resentment when change is thrust upon us, when the natural balance of things are affected.

A few years ago, there used to be fierce competition during the Class X Central Board Examinations. Tensions ran high, students got sick with nervousness, and parents were in even worse shape. When the results were announced, it was ecstasy for those at the top of the list along with a healthy dose of relief. For those left languishing at the bottom, it was heartbreak. An unfortunate consequence of this was a large number of teen suicides during the month of May.

Then along came a wizened old man named Kapil Sibal and the rest as they say is history.

He brought about the Continuous Comprehensive Evaluation (CCE) system of schooling reducing the pressure of the final examination. What this essentially means is that if a student performed well in the classroom, the burden of performing well in the exam was greatly reduced. But the most significant development Mr. Sibal brought about was to reduce the final calculation of the result to a Grade Point system (GPA). While earlier it was easy to differentiate between two students, now several students had the same GPA reducing competition greatly.

Lesser competition could only mean lesser stress right?

On the one hand it is undeniable that the new system has finally made students less wary of the Board Examinations. Under the earlier system, the month of March would be a torrid month for pupils. Now, even they admit to the lack of pressure.

But, isn’t it a well advertised fact that human beings work much better under pressure? Isn’t that the case with most of us? We seem to realize the gravity of the situation only when we are driven up the wall. There is no better remedy to boost one’s performance than a healthy dose of fear.

However, there is a vast contingent of students who have benefited from the change. They are those who are labeled as academically weak. Earlier, the gulf between the top students and someone who has not performed as well was so large that even discussing the child’s performance with others was a matter of shame for parents and others. Now, even these students are branded with a GPA, which is nowhere near as bad. But, the reduced competition translates into no defined topper. Those at the top have been adversely affected. Thousands of students made the perfect score of a 10.0 this year. I got a CGPA of 10 as well but there were 18 others along with me and that dampened the euphoria.

But, the grading system is essential for the greater good of a large percentage of the student population. What should also be remembered is that such competition at such a young age is probably not needed in the first place anyway.

It would be wrong to label change as black or white. All that must be retained is that change is inevitable.

And one must adapt or risk being left behind.