Increment in Hoax
The age that we are fortunate, as well as unfortunate, to live in, is resplendent with increment(s)—in various fields and are thus of various varieties. And since we accept the good without much ado and very less gratitude—taking it for granted, we have no option but to gulp the bad ones that come our way—like it or not. Life is a paradox to me—in fact the biggest of them all; presenting its ambi faces and leaving the ball entirely in our court—as to how we view the situation(s). Same it is with the ‘increments’—in type(s) as well as magnitude(s).
With the introduction of the sixth pay commission for the central government employees and graces thankfully embracing the pensioners as well; there has been a manifold increment in the pay packet(s) of the beneficiaries. As a consequence, life has improved for them drastically. This is the positive side. But on the flip side, the market rate—taking into cognizance only the increased ‘spend-ability’ of a select category comprising a minor proportion of the population, has touched sky-high. All the talk about lessening in supply causing an increased demand pushing the market rate up is less than accurate. Market rates are not solely decided by ‘supply & demand’ theory. Rather it is decided by the ‘Economics of Economy’—as I have mentioned in an earlier blog.
So what actually this increment has done is that it has brought about an increment in the problems of the people who have not benefited from the pay hike. Thus now they are being forced to spend more, as compared to earlier, and they get to save less—that is, if at all, given the extortionist policy to put up a façade of a growing Indian economy.
This is only one of the increments in the milieu of innumerable. Others are increments in--the number of mobile service providers, number of schools sprouting up everyday irrespective of the quality of education they dole out. Evil forces all around that cause an increment in the malfunctioning of the society—in a way increment in the malignancy that has encroached its all areas making the situation irreversible, almost, has seen an unprecedented increment. Maybe my words might seem a bit pessimistic but what I state is the fact and fact is a bitter pill.
There are various other increments, that are causing us more harm and if they are affecting any good at all, then it is yet to be reported and felt. One such increment is in the global warming. Conventions, summits and what not, are being held globally to discuss and search for any possible mean(s) to somehow curb this Frankenstein called Global Warming. Yes, it is a Frankenstein sort of a thing, being the creation of ‘We, the humans’ to suit our life-style. Everyday we get to read about the work being done or ideas mulled towards this cause. So herein I shall not delve into it further. My job being to look upon it as another area undergoing ‘increment’ to cause an ‘increment’ in the output of an outcome which is anything but positive or beneficial.
Given the galore of increments all round us, how could the field of ‘hoax’ be left behind? After all ours is a country, where ‘We, the people’ are ruled and governed by the ‘hoaxes’. And these hoaxes are served on a platter by the people whom we send—directly or indirectly, as our representative(s) to sustain the ‘legacy of democracy’. Yes, you have correctly assessed—these people are the professionals called politicians. True, all politicians are not bad and all are not in the profession of politics to meet their own ulterior agenda. But this also is true that coming across a politician who has jumped into the ‘ring of politics’ considering politics as a way to be of service to ‘We, the people’ and not as profession, are very few and far in between. They are, were they are, because they want to be of service to themselves—self-servers, through their parties.
And there is an increment, everyday of such politician(s) and correspondingly in their hoaxes.
One such glaring hoax was served by the Hon’ble Finance Minister of the West Bengal Government. He announced in his budget speech for 2010-11 that “an increment of 35% in the salary of Part-time teachers in Colleges is being brought about”. Good to hear but impossible to be true! At least, the teachers shan’t be getting those! If at all the money is allocated for the purpose, where it would go is anybody’s guess.
This I state because, as of today the part-time teachers in the Govt. Colleges of West Bengal—irrespective of the duration of their services—have been laid off. And mind it, this is not a view from the sidelines. This is an ‘on-field’ reporting. I myself am sailing in that boat with the teachers, after serving the college with utmost sincerity and to the best of my abilities for the past six and half years. We were not even shown the courtesy of an official termination letter.
So to whom the Hon’ble minister and the Govt. would give the incremented salary—to non-existent teachers?
And sadly enough, neither the print media nor the electronic media consider it an issue worth taking up. Maybe highlighting the issue won’t bring an increment in their circulation and TRP. After all teachers (several thousands have been affected) and their issues don’t fall in that ‘glamorous zone’. This is not about myself but about the entire community and that is why it is saddening and appalling. This is how teachers, considered the builders of the society are meant to be treated in the era of increments. I could no longer do nothing and wait for somebody else to report this injustice, subsequently followed shamelessly by this ‘announced hoax’.
It would be interesting now to see what other promises—actually hoaxes—the Govt. has in store!
The nation is full of gullible people and they consider the words of politicians as etchings on stone. I myself have been congratulated for an increment in my salary—though the job is non-existent. These well-meaning people were not aware of the true scenario and were smitten by the commitments of all persons, the ‘politicians’. I don’t know what to call them. Well-wishers they are but naïve.
So keep an eye on my blog space. Maybe next time I might be reporting yet another increment in our salary—India has become so rich that jobless people too are getting paid—in the form of HRA, medical allowances. And why stop here, maybe quarters might be constructed and allotted to us—on paper. More increment they can bring to their repertoire of imagination more would be the increment in the hoaxes!
But not always ‘More is Merrier’.
We deserve an increment but not in ‘hoax’, rather in sincerity, transparency and concern for ‘We, the people’, of which we teachers too are an indispensable part. Otherwise, this politics of ‘increments in hoax’ would cause ‘increment in the degeneracy’ of the society and the country as a whole.
Did we fight for our Independence for this day? Under the circumstances the term Independence has become a BIG HOAX.
Sushmita Mukherjee,
April 24th 2010.
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Mediclaim for Education
Mediclaim for Education
It has been quite some time since I was last seen on my blog space—but I assure you that it was not without any reason(s). After all whatever we do, or end up doing,the incidents that happen around us, and to us as well---all have reasons, for unfolding the way they do. Though it is equally true that most of the times we are clueless as to why they happened, the way they happened. The reason(s) manifest themselves only later, at an appropriate time, which is ascertained by the discretion of the laws of nature. Fortunate are those who can correlate these ‘delayed’’ manifestation(s) of the reason(s), with their actual and ‘corresponding incident(s)’. But in spite of the apparently non-apparent reasons and thus seemingly illogical occurrences, both with me as well as my surroundings—all encompassing, with the inclusion of environment in totality comprising of my acquaintances and nature as a whole—I remain a staunch believer of the existence of a “theory behind everything”. Just as the renowned physicist Stephen Hawking, who has authored a book of the same title—Theory Behind Everything.
Armed with this belief I have tried to assess various prevailing situation(s) in the society—the society serving as a unit, which makes up the nation and when extrapolated, the world as a whole. During the ‘assessment assignment’—self-imposed, of course—I have quite naturally come to accept and appreciate the development(s) that has (have) taken place all around and which continues to do so. These are the fruits of scientific endeavours and toils of innumerable individuals—after all “success & development” is a team game, requiring the involvement of one and all. In fact, more the merrier, though at times too many cooks do spoil the broth!
Anyway, one ‘positive’ that I want to discuss here, is the help—towards medical expenses—extended by the various ‘Mediclaim’ policies—floated by as many insurance companies. One needs to pay a ‘premium’ for sustaining the policy(ies) and in turn they sustain us by taking care of our medical expenditures—in case of surgeries and hospitalization(s). The medical bills, given the exponential increments they are undergoing, add up to the mental agony; over and above the physical pain that a person or a family member has to endure—and members of the family too do not stay immune to this pain. Hence this concept of “Mediclaim” can claim its place as financial anxiolytic (anxiety breaker), in the wake of acute medical condition(s).
There are certain pitfalls of such policies. Then what doesn’t have? So in this context I think considering the negatives would not be appropriate. And also it is equally true that these policies are yet to reach the economically weaker class—a paradox, as they need it the most. That would require a discussion entirely and exclusively devoted to the cause though. By dealing with it here I do not want to dilute the seriousness of the issue.
So now I move on to something else, pertinent to my ‘reason’ (again!) of indulging in this discussion primarily, and that is the education in India.
The kids of this generation have been found to be more receptive, given the subjects that they are subjected to, from a very early age. But its after-effect is, a fast burnout. The faster the brain accepts the information, the faster it rejects, by ejecting it out—from the brain—the moment its utility: read exams, projects, etc., is over. The retention is found to be difficult, if not impossible. This after-effect seems to be an extension of the “Use & Throw” policy, which first came into vogue with regards to commodities, but frighteningly is being applied for qualities and relationships as well, along with finding application in what we call ‘education’.
Another thing, which has come out as the direct fallout of the current policy adopted by the schools, is the physical fitness—rather the lack of it, of the kids. I have found that more and more of the kids have started to suffer from neuralgic pains—severe back pains, spondylitis and the like. And on intense analyses have found the cause to lie with the school bags—the kilograms they carry are of frightening proportions. No wonder they are suffering from such degenerative ailment (s) in their formative years! When the body is still in the process of growth, it buckles under the inhuman weight the school bags have come to signify.
In our times, we had definite routine for each day and carried the books and copies of the corresponding subjects only. But nowadays, the routine is not specified. The kids have to carry all books in their curriculum and copies too, rendering them assess with mass of books on their back.
Accepting the prevailing norm, in the name of education, various manufacturers of school bags have hit the market with a ‘ trolley’ incorporated in the bag. This allows the kids some relief, as they are spared from carrying the bag—in fact baggage—on their back. But how many can afford such an innovative bag—only a select few. That leaves the majority with no option but to lug their bags, on their shoulders—shoulders too weak and small for such weights, which thus become burden.
This burden manifests itself in various forms—mental and physical. And as I am with the physical part in this discussion, I think, the insurance companies should induct ‘education’ too in their mediclaim policies—wherein injuries inflicted by such norm for education too would have the medical expenses borne by them. The companies would reap rich dividends having thus increased their area of applicability. While the kids and their parents can be spared from bearing the heavy medical expenditures that follow such ‘criminal education’.
Yes, it is a type of crime that is being committed in the name of education. Education is a quality, whose attainment is the birth right of every individual. It is not a quantity, which needs to depend upon the kilograms of books that are being enforced on the shoulders of the student(s).
There are number of reforms that are being tried to improve our education system. But it is restricted, as of now, to the arena of exams, marks and no-marks! I sincerely hope that steps would be mulled over, in the future—not distant but near—to address the issue. The ‘baggage’ should be reverted to the ‘bag’ it once used to be. The kids can only then blossom mentally—with the elimination of the physical burden.
I know people might disagree with me, and put forth as evidence, a very low ‘percentile’ of such ‘painful’ cases. But one cannot disagree with the existence of, even if, a low percentile! And in any case exception(s) prove(s) the rule. So if all are not suffering, then sufferings of a few, is a valid enough reason to bring about the downfall of the prevalent ‘norm’.
But till something is done in this direction, education would continue to be disbursed as a baggage, in the name of norm and in the form of ‘educational baggage’. And in the interim, this ‘education’ would be claiming the health of many more hapless kid(s).
Since education, synonymous with unimaginable weights, is causing such severe medical condition(s), there needs to be a Mediclaim for Education. That would be some solace in the wake of the irreparable damages that are incurred at times— by taking care of the financial worries. The actual damage though could never be compensated.
So either the schools, or the Government, should come up with such group insurance schemes in collaboration with the insurance companies.
As for what should be the name of such a scheme, I can propose one: EDUCLAIM.
Sushmita Mukherjee,
Thursday, 8th April 2010.
It has been quite some time since I was last seen on my blog space—but I assure you that it was not without any reason(s). After all whatever we do, or end up doing,the incidents that happen around us, and to us as well---all have reasons, for unfolding the way they do. Though it is equally true that most of the times we are clueless as to why they happened, the way they happened. The reason(s) manifest themselves only later, at an appropriate time, which is ascertained by the discretion of the laws of nature. Fortunate are those who can correlate these ‘delayed’’ manifestation(s) of the reason(s), with their actual and ‘corresponding incident(s)’. But in spite of the apparently non-apparent reasons and thus seemingly illogical occurrences, both with me as well as my surroundings—all encompassing, with the inclusion of environment in totality comprising of my acquaintances and nature as a whole—I remain a staunch believer of the existence of a “theory behind everything”. Just as the renowned physicist Stephen Hawking, who has authored a book of the same title—Theory Behind Everything.
Armed with this belief I have tried to assess various prevailing situation(s) in the society—the society serving as a unit, which makes up the nation and when extrapolated, the world as a whole. During the ‘assessment assignment’—self-imposed, of course—I have quite naturally come to accept and appreciate the development(s) that has (have) taken place all around and which continues to do so. These are the fruits of scientific endeavours and toils of innumerable individuals—after all “success & development” is a team game, requiring the involvement of one and all. In fact, more the merrier, though at times too many cooks do spoil the broth!
Anyway, one ‘positive’ that I want to discuss here, is the help—towards medical expenses—extended by the various ‘Mediclaim’ policies—floated by as many insurance companies. One needs to pay a ‘premium’ for sustaining the policy(ies) and in turn they sustain us by taking care of our medical expenditures—in case of surgeries and hospitalization(s). The medical bills, given the exponential increments they are undergoing, add up to the mental agony; over and above the physical pain that a person or a family member has to endure—and members of the family too do not stay immune to this pain. Hence this concept of “Mediclaim” can claim its place as financial anxiolytic (anxiety breaker), in the wake of acute medical condition(s).
There are certain pitfalls of such policies. Then what doesn’t have? So in this context I think considering the negatives would not be appropriate. And also it is equally true that these policies are yet to reach the economically weaker class—a paradox, as they need it the most. That would require a discussion entirely and exclusively devoted to the cause though. By dealing with it here I do not want to dilute the seriousness of the issue.
So now I move on to something else, pertinent to my ‘reason’ (again!) of indulging in this discussion primarily, and that is the education in India.
The kids of this generation have been found to be more receptive, given the subjects that they are subjected to, from a very early age. But its after-effect is, a fast burnout. The faster the brain accepts the information, the faster it rejects, by ejecting it out—from the brain—the moment its utility: read exams, projects, etc., is over. The retention is found to be difficult, if not impossible. This after-effect seems to be an extension of the “Use & Throw” policy, which first came into vogue with regards to commodities, but frighteningly is being applied for qualities and relationships as well, along with finding application in what we call ‘education’.
Another thing, which has come out as the direct fallout of the current policy adopted by the schools, is the physical fitness—rather the lack of it, of the kids. I have found that more and more of the kids have started to suffer from neuralgic pains—severe back pains, spondylitis and the like. And on intense analyses have found the cause to lie with the school bags—the kilograms they carry are of frightening proportions. No wonder they are suffering from such degenerative ailment (s) in their formative years! When the body is still in the process of growth, it buckles under the inhuman weight the school bags have come to signify.
In our times, we had definite routine for each day and carried the books and copies of the corresponding subjects only. But nowadays, the routine is not specified. The kids have to carry all books in their curriculum and copies too, rendering them assess with mass of books on their back.
Accepting the prevailing norm, in the name of education, various manufacturers of school bags have hit the market with a ‘ trolley’ incorporated in the bag. This allows the kids some relief, as they are spared from carrying the bag—in fact baggage—on their back. But how many can afford such an innovative bag—only a select few. That leaves the majority with no option but to lug their bags, on their shoulders—shoulders too weak and small for such weights, which thus become burden.
This burden manifests itself in various forms—mental and physical. And as I am with the physical part in this discussion, I think, the insurance companies should induct ‘education’ too in their mediclaim policies—wherein injuries inflicted by such norm for education too would have the medical expenses borne by them. The companies would reap rich dividends having thus increased their area of applicability. While the kids and their parents can be spared from bearing the heavy medical expenditures that follow such ‘criminal education’.
Yes, it is a type of crime that is being committed in the name of education. Education is a quality, whose attainment is the birth right of every individual. It is not a quantity, which needs to depend upon the kilograms of books that are being enforced on the shoulders of the student(s).
There are number of reforms that are being tried to improve our education system. But it is restricted, as of now, to the arena of exams, marks and no-marks! I sincerely hope that steps would be mulled over, in the future—not distant but near—to address the issue. The ‘baggage’ should be reverted to the ‘bag’ it once used to be. The kids can only then blossom mentally—with the elimination of the physical burden.
I know people might disagree with me, and put forth as evidence, a very low ‘percentile’ of such ‘painful’ cases. But one cannot disagree with the existence of, even if, a low percentile! And in any case exception(s) prove(s) the rule. So if all are not suffering, then sufferings of a few, is a valid enough reason to bring about the downfall of the prevalent ‘norm’.
But till something is done in this direction, education would continue to be disbursed as a baggage, in the name of norm and in the form of ‘educational baggage’. And in the interim, this ‘education’ would be claiming the health of many more hapless kid(s).
Since education, synonymous with unimaginable weights, is causing such severe medical condition(s), there needs to be a Mediclaim for Education. That would be some solace in the wake of the irreparable damages that are incurred at times— by taking care of the financial worries. The actual damage though could never be compensated.
So either the schools, or the Government, should come up with such group insurance schemes in collaboration with the insurance companies.
As for what should be the name of such a scheme, I can propose one: EDUCLAIM.
Sushmita Mukherjee,
Thursday, 8th April 2010.
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Empowered State, Belittled Nation
Empowered State, Belittled Nation
Who are we supposed to be? Residents of this country or citizens of this country? Or are we merely natives of a particular place belonging to a particular state; having total loyalty, obligation and sense of belonging to that State only, relegating the Country to a secondary status?
There is a major difference between a mere resident and a bonafide citizen. Though it seems we are bent upon forsaking this citizenship for the “myopic regionalism”. Also on innumerable occasions we are forced by the socio-economic and socio-political system to accept the superiority of regional loyalty over love for our nationality.
This I state, without malice towards my fellow citizens. Rather these are all statements of facts rooted in my own experiences. And I am sure each and everybody has had his or her share of fling with regionalism---at times voluntary and at other times involuntary. I have been at the receiving end of such loyalty towards regionalism and herein I would like to share with you all some of them, which have had profound impact on my life.
I was born and brought up in Bihar, the much-maligned state for reasons galore and at times without any, as well. Well, that is not my contention here, rather my experiences are. My father was a University Professor and a teacher of great repute, and is still much loved and respected. He superannuated from his service in December 1999. During that time he held the post of Dean, Faculty of Science. Incidentally, he too has been born and brought up in Bihar, my grandfather having shifted his base there for his profession.
I had my entire education there. First, school and subsequently, B.Sc, from a college, which is over 100years old, followed by M.Sc from the University. We moved to Kolkata lock, stock and barrel in the year 2000 after my father’s retirement from service. In the meanwhile I qualified in NET (National Eligibility Test), a must for Lectureship in India, from a center in Kolkata.
These are the facts. Now come the effects and experiences.
In spite of our long, to say the least, association with the place, the respect that my father gets there from his students and colleagues, it couldn’t become our home. Time and again, we were discriminated by the people, in general, as, “Bangali hai na (After all is a Bengali)”, “Bangali aisa hi hota hai (Bengalis are like this only)”, etc. True, at the same time, the love that we continue to get from our acquaintances is unparalleled and we feel blessed for that. In fact when we left that place, I didn’t find single such an eye, “tear-less”.
But still, the discrimination hurt beyond expression, graduating to Rejection.
Well, this is not the end of the story. There are two more to follow.
Let them be in the chronological order of their happening.
After securing high marks in my Class 12th exam, I was fortunate to get admission in Miranda House, New Delhi with Honours in Chemistry. But I had to forgo the admission after attending classes for about 8 weeks as I was denied an accommodation in the hostel despite my having maximum marks in my stream. All because I hailed from Bihar and had dared to speak the truth during the interview conducted for admission to the hostel. How could I be taken in? I was a Bihari sitting in the confines of the Principal’s room in India’s capital and still daring to speak the truth!
Then comes an incident that took place later. In an earlier paragraph, I’ve specifically mentioned that my center was in Kolkata for the NET, which is conducted, twice a year, jointly by CSIR & UGC and qualifying in the test is a prerequisite for getting appointed as Lecturer in College/s in India. Thus having cleared the “net of NET”, I was assured of Lectureship, in a college with vacancy in the relevant subject. In the interim, I started my PhD programme in a renowned institution, where I got chance after a rigorous interview and due to my “NET qualification”. The research got discontinued, due to certain physical limitations that developed subsequently and the rigidity of the people concerned. They didn’t want to modify the working condition nor the approach towards the assignment was changed.
I knew that I would face stiff competition for Lectureship, but my candidature would be summarily rejected, that I didn’t envisage. Because I had the “specified” credentials. Even my “demo” class impressed quite a few in the interview panel: in the interviews that I faced.
But I was not considered. That didn’t hurt me because in interviews such things do happen. You can’t succeed in all. But the reason angered, hurt and perplexed me. The reason that was made to do the rounds “pseudo-officially” was my lack of a PhD degree. With due regards, PhD can’t be the deciding parameter for Lectureship and teaching acumen. To become a good teacher, it is not essential and that is what has been stated by the UGC, though NET is the decider. To be a good teacher the communication skills plus the grasp over the subject are quintessential. Furthermore, it is not my fault that I don’t have a PhD. I won’t get into it as it is a different issue altogether in the given context.
The actual and unofficially aired cause for the rejection of my candidature, that did the rounds of the corridors that mattered, was my Bihar connection. Lo and behold, I appeared in the NET from Kolkata, withstood interviews and made my dedication towards my chosen profession very clear. But it is the stigma of Bihar, which became my undoing.
At present, I am a part time Lecturer in a reputed Government College, where I have been teaching since November, 2003.I got the job because of my NET eligibility.
But then I could’ve had full time lectureship.
I am not complaining, but merely stating that now I have become a “Bihari”. If my degrees, from Bihar, were false, how did I clear NET, faced long interviews, have my students well placed abroad by competing in various relevant competitive examinations? Here I do not want to extol about my capabilities but want to lay the bare facts out in the open.
Just imagine, in an Independent Country, I do not know who I am: a Bengali or a Bihari? Nobody (people who decide the fate of a person’s career) considers me as an Indian. While in Bihar, I was a “non-resident Bengali”, in Delhi I was a “resident Bihari non-resident Bengali” and in Bengal I have been labeled a “non-resident Bihari, speaking Bangla”! And amidst all these, the concerned people have overlooked my Indian citizenship. So it is with many others, I am sure, Maharashtra projecting one of the most glaring examples in recent times.
I am afraid that this problem will rise exponentially, with the demand for and creation of many more states. The country is being fragmented or rather fresh boundaries are being drawn as new states, in our country’s map. True, this might help in better governance and addressing the local issues, by the decentralization of power.
But a serious backlash would be a further rise in this regional feeling; as if other discriminations based on caste and religion are not enough. Rather with more and more states, this uprising of regionalism will get a license to be exercised: nationalism being torn while the boundaries are etched.
I sincerely hope, the states do not become malignant tumour crippling the working of a united nation. We should’ve the right to exercise our rights as Indians instead of being pushed into the regional quagmire of being a Bihari, Bengali, Punjabi………etc. the number of such “names” being equal to the total number of states!
States are building blocks of the country, like a “dx” in Calculus, which when integrated over a specified range gives the entire picture, here the country. But they can never supersede the country in significance and importance.
I am sure of my identity. I am an Indian.
Sushmita Mukherjee,
11th January, 2010
Who are we supposed to be? Residents of this country or citizens of this country? Or are we merely natives of a particular place belonging to a particular state; having total loyalty, obligation and sense of belonging to that State only, relegating the Country to a secondary status?
There is a major difference between a mere resident and a bonafide citizen. Though it seems we are bent upon forsaking this citizenship for the “myopic regionalism”. Also on innumerable occasions we are forced by the socio-economic and socio-political system to accept the superiority of regional loyalty over love for our nationality.
This I state, without malice towards my fellow citizens. Rather these are all statements of facts rooted in my own experiences. And I am sure each and everybody has had his or her share of fling with regionalism---at times voluntary and at other times involuntary. I have been at the receiving end of such loyalty towards regionalism and herein I would like to share with you all some of them, which have had profound impact on my life.
I was born and brought up in Bihar, the much-maligned state for reasons galore and at times without any, as well. Well, that is not my contention here, rather my experiences are. My father was a University Professor and a teacher of great repute, and is still much loved and respected. He superannuated from his service in December 1999. During that time he held the post of Dean, Faculty of Science. Incidentally, he too has been born and brought up in Bihar, my grandfather having shifted his base there for his profession.
I had my entire education there. First, school and subsequently, B.Sc, from a college, which is over 100years old, followed by M.Sc from the University. We moved to Kolkata lock, stock and barrel in the year 2000 after my father’s retirement from service. In the meanwhile I qualified in NET (National Eligibility Test), a must for Lectureship in India, from a center in Kolkata.
These are the facts. Now come the effects and experiences.
In spite of our long, to say the least, association with the place, the respect that my father gets there from his students and colleagues, it couldn’t become our home. Time and again, we were discriminated by the people, in general, as, “Bangali hai na (After all is a Bengali)”, “Bangali aisa hi hota hai (Bengalis are like this only)”, etc. True, at the same time, the love that we continue to get from our acquaintances is unparalleled and we feel blessed for that. In fact when we left that place, I didn’t find single such an eye, “tear-less”.
But still, the discrimination hurt beyond expression, graduating to Rejection.
Well, this is not the end of the story. There are two more to follow.
Let them be in the chronological order of their happening.
After securing high marks in my Class 12th exam, I was fortunate to get admission in Miranda House, New Delhi with Honours in Chemistry. But I had to forgo the admission after attending classes for about 8 weeks as I was denied an accommodation in the hostel despite my having maximum marks in my stream. All because I hailed from Bihar and had dared to speak the truth during the interview conducted for admission to the hostel. How could I be taken in? I was a Bihari sitting in the confines of the Principal’s room in India’s capital and still daring to speak the truth!
Then comes an incident that took place later. In an earlier paragraph, I’ve specifically mentioned that my center was in Kolkata for the NET, which is conducted, twice a year, jointly by CSIR & UGC and qualifying in the test is a prerequisite for getting appointed as Lecturer in College/s in India. Thus having cleared the “net of NET”, I was assured of Lectureship, in a college with vacancy in the relevant subject. In the interim, I started my PhD programme in a renowned institution, where I got chance after a rigorous interview and due to my “NET qualification”. The research got discontinued, due to certain physical limitations that developed subsequently and the rigidity of the people concerned. They didn’t want to modify the working condition nor the approach towards the assignment was changed.
I knew that I would face stiff competition for Lectureship, but my candidature would be summarily rejected, that I didn’t envisage. Because I had the “specified” credentials. Even my “demo” class impressed quite a few in the interview panel: in the interviews that I faced.
But I was not considered. That didn’t hurt me because in interviews such things do happen. You can’t succeed in all. But the reason angered, hurt and perplexed me. The reason that was made to do the rounds “pseudo-officially” was my lack of a PhD degree. With due regards, PhD can’t be the deciding parameter for Lectureship and teaching acumen. To become a good teacher, it is not essential and that is what has been stated by the UGC, though NET is the decider. To be a good teacher the communication skills plus the grasp over the subject are quintessential. Furthermore, it is not my fault that I don’t have a PhD. I won’t get into it as it is a different issue altogether in the given context.
The actual and unofficially aired cause for the rejection of my candidature, that did the rounds of the corridors that mattered, was my Bihar connection. Lo and behold, I appeared in the NET from Kolkata, withstood interviews and made my dedication towards my chosen profession very clear. But it is the stigma of Bihar, which became my undoing.
At present, I am a part time Lecturer in a reputed Government College, where I have been teaching since November, 2003.I got the job because of my NET eligibility.
But then I could’ve had full time lectureship.
I am not complaining, but merely stating that now I have become a “Bihari”. If my degrees, from Bihar, were false, how did I clear NET, faced long interviews, have my students well placed abroad by competing in various relevant competitive examinations? Here I do not want to extol about my capabilities but want to lay the bare facts out in the open.
Just imagine, in an Independent Country, I do not know who I am: a Bengali or a Bihari? Nobody (people who decide the fate of a person’s career) considers me as an Indian. While in Bihar, I was a “non-resident Bengali”, in Delhi I was a “resident Bihari non-resident Bengali” and in Bengal I have been labeled a “non-resident Bihari, speaking Bangla”! And amidst all these, the concerned people have overlooked my Indian citizenship. So it is with many others, I am sure, Maharashtra projecting one of the most glaring examples in recent times.
I am afraid that this problem will rise exponentially, with the demand for and creation of many more states. The country is being fragmented or rather fresh boundaries are being drawn as new states, in our country’s map. True, this might help in better governance and addressing the local issues, by the decentralization of power.
But a serious backlash would be a further rise in this regional feeling; as if other discriminations based on caste and religion are not enough. Rather with more and more states, this uprising of regionalism will get a license to be exercised: nationalism being torn while the boundaries are etched.
I sincerely hope, the states do not become malignant tumour crippling the working of a united nation. We should’ve the right to exercise our rights as Indians instead of being pushed into the regional quagmire of being a Bihari, Bengali, Punjabi………etc. the number of such “names” being equal to the total number of states!
States are building blocks of the country, like a “dx” in Calculus, which when integrated over a specified range gives the entire picture, here the country. But they can never supersede the country in significance and importance.
I am sure of my identity. I am an Indian.
Sushmita Mukherjee,
11th January, 2010
Self-Proclaimed Judge
Self-proclaimed Judge
We are all self-proclaimed judges, albeit to a varying degree. Simply because we are judgemental. But “judgement” means, as per the dictionary (yes, again that sacred book which is indispensable to me and without its help I refrain from using words: from fear of misinterpretation on the part of the readers and unintentional distortion of views and facts that need to be expressed, on my part!), “ability to make sound decisions”; while “judgemental” is scripted as adj (i) of judgement, (ii) being overly critical of others.
Whence I don’t know whether “being judgemental” can qualify at all as a positive trait. “Judgemental” can indicate towards a positive lineage only if the judgement is a judgement in the true sense (which it seldom is when one is judgemental) and not a proxy, which is primarily based on hearsay and prejudices. Judges are supposed to pass sound judgements instead of being judgemental. Judgemental, brings an element of self-involvement and makes it all the more difficult to elevate the self beyond the horizon of “bias”.
We as human-beings, on being exposed to various happenings: from downright mundane to outright adrenalin pumping----come up with theories behind it. We pass our judgement on the role of the participant/s and the validity or otherwise of the incident/s.
Theorizing, which we as students of Chemistry do quite a bit, is an outcome of, either or combination or all, the following factors:
(i) Generalisation :- When the same outcome is had from similar ingredients: participants, circumstances etc., we generalize that given the similar situation, the interaction between amimate or animate & inanimate subjects will yield the same result.
(ii) Retroanalysis:- Analysis done in retrospect . It is somewhat analogous to generalization, rather is its precursor, differs a bit in as much as a generalization is laid only when it attains the tag of “ being unarguably true” after innumerable analyses & retroanalyes. In analyses we need to keep an open mind instead of being rigid. We shouldn’t be afraid to find faults in our assessment of the situation. Rather should be our own biggest critic, as it is quite possible that we might be wrong (to err is human). Only then, possibly, we will attain the absolute truth.
(iii) Call of Prejudice:- This makes us do things which we deem to be correct. Prejudice blurs our vision with a wrong notion that we are right and others are wrong. We wish to see events unfurl according to our thought-to-be correct way/s. We want others to behave as per our dictates (doesn’t that make us dictators?!). If they fail to do so, we adjudge them to be in the wrong. All this because prejudice as a word, ‘has its root’, if I am not wrong, in “prejudge” which means “to form a judgement before knowing all the facts”, while “prejudice” is “an opinion based not on reason or experience”. In other words, being predisposed /pre-committed towards a particular judgement irrespective of the facts, which aren’t cared to be considered in totality.
Thus, prejudice leads to bias, rather is synonymous. Whence theories when lean upon (i) more, with help from (ii) but not entirely on (ii) and definitely not even a bit on (iii) for their existence, are successful in doing so. If not they end up being mere smear on the pages of time.
We all are liable to such indiscretions: intentional and unintentional as well, if we are not careful with our views. True, our Constitution accords us the “Freedom of Speech” but while speaking, either through our voiced words or written words, we should remember that the “freedom” is not from the underlying responsibility that comes with it as a “combo-pack”. In trying to utilize the freedom of speech the barrier of responsibility is not to be breached and domain of irresponsibility is better left un-encroached, at least by the educated, in the true sense, people. Issues need to be raised; more so if they have a high controversy quotient, in proper manner at a proper place at a proper time, instead of trying to encash its publicity possibilities. That is, if the corrective measures are really meant and desired.
Thus, when I came across the two articles in Pune Mirror (of TOI, Pune), dt.28th Oct.’09, I was stunned, to say the least. One has the excerpts from the book “Who Killed Karkare” by the honourable former IG Police, Maharashtra, Mr.S.M.Mushrif and the second one, a review of the book by Dr.Sumit.S.Paul.
As we approach the day of 26/11 a year after the deplorable acts of indefinable magnitude, I can’t quite express the feelings welling up within and so it is, I am sure with all my fellow citizens. I have no words to express my solidarity with the people who have lost their loved ones in the incident. But I am with them, for sure, in however minuscule way possible. All of us, as a whole nation and human-beings have lost our fellow beings (there were many non-Indians too at the receiving end of the massacre) and I pray to the almighty to empower them with more strength, to combat their grief, that they have been doing so courageously for the past one-year.
And to decide to pass his own judgement, in the form of his explosive book, to “shed light” on the “factual” happenings: I don’t know how responsible it is. We don’t want to see light in an explosion. We already have had too many real ones and now we want to be spared of the metaphorical one too.
I do not want to question the authenticity of the data he has been supplied with, which he has compiled in the form of the book and complied with his urge to tell the whole world about the “actual” culprits. I am not that qualified nor do I have the requisite privileged information. But I too want to utilize my freedom of speech, as I can’t refrain from asking the following questions:
(a) Whether the case pertaining to the whole chain of spine chilling incidents of 26/11 has been completed & the real and authorized judge has passed the judgement?
I think not. The court of enquiry has not yet been closed.
(b) If so, then the matter is subjudice , pending with the specific court of law.
Under the circumstances coming up with a book with parallel views on the issues (sorry, I haven’t read the book as yet but as much I could envisage from the excerpt) on a subjudice matter is nothing short of “contempt of court”(as much as I know about it).
(c) If he really wants to bring the truth out in the open in the truest of senses, why didn’t he go to “the court” with his findings?
(d) By his insinuations, the evidences collected by various investigating agencies: international as well, and most importantly the FBI; and theories forwarded subsequently by them will be projected as false, at least partially. Did he meet with them and try to “dispel their notion” based on “their less than accurate findings”? He has said that IB will not help in his mission of unraveling the truth. But what about the FBI? He could have surely talked to them. Or has he?
(e) He has tried to solve the mystery of who killed the top cop Hemant Karkare. In that he has adjudged the “Brahminists” (for the first time I was made aware of the existence of such a sect and for that I am really thankful to Mr.Mushrif) as culprits and those as “criminals” who carried out the rest of the very meticulously planned heinous chain of events. Well, it has been proved beyond doubt that our friendly neighbouring nation was involved in it, at least indirectly by allowing the perpetrators use of their soil for the entire planning, if not directly by supplying them with the necessary logistics (that they are strongly denying).
So does Mr.Mushrif wants to state that the evil spirits from the neighbouring nation joined hands with their religious and ideological rivals, “Brahminists” in this country and worked in cahoots sending the “criminals” for the purpose to our country? Does he mean to say, the murder of Hemant Karkare formed a part of the planned mass murders of innocent people? Then how are the “Brahminits” different from his “criminals”, as all perpetrators of crime are criminals in the broad sense? And then who are terrorists? Definitely who spread terror by their dastardly acts. So is spreading terror not a crime? By redefining of terms, as I perceive (I might be wrong), has he not ended up lessening, if not obliterating, the participation of our neighbouring nation? And if so, what message will it carry to the world as a whole when they are trying to help us out on this matter?
Questions can be aplenty. I too have a compelling one, that which has disturbed me for the past one-year: why the three top cops, heads of three different wings, the slained Hemant Karkare, Vijay Salaskar and Ashok Kamte were moving together? Who had given them the orders to go to the same place at the same time in unison? What was the logic behind centralizing/localizing all three, instead of decentralizing them and allowing them the freedom to plan counter attacks from three different sides? God only knows, but I feel in that circumstance they wouldn’t have, at least not all three of them, met with such a cruel fate.
I too can add two and two to get four, but I refrain from doing so, as my retroanalyses might lead me to different two’s than the actual ones in action and would thus make my arrived at four to be inaccurate.
So instead of passing my judgement on a subjudice matter, that which is not pending at my court of law, I pray that the real perpetrators are brought to book via a process that will not utilize the religion of the people concerned as a tool to either falsely implicate them or illegitimately exonerate them. Only then the souls of the departed will rest in peace. My religion, as a true Indian, has this indelible philosophy and ideology imprinted on my heart, soul and mind. And I am sure, so it is with the majority of the fellow citizens. We want justice to be delivered. This is the least that could be done to assuage the pain of the still mourning families and a bleeding nation as a whole.
Lastly coming to the terminal lines of Dr.Paul’s review of the book. He has urged us to read the book, not to discard it and even if we do not agree with the author, we should challenge his views and not the individual. Dr.Paul further states that the sign of an educated and enlightened mind is to entertain an idea, even though one doesn’t agree with it. Very true. Though, I don’t know whether I am properly educated and posses an enlightened mind, at least in this context. But I do know that I wouldn’t have written a book on a subjudice matter. If I had the requisite information worth vouching for, I would have gone to the court of law.
Yes, I challenge this very concept of the author. I challenge the prudence of writing such a book in an already volatile situation. True, the urge to proclaim self, as a judge, is an irresistible lure. But writing a book (which is a finished product of a reaction) on a subjudice matter (which implies the reaction is still in progress), can be LEADING, MISLEADING or MANIFESTATION OF PREJUDICE, if not CONTEMPT OF COURT.
Sushmita Mukherjee,
21st November 2009
We are all self-proclaimed judges, albeit to a varying degree. Simply because we are judgemental. But “judgement” means, as per the dictionary (yes, again that sacred book which is indispensable to me and without its help I refrain from using words: from fear of misinterpretation on the part of the readers and unintentional distortion of views and facts that need to be expressed, on my part!), “ability to make sound decisions”; while “judgemental” is scripted as adj (i) of judgement, (ii) being overly critical of others.
Whence I don’t know whether “being judgemental” can qualify at all as a positive trait. “Judgemental” can indicate towards a positive lineage only if the judgement is a judgement in the true sense (which it seldom is when one is judgemental) and not a proxy, which is primarily based on hearsay and prejudices. Judges are supposed to pass sound judgements instead of being judgemental. Judgemental, brings an element of self-involvement and makes it all the more difficult to elevate the self beyond the horizon of “bias”.
We as human-beings, on being exposed to various happenings: from downright mundane to outright adrenalin pumping----come up with theories behind it. We pass our judgement on the role of the participant/s and the validity or otherwise of the incident/s.
Theorizing, which we as students of Chemistry do quite a bit, is an outcome of, either or combination or all, the following factors:
(i) Generalisation :- When the same outcome is had from similar ingredients: participants, circumstances etc., we generalize that given the similar situation, the interaction between amimate or animate & inanimate subjects will yield the same result.
(ii) Retroanalysis:- Analysis done in retrospect . It is somewhat analogous to generalization, rather is its precursor, differs a bit in as much as a generalization is laid only when it attains the tag of “ being unarguably true” after innumerable analyses & retroanalyes. In analyses we need to keep an open mind instead of being rigid. We shouldn’t be afraid to find faults in our assessment of the situation. Rather should be our own biggest critic, as it is quite possible that we might be wrong (to err is human). Only then, possibly, we will attain the absolute truth.
(iii) Call of Prejudice:- This makes us do things which we deem to be correct. Prejudice blurs our vision with a wrong notion that we are right and others are wrong. We wish to see events unfurl according to our thought-to-be correct way/s. We want others to behave as per our dictates (doesn’t that make us dictators?!). If they fail to do so, we adjudge them to be in the wrong. All this because prejudice as a word, ‘has its root’, if I am not wrong, in “prejudge” which means “to form a judgement before knowing all the facts”, while “prejudice” is “an opinion based not on reason or experience”. In other words, being predisposed /pre-committed towards a particular judgement irrespective of the facts, which aren’t cared to be considered in totality.
Thus, prejudice leads to bias, rather is synonymous. Whence theories when lean upon (i) more, with help from (ii) but not entirely on (ii) and definitely not even a bit on (iii) for their existence, are successful in doing so. If not they end up being mere smear on the pages of time.
We all are liable to such indiscretions: intentional and unintentional as well, if we are not careful with our views. True, our Constitution accords us the “Freedom of Speech” but while speaking, either through our voiced words or written words, we should remember that the “freedom” is not from the underlying responsibility that comes with it as a “combo-pack”. In trying to utilize the freedom of speech the barrier of responsibility is not to be breached and domain of irresponsibility is better left un-encroached, at least by the educated, in the true sense, people. Issues need to be raised; more so if they have a high controversy quotient, in proper manner at a proper place at a proper time, instead of trying to encash its publicity possibilities. That is, if the corrective measures are really meant and desired.
Thus, when I came across the two articles in Pune Mirror (of TOI, Pune), dt.28th Oct.’09, I was stunned, to say the least. One has the excerpts from the book “Who Killed Karkare” by the honourable former IG Police, Maharashtra, Mr.S.M.Mushrif and the second one, a review of the book by Dr.Sumit.S.Paul.
As we approach the day of 26/11 a year after the deplorable acts of indefinable magnitude, I can’t quite express the feelings welling up within and so it is, I am sure with all my fellow citizens. I have no words to express my solidarity with the people who have lost their loved ones in the incident. But I am with them, for sure, in however minuscule way possible. All of us, as a whole nation and human-beings have lost our fellow beings (there were many non-Indians too at the receiving end of the massacre) and I pray to the almighty to empower them with more strength, to combat their grief, that they have been doing so courageously for the past one-year.
And to decide to pass his own judgement, in the form of his explosive book, to “shed light” on the “factual” happenings: I don’t know how responsible it is. We don’t want to see light in an explosion. We already have had too many real ones and now we want to be spared of the metaphorical one too.
I do not want to question the authenticity of the data he has been supplied with, which he has compiled in the form of the book and complied with his urge to tell the whole world about the “actual” culprits. I am not that qualified nor do I have the requisite privileged information. But I too want to utilize my freedom of speech, as I can’t refrain from asking the following questions:
(a) Whether the case pertaining to the whole chain of spine chilling incidents of 26/11 has been completed & the real and authorized judge has passed the judgement?
I think not. The court of enquiry has not yet been closed.
(b) If so, then the matter is subjudice , pending with the specific court of law.
Under the circumstances coming up with a book with parallel views on the issues (sorry, I haven’t read the book as yet but as much I could envisage from the excerpt) on a subjudice matter is nothing short of “contempt of court”(as much as I know about it).
(c) If he really wants to bring the truth out in the open in the truest of senses, why didn’t he go to “the court” with his findings?
(d) By his insinuations, the evidences collected by various investigating agencies: international as well, and most importantly the FBI; and theories forwarded subsequently by them will be projected as false, at least partially. Did he meet with them and try to “dispel their notion” based on “their less than accurate findings”? He has said that IB will not help in his mission of unraveling the truth. But what about the FBI? He could have surely talked to them. Or has he?
(e) He has tried to solve the mystery of who killed the top cop Hemant Karkare. In that he has adjudged the “Brahminists” (for the first time I was made aware of the existence of such a sect and for that I am really thankful to Mr.Mushrif) as culprits and those as “criminals” who carried out the rest of the very meticulously planned heinous chain of events. Well, it has been proved beyond doubt that our friendly neighbouring nation was involved in it, at least indirectly by allowing the perpetrators use of their soil for the entire planning, if not directly by supplying them with the necessary logistics (that they are strongly denying).
So does Mr.Mushrif wants to state that the evil spirits from the neighbouring nation joined hands with their religious and ideological rivals, “Brahminists” in this country and worked in cahoots sending the “criminals” for the purpose to our country? Does he mean to say, the murder of Hemant Karkare formed a part of the planned mass murders of innocent people? Then how are the “Brahminits” different from his “criminals”, as all perpetrators of crime are criminals in the broad sense? And then who are terrorists? Definitely who spread terror by their dastardly acts. So is spreading terror not a crime? By redefining of terms, as I perceive (I might be wrong), has he not ended up lessening, if not obliterating, the participation of our neighbouring nation? And if so, what message will it carry to the world as a whole when they are trying to help us out on this matter?
Questions can be aplenty. I too have a compelling one, that which has disturbed me for the past one-year: why the three top cops, heads of three different wings, the slained Hemant Karkare, Vijay Salaskar and Ashok Kamte were moving together? Who had given them the orders to go to the same place at the same time in unison? What was the logic behind centralizing/localizing all three, instead of decentralizing them and allowing them the freedom to plan counter attacks from three different sides? God only knows, but I feel in that circumstance they wouldn’t have, at least not all three of them, met with such a cruel fate.
I too can add two and two to get four, but I refrain from doing so, as my retroanalyses might lead me to different two’s than the actual ones in action and would thus make my arrived at four to be inaccurate.
So instead of passing my judgement on a subjudice matter, that which is not pending at my court of law, I pray that the real perpetrators are brought to book via a process that will not utilize the religion of the people concerned as a tool to either falsely implicate them or illegitimately exonerate them. Only then the souls of the departed will rest in peace. My religion, as a true Indian, has this indelible philosophy and ideology imprinted on my heart, soul and mind. And I am sure, so it is with the majority of the fellow citizens. We want justice to be delivered. This is the least that could be done to assuage the pain of the still mourning families and a bleeding nation as a whole.
Lastly coming to the terminal lines of Dr.Paul’s review of the book. He has urged us to read the book, not to discard it and even if we do not agree with the author, we should challenge his views and not the individual. Dr.Paul further states that the sign of an educated and enlightened mind is to entertain an idea, even though one doesn’t agree with it. Very true. Though, I don’t know whether I am properly educated and posses an enlightened mind, at least in this context. But I do know that I wouldn’t have written a book on a subjudice matter. If I had the requisite information worth vouching for, I would have gone to the court of law.
Yes, I challenge this very concept of the author. I challenge the prudence of writing such a book in an already volatile situation. True, the urge to proclaim self, as a judge, is an irresistible lure. But writing a book (which is a finished product of a reaction) on a subjudice matter (which implies the reaction is still in progress), can be LEADING, MISLEADING or MANIFESTATION OF PREJUDICE, if not CONTEMPT OF COURT.
Sushmita Mukherjee,
21st November 2009
The Dilemma of Innovation
The Dilemma of Innovation
If necessity is the mother of invention then the urge to improve is the father of innovation.
As per the dictionary, when something new is introduced it is known as innovation. But when does the need to improve arise? Though as such one doesn’t need any reasons to improve. The term improvement, catalyses its own cause. Still it is dearly wished for, specifically, under the circumstances when the existing situation is either incapable of explaining things pertaining to the matter or falls short of absolute clarification. When faced with such predicament we try to come up with new and additional parameters: applying novel methodology, to overcome the barrier of “in-complete” understanding; even “mis-understanding” falls in that category!
If the quantum of luck is loaded heavily in our favour, we are successful and thus applauded for our innovation/s. We then are labeled as being innovative persons. Well, I too thought that my case would not be an exception (as far as acceptance was concerned). But till date, being faced with the contrary, I am being forced to repose my faith in: “ Exception proves the rule”!
All of you might be asking yourselves directly and me, indirectly, as to what I am trying to state? It is simple. I too tried to innovate and bring about a long awaited change, which unfortunately has still not been accepted, even though it has not been rejected outright as such! Well, it is always better to reject something by keeping mum on the project instead of directly saying no! Forsaking it in the wake of the “crippling power of negativity”! So without saying no, they are transmitting the very implication. But then I do believe in the “power of positive thinking”, as they do too, having proved so by not saying “no”! The identity of “they” shall be made clear subsequently.
Well, I didn’t do any crime by trying to innovate as it is being made out to be. I simply have tried and shall continue in this endeavour of mine, to dispel the wrong notion people have about the subject of Chemistry. It would be more appropriate to state that I am trying to tell people that their inhibition for the subject is because of an illusion that I intend to dispel. When I was a student, I had felt my mates’ discomfort with the subject, which I didn’t. Thankfully. Though it was so because I got the best teacher, one could imagine of. Naturally, Chemistry was a subject not to be shunned but to be admired, to me. More so because it served as the window of understanding finer nuances of life as well. To me, Life and Chemistry have intermingled so homogenously that it is impossible for me to draw a “line of control” between the two!
Also as a teacher now, I find students initially appalled by the subject. This incidentally seems paradoxical to me. Why do they take Chemistry if they have such an impression of it? Well, that’s besides the point. Seeing the unaltered feeling for the subject from my student days till now as a teacher and being armed with the answers to unlock the mystery surrounding the subject of Chemistry, I want to share what I know, what I keep on accumulating as time progresses, for the benefit of all. This is a truly selfless intention on my part. Well, generally all innovations are so, barring the ones used for destructive purposes.
You might ask as to how I planned to do it, who would benefit from it, how would it happen; I would like to answer chronologically.
(i)I enlisted my experiences, gathered as a student and later as a teacher in a classroom, till date. They surprisingly had immense similarities with the chemical happenings. So much so that they could be analogized. Thus theories of Chemistry could explain our day-to-day to experiences and vice-versa. I decided to give a shape to my realizations and share the benefits of my understanding. And in trying to do so I ended up creating a book. Written with the best of interests in my heart and mind. Naturally, now I need someone to publish it.
(ii) Speaking of its “benefit quotient” and range of applicability, primary thing it will do is remove the inhibitive halo surrounding the subject. I have heard umpteenth times that “Chemistry is a boring subject. Requires cramming and whence, naturally is felt to be boring and repulsive”. Well, there couldn’t be anything more inappropriate. To me cramming is memorizing without understanding which can have only one outcome: indigestion! The approach towards the subject has to change.
Thus students, who are having and will have in the near and distant future, a harrowing time with it, will find it a handy handbook. An illusion-dispelling manual.
Teachers too stand to benefit, if they are open to the idea of looking at things from a different angle. I don’t intend to say that they have to follow all what has been put down by me. I never for once, mean disrespect to teachers. It is just that they might find a new window, providing a different view, which allows them to think differently. We evolve everyday and if this evolution is for the betterment, then the theory of profit and loss impels us to embrace the profit!
The next area wherein the manual of my ideas might make its presence felt is our regular dealings with our fellow human beings .
(iii) It might seem that I have taken leave of my senses. Yes I have been termed “abnormal” time and again. But to prove my point I need to be heard through my written words. That is why I wrote this book. It is a book having a concrete manuscript, though time and again still being edited by me. Why I say that it has been written with the best of interests is the fact that it is the fact! I felt that by sharing my thoughts I would be giving back the subject something, that has given me so much. Well, I can never dare to quantify what I have got but at least I can try and help others to love the subject so that its appeal increases and subsequently, followers too.
I know for sure the potential of the book, which is a result of innumerable retro analyses and high percentage of successful predictions.
Apart from the student and teachers of the subject, we human beings as such stand to learn a lot from it with respect to the human behaviour. Human bonding, in other terms, relationship (check my blog “relationship” on page, http://introspection.rediffiland.com) or lack of it too, can be explained with quite a bit of accuracy. I take guarantee of that. That is why I refrain from calling it a book of Chemistry. Rather it is a book on Life from the angle of Chemistry and vice-versa. So it would be foolish to bind it in the realms of Chemistry. It transcends all boundaries.
But for all of this to happen the book needs to be published. The reputed publishers, some whom I had contacted earlier, don’t want to take the risk of taking up the project, which they think will incur a huge loss. I can understand the predicament of the publishers and what I state here is with due regards to them. After all who spares a moment of thought for a mad person who is a writer by passion and not by profession.
Though at the moment I am in talks with some of them. I want myself to be taken seriously only because of the potential of the book and its wide range of applicability. It is not that this is my first writing. There are many but I am not trying to promote them or publish them. They are merely my thoughts. But this one, I know will be beneficial to many. So this ardent desire to publish it.
I was even asked to frame it in the prose form with a flowing style. With due regards to the suggestion, since I didn’t know how such a topic could acquire the form of a prose, I did the best I could thereof to suit the requirement. I am thankful to that person for the suggestion, as I could know what was lacking. But then I tackled it in a way I felt appropriate for the cause.
In this regard, people find it easier to flow with the stream of conventional writings and when translated to authors, established ones. The impulse to invest in an amateur author, that too with an abstract idea will be in the negative that I do understand, with due regards to the publishers and the various vagaries of the publishing world. But still I don’t understand this high degree of difficulty in accepting innovations. Why? Is it because of inertia of apprehension? It seems that “no” is a reflex answer. An amateur will remain so, an eternal debutante, unless given the first chance to shed that tag.
And in my case, deadly innovation coming from a first-timer is a seemingly hopeless situation! Two negatives do not make positive always! Thus I have landed myself in a dilemma: as to what to do which to use my manuscript for the desired purpose; all because of my innovations. I never envisaged that an innovation leads to a dilemma, and even if I had, it is true, I wouldn’t have shelved this project. It has consumed much of my sparse time that I have happily devoted, and continues to do so. But for a good cause. And now it is up to you all to put and end to my Dilemma of Innovation. This can so happen only in if it culminates in publishing. All other means of getting it published have met with roadblocks till now.
This is a petition to help me out in this endeavour to end the dilemma, otherwise people will think not twice, but many times before innovating. Innovations if aborted, prohibit the birth of conventions.
SUSHMITA MUKHERJEE,
16th December, 2009
If necessity is the mother of invention then the urge to improve is the father of innovation.
As per the dictionary, when something new is introduced it is known as innovation. But when does the need to improve arise? Though as such one doesn’t need any reasons to improve. The term improvement, catalyses its own cause. Still it is dearly wished for, specifically, under the circumstances when the existing situation is either incapable of explaining things pertaining to the matter or falls short of absolute clarification. When faced with such predicament we try to come up with new and additional parameters: applying novel methodology, to overcome the barrier of “in-complete” understanding; even “mis-understanding” falls in that category!
If the quantum of luck is loaded heavily in our favour, we are successful and thus applauded for our innovation/s. We then are labeled as being innovative persons. Well, I too thought that my case would not be an exception (as far as acceptance was concerned). But till date, being faced with the contrary, I am being forced to repose my faith in: “ Exception proves the rule”!
All of you might be asking yourselves directly and me, indirectly, as to what I am trying to state? It is simple. I too tried to innovate and bring about a long awaited change, which unfortunately has still not been accepted, even though it has not been rejected outright as such! Well, it is always better to reject something by keeping mum on the project instead of directly saying no! Forsaking it in the wake of the “crippling power of negativity”! So without saying no, they are transmitting the very implication. But then I do believe in the “power of positive thinking”, as they do too, having proved so by not saying “no”! The identity of “they” shall be made clear subsequently.
Well, I didn’t do any crime by trying to innovate as it is being made out to be. I simply have tried and shall continue in this endeavour of mine, to dispel the wrong notion people have about the subject of Chemistry. It would be more appropriate to state that I am trying to tell people that their inhibition for the subject is because of an illusion that I intend to dispel. When I was a student, I had felt my mates’ discomfort with the subject, which I didn’t. Thankfully. Though it was so because I got the best teacher, one could imagine of. Naturally, Chemistry was a subject not to be shunned but to be admired, to me. More so because it served as the window of understanding finer nuances of life as well. To me, Life and Chemistry have intermingled so homogenously that it is impossible for me to draw a “line of control” between the two!
Also as a teacher now, I find students initially appalled by the subject. This incidentally seems paradoxical to me. Why do they take Chemistry if they have such an impression of it? Well, that’s besides the point. Seeing the unaltered feeling for the subject from my student days till now as a teacher and being armed with the answers to unlock the mystery surrounding the subject of Chemistry, I want to share what I know, what I keep on accumulating as time progresses, for the benefit of all. This is a truly selfless intention on my part. Well, generally all innovations are so, barring the ones used for destructive purposes.
You might ask as to how I planned to do it, who would benefit from it, how would it happen; I would like to answer chronologically.
(i)I enlisted my experiences, gathered as a student and later as a teacher in a classroom, till date. They surprisingly had immense similarities with the chemical happenings. So much so that they could be analogized. Thus theories of Chemistry could explain our day-to-day to experiences and vice-versa. I decided to give a shape to my realizations and share the benefits of my understanding. And in trying to do so I ended up creating a book. Written with the best of interests in my heart and mind. Naturally, now I need someone to publish it.
(ii) Speaking of its “benefit quotient” and range of applicability, primary thing it will do is remove the inhibitive halo surrounding the subject. I have heard umpteenth times that “Chemistry is a boring subject. Requires cramming and whence, naturally is felt to be boring and repulsive”. Well, there couldn’t be anything more inappropriate. To me cramming is memorizing without understanding which can have only one outcome: indigestion! The approach towards the subject has to change.
Thus students, who are having and will have in the near and distant future, a harrowing time with it, will find it a handy handbook. An illusion-dispelling manual.
Teachers too stand to benefit, if they are open to the idea of looking at things from a different angle. I don’t intend to say that they have to follow all what has been put down by me. I never for once, mean disrespect to teachers. It is just that they might find a new window, providing a different view, which allows them to think differently. We evolve everyday and if this evolution is for the betterment, then the theory of profit and loss impels us to embrace the profit!
The next area wherein the manual of my ideas might make its presence felt is our regular dealings with our fellow human beings .
(iii) It might seem that I have taken leave of my senses. Yes I have been termed “abnormal” time and again. But to prove my point I need to be heard through my written words. That is why I wrote this book. It is a book having a concrete manuscript, though time and again still being edited by me. Why I say that it has been written with the best of interests is the fact that it is the fact! I felt that by sharing my thoughts I would be giving back the subject something, that has given me so much. Well, I can never dare to quantify what I have got but at least I can try and help others to love the subject so that its appeal increases and subsequently, followers too.
I know for sure the potential of the book, which is a result of innumerable retro analyses and high percentage of successful predictions.
Apart from the student and teachers of the subject, we human beings as such stand to learn a lot from it with respect to the human behaviour. Human bonding, in other terms, relationship (check my blog “relationship” on page, http://introspection.rediffiland.com) or lack of it too, can be explained with quite a bit of accuracy. I take guarantee of that. That is why I refrain from calling it a book of Chemistry. Rather it is a book on Life from the angle of Chemistry and vice-versa. So it would be foolish to bind it in the realms of Chemistry. It transcends all boundaries.
But for all of this to happen the book needs to be published. The reputed publishers, some whom I had contacted earlier, don’t want to take the risk of taking up the project, which they think will incur a huge loss. I can understand the predicament of the publishers and what I state here is with due regards to them. After all who spares a moment of thought for a mad person who is a writer by passion and not by profession.
Though at the moment I am in talks with some of them. I want myself to be taken seriously only because of the potential of the book and its wide range of applicability. It is not that this is my first writing. There are many but I am not trying to promote them or publish them. They are merely my thoughts. But this one, I know will be beneficial to many. So this ardent desire to publish it.
I was even asked to frame it in the prose form with a flowing style. With due regards to the suggestion, since I didn’t know how such a topic could acquire the form of a prose, I did the best I could thereof to suit the requirement. I am thankful to that person for the suggestion, as I could know what was lacking. But then I tackled it in a way I felt appropriate for the cause.
In this regard, people find it easier to flow with the stream of conventional writings and when translated to authors, established ones. The impulse to invest in an amateur author, that too with an abstract idea will be in the negative that I do understand, with due regards to the publishers and the various vagaries of the publishing world. But still I don’t understand this high degree of difficulty in accepting innovations. Why? Is it because of inertia of apprehension? It seems that “no” is a reflex answer. An amateur will remain so, an eternal debutante, unless given the first chance to shed that tag.
And in my case, deadly innovation coming from a first-timer is a seemingly hopeless situation! Two negatives do not make positive always! Thus I have landed myself in a dilemma: as to what to do which to use my manuscript for the desired purpose; all because of my innovations. I never envisaged that an innovation leads to a dilemma, and even if I had, it is true, I wouldn’t have shelved this project. It has consumed much of my sparse time that I have happily devoted, and continues to do so. But for a good cause. And now it is up to you all to put and end to my Dilemma of Innovation. This can so happen only in if it culminates in publishing. All other means of getting it published have met with roadblocks till now.
This is a petition to help me out in this endeavour to end the dilemma, otherwise people will think not twice, but many times before innovating. Innovations if aborted, prohibit the birth of conventions.
SUSHMITA MUKHERJEE,
16th December, 2009
Economics of Economy
Economics of Economy
The status of our country is now defined in terms of “inflation” and “growth”. Various analyses are being incessantly forwarded in validation of these arrived at conclusive definitions. The advent of a plethora of TV channels, private, is deemed “a must” for creating awareness amongst us, the common people, regarding the supposed “burning issue”. True, burning issue it is, but not in the sense it is being projected. Rather the “literal implications” would be a better advertisement, as it is literally burning the wallets!
I cannot quite fathom the depth of such in-depth analyses that we invariably find ourselves subjected to whenever we switch on our television sets. As I am a person of the “chemical field”, my neurons are not that receptive to finance. So I am at a loss when confronted with such discussions. Instead of appreciating the efforts of the people, experts of their field: who try to so hard to explain such “terms” with respect to their implications and applicability, I end up more confused. Confused because I do at least tackle my own finances necessitated by my required visits to the market. It is here that the disparity between what is being projected and what we are actually facing, comes to the fore. Thus the aura of the percentage analyses compounds the confusion.
Inflation, the word, is sourced to “inflate”, which means an amorous increment over the present status (of the parameter under consideration). Inflation is noted as price increase. Whereas, every other day, we are being informed that the rate of inflation has touched a record low. Then quite inconspicuously the statement is reversed projecting an upward inflation.
This swinging projection of inflation has left me perplexed. And further inexplicably India is in the forefront of the countries with “Growing Economy”. We too are concerned with “Economy” & “Inflation” & “Growth”. And we’ve a right to know as well. True, we do not understand the technical jargon but are being forced to face the hard ground reality. We can feel the severe pinch on our pockets when the hard earned money is being drained without allowing us any scope to provide a friction on this flow! We have been reduced to mere hapless martyrs at the altar of our growing economy.
Let us consider some of the basic realities affecting all, though the extent might vary. The price of 1kg “potato”, the maximum consumed vegetable, crossed the Rs 20 mark and even hovered around Rs 30. Onions, have activated the lachrymal glands manifold with its pricing at Rs 36-40/kg. Other vegetables too are not lagging behind. Pulses have hit the century mark with cereals too vying for a high score. Cooking oil with its price makes one wish to be endowed with talent so as to cook without oil! All other edibles are gradually stretching people to their limits.
I refrain from mentioning the state of the non-vegetarian items to make this petition universal in applicability.
Then there is the case of drug pricing. Drugs too are giving all other essential goods a run for their money.
Herein I have restricted myself to one of the most rudimentary requirements, edibles.
Amidst all this mayhem the poor common man is made to run from pillar to post. And at the end of the day is left panting like an overworked Alsatian!
Just imagine, with India having a huge population below the poverty line (BPL), what these people are being subjected to, if we, the middle class, are hit so badly. Without having an even a proper shelter, they have been rendered miserable with the price of essential and elementary (just imagine, potato has become a big revenue generator leaving these hapless people wondering!) goods skyrocketing.
Yes, I am aware of the “Supply & Demand Theory”, with the parameters having an inverse relation. Given the exponential rise in population, demand will always be much greater than the produce and availability of the goods. This naturally implies that there should be a sharp increase in the prices. But to what extent? Is the rate of increase infinite?
Leave aside the increase of prices and its extent. This I can understand to some extent. But what intrigues me is the correlation between this mindless price rise vis-à-vis economy and growth. When the lower middle class and the middle class is finding hard to make ends meet, India’s economy is growing! True, even people BPL are surviving. “How”, is nobody’s lookout. The natural instinct and craving for survival is keeping them afloat and not their affluence. So is there any need, even to try, to bring down the prices?
Here I have focused only on food and drug. The trend is seen to be prevalent in matters of covering (clothing) themselves and procuring a shelter (house). All taken together, this presents not a rosy picture of an economic growth, but a frightening proposition, of decimating such people.
I don’t understand anything of conventional economics. But I do know that people don’t buy luxury items everyday; even those who can, don’t. But yes, goods of daily needs need to be bought: both by people who, can, and even those who can’t! Those who can’t are forced to spend beyond their limits to survive. It is not the affluence of the affluent, which makes any difference to the growth of the economy. They will spend, without any stress, under any circumstances.
It is the major cross-section of people below that level, who should decide the economic growth. Nobody buys a TV, refrigerator, air-conditioner etc., daily. But everybody has to buy edibles and medicines. These are essential and emergency items.
So if the price of the essential goods were increased there would be a sharp growth of the market. But the saddest and the cruelest part is the “manipulated projection” of economic growth. People are being forced to spend more, which is being deliberately advertised as an enhanced spending capacity, as a manipulated extrapolation. This in turn implies an increase in the income. Though salaries have been hiked but so has the market rate, which has increased for one and all. But the fact remains that the pay packets of all have not been graced by increment. There are sections of the society who have been denied of this blessing of bulkier pay packet. But given the universality of the increase in the market rate, they now stand cursed by this exorbitant price rise.
Do they, rather all of us, have any option but to accept the situation and aid in “such” a growth of our country’s economy?
If the spending capacity of the citizens is one of the parameters on which the economic growth depends, then isn’t India’s economic growth manipulated? If not in totality, at least even partially? The motto seems to be: increase the price of essentials, force people to buy them by spending their hard-earned money and project a country whose citizens are apparently so well-to-do that the economy is thriving.
When common man is barely surviving, how can that country be on the path of a growing economy?
Though I am not a person of Economics, I am not economical with my words. And though I do understand price rise to be an inevitable outcome of population blast, I do not understand how this can be the reason of economic growth.
I would definitely like to get under the skin of this Economics of Economy. So long I don’t have the answers, to me, this projected economic growth is nothing but an outcome of manipulation mechanism.
Sushmita Mukherjee,
23rd December, 2009.
The status of our country is now defined in terms of “inflation” and “growth”. Various analyses are being incessantly forwarded in validation of these arrived at conclusive definitions. The advent of a plethora of TV channels, private, is deemed “a must” for creating awareness amongst us, the common people, regarding the supposed “burning issue”. True, burning issue it is, but not in the sense it is being projected. Rather the “literal implications” would be a better advertisement, as it is literally burning the wallets!
I cannot quite fathom the depth of such in-depth analyses that we invariably find ourselves subjected to whenever we switch on our television sets. As I am a person of the “chemical field”, my neurons are not that receptive to finance. So I am at a loss when confronted with such discussions. Instead of appreciating the efforts of the people, experts of their field: who try to so hard to explain such “terms” with respect to their implications and applicability, I end up more confused. Confused because I do at least tackle my own finances necessitated by my required visits to the market. It is here that the disparity between what is being projected and what we are actually facing, comes to the fore. Thus the aura of the percentage analyses compounds the confusion.
Inflation, the word, is sourced to “inflate”, which means an amorous increment over the present status (of the parameter under consideration). Inflation is noted as price increase. Whereas, every other day, we are being informed that the rate of inflation has touched a record low. Then quite inconspicuously the statement is reversed projecting an upward inflation.
This swinging projection of inflation has left me perplexed. And further inexplicably India is in the forefront of the countries with “Growing Economy”. We too are concerned with “Economy” & “Inflation” & “Growth”. And we’ve a right to know as well. True, we do not understand the technical jargon but are being forced to face the hard ground reality. We can feel the severe pinch on our pockets when the hard earned money is being drained without allowing us any scope to provide a friction on this flow! We have been reduced to mere hapless martyrs at the altar of our growing economy.
Let us consider some of the basic realities affecting all, though the extent might vary. The price of 1kg “potato”, the maximum consumed vegetable, crossed the Rs 20 mark and even hovered around Rs 30. Onions, have activated the lachrymal glands manifold with its pricing at Rs 36-40/kg. Other vegetables too are not lagging behind. Pulses have hit the century mark with cereals too vying for a high score. Cooking oil with its price makes one wish to be endowed with talent so as to cook without oil! All other edibles are gradually stretching people to their limits.
I refrain from mentioning the state of the non-vegetarian items to make this petition universal in applicability.
Then there is the case of drug pricing. Drugs too are giving all other essential goods a run for their money.
Herein I have restricted myself to one of the most rudimentary requirements, edibles.
Amidst all this mayhem the poor common man is made to run from pillar to post. And at the end of the day is left panting like an overworked Alsatian!
Just imagine, with India having a huge population below the poverty line (BPL), what these people are being subjected to, if we, the middle class, are hit so badly. Without having an even a proper shelter, they have been rendered miserable with the price of essential and elementary (just imagine, potato has become a big revenue generator leaving these hapless people wondering!) goods skyrocketing.
Yes, I am aware of the “Supply & Demand Theory”, with the parameters having an inverse relation. Given the exponential rise in population, demand will always be much greater than the produce and availability of the goods. This naturally implies that there should be a sharp increase in the prices. But to what extent? Is the rate of increase infinite?
Leave aside the increase of prices and its extent. This I can understand to some extent. But what intrigues me is the correlation between this mindless price rise vis-à-vis economy and growth. When the lower middle class and the middle class is finding hard to make ends meet, India’s economy is growing! True, even people BPL are surviving. “How”, is nobody’s lookout. The natural instinct and craving for survival is keeping them afloat and not their affluence. So is there any need, even to try, to bring down the prices?
Here I have focused only on food and drug. The trend is seen to be prevalent in matters of covering (clothing) themselves and procuring a shelter (house). All taken together, this presents not a rosy picture of an economic growth, but a frightening proposition, of decimating such people.
I don’t understand anything of conventional economics. But I do know that people don’t buy luxury items everyday; even those who can, don’t. But yes, goods of daily needs need to be bought: both by people who, can, and even those who can’t! Those who can’t are forced to spend beyond their limits to survive. It is not the affluence of the affluent, which makes any difference to the growth of the economy. They will spend, without any stress, under any circumstances.
It is the major cross-section of people below that level, who should decide the economic growth. Nobody buys a TV, refrigerator, air-conditioner etc., daily. But everybody has to buy edibles and medicines. These are essential and emergency items.
So if the price of the essential goods were increased there would be a sharp growth of the market. But the saddest and the cruelest part is the “manipulated projection” of economic growth. People are being forced to spend more, which is being deliberately advertised as an enhanced spending capacity, as a manipulated extrapolation. This in turn implies an increase in the income. Though salaries have been hiked but so has the market rate, which has increased for one and all. But the fact remains that the pay packets of all have not been graced by increment. There are sections of the society who have been denied of this blessing of bulkier pay packet. But given the universality of the increase in the market rate, they now stand cursed by this exorbitant price rise.
Do they, rather all of us, have any option but to accept the situation and aid in “such” a growth of our country’s economy?
If the spending capacity of the citizens is one of the parameters on which the economic growth depends, then isn’t India’s economic growth manipulated? If not in totality, at least even partially? The motto seems to be: increase the price of essentials, force people to buy them by spending their hard-earned money and project a country whose citizens are apparently so well-to-do that the economy is thriving.
When common man is barely surviving, how can that country be on the path of a growing economy?
Though I am not a person of Economics, I am not economical with my words. And though I do understand price rise to be an inevitable outcome of population blast, I do not understand how this can be the reason of economic growth.
I would definitely like to get under the skin of this Economics of Economy. So long I don’t have the answers, to me, this projected economic growth is nothing but an outcome of manipulation mechanism.
Sushmita Mukherjee,
23rd December, 2009.
Intention vs Repercussion
Intention vs Repercussion
The intention of the HRD ministry to do away with the Class-X Board Examination in the CBSE schools by relegating it to the status of “optional”, in lieu of the “soon to be” erstwhile (is to be implemented from the year 2011) “mandatory” must have been based on some valid reasons. The decision makers are all learned people and as long as the policies are introduced with the benefit of the students as the sole catalyst, they shall be welcomed. The future of the country (and the world, when looked at the larger picture) is actually in the hands of the kids of today.
But normally no “vision” that is translated into policy attains its full potential in our country, however well-meaning the policy-makers are. Maybe this is a case of “Statistical Improbability”! Though the purists might disagree with my interpretation of the cause, the glaring evidences can’t be ignored even if various theories are forwarded after the retro-analyses of such instances.
The actual problem lies in the fact that the policy-makers, the people who are entrusted with the job of implementing them and those who become the custodian of the policies by executing the policies are not the same people; they are all different. The same set of people can’t look into the three different aspects simultaneously. The inherent impossibility requires decentralization of the labour to see the fruition of the policy. But whether the policy will fully blossom into a beautiful flower or will have a stunted blooming depends upon the intent and sincerity of the people involved.
The policy-makers, having envisioned the idea, have an attachment with it like their own baby. But the ones who implement these to be subsequently executed by the executors need to share the same vision by being sincere in their share of the work. But this seldom is the case even if the policy-makers come with some great policies with the best of intentions. Thus the chain either breaks completely or loses intensity and direction.
I am apprehensive of this very fate awaiting the decision of abolishing the Class-X Board Examination by the HRD ministry. Well, this is not a negative thinking which it might apparently seem to be. “Frequent occurrences of coincidences lead to generalization”- to quote myself! As then coincidences lose their identity. Still I am keeping my fingers crossed!
While formulating the policy it has been decided that there shall be internal assessment through Class-IX and Class-X. The assessment is being called Continuous and Comprehensive Evaluation, CCE, spread out over a specified number of class tests and evaluation procedures. I quite agree with the method, as the continuous evaluation will necessitate a student to be regular with the studies.
But the problem lies in it’s implemention by the schools concerned. The interpretation of the policy should not be ambiguous, rather be absolute to maintain parity and thus avoid victimization of students of different schools.
Furthermore, the most fearsome factor here is the party who will execute it—the teachers. Yes, you have read the last sentence absolutely correctly! I would be a hypocrite, if I ignore this fact I myself being a teacher.
Teachers, though not all but a very high percentage of them, have forgotten their “actual calling”. Rather it would be more correct to say that instead of educating the kids in the true sense, they consider “minting money” their actual vocation. Their main aim is to “earn” and not make students “learn” the nuances of the subject, leave aside helping in the character building of the students.
I am aware of the various methods they adopt to coerce the students of their own school in enrolling for private tuitions with them in spite of the kid’s utmost dislike for and disillusionment regards, the teacher. If they dare to defy, they face the wrath of the teacher in the form of “being failed” in the examination or secure very less marks (that is if they are lucky enough).
Still do you feel that my fears are misplaced? The absolute powers in the hands of the “in-house” teachers might boomerang. There is multitude of options with varying degree of corresponding misappropriation. Situation can become highly volatile given the deceit and conceit prevalent, shamefully and unpardonably in this “once” noble profession.
Though the policy is worth a try and I also know that it will have its teething troubles, I think it should primarily incorporate a “rider” on the assessment powers of the executors—the teachers. Maybe by creating a panel of teachers in each school, comprising of a select few of unimpeachable integrity and highest caliber as teachers, will see to the attainment of the full potential of the policy. If not, this intention of the HRD ministry will have far reaching and hurting repercussions which will force the policy makers to mull over the “retro-intention” of chucking off this new “intention” proposed towards the betterment of education.
Sushmita Mukherjee,
14th September 2009
The intention of the HRD ministry to do away with the Class-X Board Examination in the CBSE schools by relegating it to the status of “optional”, in lieu of the “soon to be” erstwhile (is to be implemented from the year 2011) “mandatory” must have been based on some valid reasons. The decision makers are all learned people and as long as the policies are introduced with the benefit of the students as the sole catalyst, they shall be welcomed. The future of the country (and the world, when looked at the larger picture) is actually in the hands of the kids of today.
But normally no “vision” that is translated into policy attains its full potential in our country, however well-meaning the policy-makers are. Maybe this is a case of “Statistical Improbability”! Though the purists might disagree with my interpretation of the cause, the glaring evidences can’t be ignored even if various theories are forwarded after the retro-analyses of such instances.
The actual problem lies in the fact that the policy-makers, the people who are entrusted with the job of implementing them and those who become the custodian of the policies by executing the policies are not the same people; they are all different. The same set of people can’t look into the three different aspects simultaneously. The inherent impossibility requires decentralization of the labour to see the fruition of the policy. But whether the policy will fully blossom into a beautiful flower or will have a stunted blooming depends upon the intent and sincerity of the people involved.
The policy-makers, having envisioned the idea, have an attachment with it like their own baby. But the ones who implement these to be subsequently executed by the executors need to share the same vision by being sincere in their share of the work. But this seldom is the case even if the policy-makers come with some great policies with the best of intentions. Thus the chain either breaks completely or loses intensity and direction.
I am apprehensive of this very fate awaiting the decision of abolishing the Class-X Board Examination by the HRD ministry. Well, this is not a negative thinking which it might apparently seem to be. “Frequent occurrences of coincidences lead to generalization”- to quote myself! As then coincidences lose their identity. Still I am keeping my fingers crossed!
While formulating the policy it has been decided that there shall be internal assessment through Class-IX and Class-X. The assessment is being called Continuous and Comprehensive Evaluation, CCE, spread out over a specified number of class tests and evaluation procedures. I quite agree with the method, as the continuous evaluation will necessitate a student to be regular with the studies.
But the problem lies in it’s implemention by the schools concerned. The interpretation of the policy should not be ambiguous, rather be absolute to maintain parity and thus avoid victimization of students of different schools.
Furthermore, the most fearsome factor here is the party who will execute it—the teachers. Yes, you have read the last sentence absolutely correctly! I would be a hypocrite, if I ignore this fact I myself being a teacher.
Teachers, though not all but a very high percentage of them, have forgotten their “actual calling”. Rather it would be more correct to say that instead of educating the kids in the true sense, they consider “minting money” their actual vocation. Their main aim is to “earn” and not make students “learn” the nuances of the subject, leave aside helping in the character building of the students.
I am aware of the various methods they adopt to coerce the students of their own school in enrolling for private tuitions with them in spite of the kid’s utmost dislike for and disillusionment regards, the teacher. If they dare to defy, they face the wrath of the teacher in the form of “being failed” in the examination or secure very less marks (that is if they are lucky enough).
Still do you feel that my fears are misplaced? The absolute powers in the hands of the “in-house” teachers might boomerang. There is multitude of options with varying degree of corresponding misappropriation. Situation can become highly volatile given the deceit and conceit prevalent, shamefully and unpardonably in this “once” noble profession.
Though the policy is worth a try and I also know that it will have its teething troubles, I think it should primarily incorporate a “rider” on the assessment powers of the executors—the teachers. Maybe by creating a panel of teachers in each school, comprising of a select few of unimpeachable integrity and highest caliber as teachers, will see to the attainment of the full potential of the policy. If not, this intention of the HRD ministry will have far reaching and hurting repercussions which will force the policy makers to mull over the “retro-intention” of chucking off this new “intention” proposed towards the betterment of education.
Sushmita Mukherjee,
14th September 2009
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