Bye, Bye, World

Away I want to slip into slumber sweet and deep,
With the wings of goddess of sleep
Never to return but ever to fly.

From horizon to horizon will I flaot like a boat,
And swim like a bird in the world infinite,
And unknown to me yet mostly my own.

Soothed will I be from the hurries and worries,
And fret and fury of mundane,
With no askings, no if's and but's of officialdom.

Yes, there, there, there far away into eternity,
Aching I am to pluck and scud away.

Shun Linguistic bigotry

Much dust is raised by the hue and cry of Hindi- loving nation lovers against the use of English. I don’t want to stir Hornet’s nest by saying that I have strong aversion to advocacy of Hindi disparaging English.  Equally am I averse to advocacy of English at the cost of Hindi. Let me not be misconstrued as anti- nation and that I am trying to denigrate Hindi for the sake of English. Certainly, both the languages are equally lovable to me. Why only these two ? In fact, I will love to know and speak as many languages as possible to my need and convenience. What I want to convey is that all the languages must be viewed from equidistance and with equal respect. And it is needless to say that next to Hindi comes English being it an international language.

 Of course, Hindi must be kept comparatively at the higher pedestal when it comes to learning and teaching of languages as it, more than any other language, reflects the culture and character of our nation. In that way it is a veritable uniting force. But this doesn’t give license to disparage other language that flourishes simultaneously by force of its own nature and magnanimity.  In fact, if Hindi has to make a global impression, it is possible through English only. Therefore English is to be encouraged rather than disparaged.  

The straitjacketed views regarding the learning and use of particular language is nothing but the narrow and lopsided stance taken by linguistic fundamentalist.  I appreciate the idea that Hindi must be given priority but I cannot digest the view that the massive use of English is an impediment in the way. Efforts must be made so that the students in our country learn, write and speak good Hindi. Having done so, the people of this democratic country has the freedom to use the language of their liking.

 Let us not forget that it is the English literature that has brought international name and fame to the nation. Raja Rao, Anita Desai, RK Narayanan, Khushwant singh, anita Desai  are no small figure in English Literature. Tagore might not have got worldly acclaim had he not translated his Geetanjali  into English. Arundhati’s God of Small Things, Arvind Adiga’s The white Tiger, Desai’s Inheritance of Loss  have proved that literary acumen of Indians is best manifested in English literature.

Even apart from creative literature, Indians have made English their medium to prove their supremacy in other fields like Economics, Biography, History and Science and technology. Aurbindo Ghosh, JL Nehru, MK Gandhi, Amartya Sen, APJ Abul Kalam, Jaswant Singh have made the best of English language.  

Language carries with it the social and cultural ethos. To know more languages means to have broader outlook and rich culture. Acceptance and assimilation of language shows the magnanimity  of  one’s own language. And perhaps herein lies the greatness of English. This is the reason that English has attained the international status as a language.

I don’t doudt the utterances of Bhartendu : Nij bhasha ko unnti hai sab unnti ko mool  (The progress of one’s own language is the very base of all progress). But he had never said and meant : Par bhasha ko nindaa hai sab unnti ko mool. (Dispaaging other’s language is at the very base of all progress). 

Our Ailing Education

Notwithstanding the lofty claims of the state government, the scenario regarding qualitative education remains bleak. Apart from some improvement in infrastructure, the SSA has benefited meagrely though the claims have been highflown. In fact, we seem to be moving from cocksure ignorance to thoughtful uncertainty. And now it’s the turn of the RMSA to play the same role.
On paper, the SSA and the RMSA seems to be panacea for curing our ailing education. But the hard ground realities have a different story to tell. In fact, the problem lies in poor execution, casual monitoring approach, inadequate training, lack of competent RP’s and disregard of teachers’ views and suggestions.
Doing away with the marks-based examination system might be blessing for many, but at the same time has discouraged the spirit of healthy academic competition. Examination is a stress for shirkers not for studious and hardworking children. It cannot be logical to ignore these a few brilliant brains for the sake of shirkers. As is the mentality of the children, they will find no attraction for getting marks. Let me be not misconstrued as being anti-reformsist. Nodoubt, the innovations are welcome but only if they have reasonability keeping in view the ground realities.
The CCE should be only one part of examination, but to lay major emphasis on viva-voce or oral examinations will only degrade the quality of talent of succeeding generation. This can clearly be discerned from the fact that the student of 10+2 or BA standard cannot write a single sentence correctly in English. And the dissemination of knowledge and information is widely done in black and white for which the writing skill is of utmost importance. The excessive emphasis on CCE will undermine the possibility of producing talents of high standard. This means that we would be limiting the scope for the development of creative urge.
Unfortunately, we are operating is such a system wherein new education policy is for the sake of money whereas money should have come for the sake of policy.
The present form of written examinations and evaluation may have its drawbacks, but to shun them completely for the sake of another system, which in its turn is not free from faults, will be like getting out of the frying pan into the fire.
Another sad part the latest policy is that the teachers are being burdened with those activities that do not fall in the ambit of his teaching acumen. They are in catch22 situation and his responsibilities are hanging between teaching and fetching data. He looks at himself more as record keeping babu than a teacher. Becoming frustrated, he takes his responsibilities as completed by just fetching the paper work.
The height of the matter is that even the executing agencies are not clear about the results of the new CCE policies. And the bosses in the government does not seem to be showing real seriousness.

World Health Day

Wish you all  sound  health on  

          World Health Day

  Eat less, Drink more.

                   Pick fruit, Kick junk.

                            No gluttony, No bulging belly.

                                            Enjoy good health really.   

                

Cathrine

very laconic , but nice.