Recite Life : PREVENT ACCIDENTS

On August 19, 2017August 19, 2017 By Swastika DasIn Daily Prompts, education, Life, Uncategorized1 Comment

Recite a poem to learn about lyrics, to learn about rhythm. Recite a flute, to taste the magic of music, to rejuvenate your soul. We cannot deny the beauties of recitals, the importance of recitals. It helps us to memorize the lyrics, it activates our brain cells, and it teaches us about voice modulations, control emotions, teaches expressions and so on and so forth. After all, life is beautiful and human lives are the most precious. Every life dreams, wants to achieve, wants to make a change, wants to leave a dent in this universe. Yes, I existed!!

Are all humans protected enough on this universe? Are all reach their goals? Is everyone is respected by fellow human being? The answer probably is, NO.

Every day young dreaming lives are lost. Reasons are plenty. Hunger and poverty, diseases, natural calamities, man-made disasters and accidents. One reason which shakes us every time is a road accident or any kind of accident related to transport. As the population is rising the accidental cases are also rising. Every year in India there are at least 5 lakhs accidents and the lives lost are not less than 1.5 lakhs. This is a number, alarmingly high because no war or no natural calamity has seen this number if we consider the total number of wars and natural calamities. Numbers are immaterial though as the lives lost by any means are regrettable.

What can we do to reduce road accidents in India? And worldwide?

India is a vast country with a huge population of which twenty-five percent are illiterates. If the data available on the internet are to be believed India is the home of the largest population of illiterate adults. With this numbers, it is easily understood that the number of road accidents occurs in India, may be the highest in the world. Every citizen can not afford a car here, so most of them depend on two wheelers. The young children use two wheelers to go to schools, colleges and tutorial homes. A large number of two-wheelers run on the roads of India along with cars, trucks, buses, autos and innumerable kinds of vans. The traffic rules are hardly followed when everyone is in hurry. Adding to the woes are the bad roads with potholes and clogged water in the rainy season. The life is indeed hard here.

As the government is taking various road safety measures by introducing laws and trying to check speed limits but somehow I feel we, the citizens, failing to do our duties towards the society surrounding us. Can we not involve ourselves in spreading awareness against drunk driving, rash driving, teaching traffic rules to children and their parents? Can we not spread the awareness about the safe driving among the village people who are not properly educated? Can we not spread awareness among the drivers in the unorganized sector for safe driving and advise them not to drive while drunk? There are a lot of work which can be taken up by young educated mass to popularize safe driving through social media, multimedia and print media. Let us try to prevent road accidents so that no mother loses her child, no father weeps silently in memory of his son.

This write up is dedicated to the memory of my son’s friend who lost his life yesterday while returning from his Engineering College in a two wheeler. He was the only child of his parents. May his soul rest in peace, but how to keep alive the souls of his parents?? !!

Come, let us Recite Life. Let us recite a thankful note everyday to GOD for we are ALIVE.

Recite

What freedom means to me……

On August 15, 2017 By Swastika DasIn Daily Prompts, education, Environmental Protection, Health, UncategorizedLeave a comment

Freedom means the power or right to act, speak, or think as one wants. Freedom means the state of not being imprisoned or enslaved. The uncomplicated meaning of freedom in a dictionary.

But understanding freedom in its true sense is far from complicated.

Free from slavery, free from foreign rule, free to rule your own country is freedom.

Achieving the status of a free state was never easy for any country which was enslaved. The time of colonisation has vanished, all the countries and the world has moved forward, things are much more civilised and modernised now. The world has progressed but still, some issues force us to think deeply.

Our children are still suffering from hunger, deprived of education, lost childhoods and struggle to meet the both ends daily. The world is the toughest place for the young innocent children to survive. In this era of the twenty-first century which is a cyber century, the most progressive century: we have millions of children who live on streets, not have proper nutrition, don’t have access to education and don’t have access to proper sanitation. The list may grow by few more parameters. Still, the birth of a girl child is taken as a curse! Today I came across a news in TV that a husband smashed his wife’s face with a stone and killed her because she gave birth to two daughters consecutively. The plight of girl children and women are not at all upgraded rather with time we have fallen behind to protect the weaker gender, better not to talk about equality!

Freedom has a broader meaning. Like the complete power to express the thoughts, let the thought be judged but let people speak freely. Freedom means choosing your lifestyle, career, choices freely. With Freedom, must come the responsibility of preserving the rich culture and heritage of our nation. Preservation of history always is a trial to show respect to our forefathers.

Freedom must come with a package of safety and security for every citizen. Equal education for all, food for all, healthcare for every citizen, good roads to move, water and energy, homes for all, a clean environment, corruption free society- an unselfish world for all. It sounds like a fairy tale, a heaven on this earth!! But then, how could I express what I mean by freedom? To me, Freedom is Happiness all around.

As the day started with the patriotic fervours, a smell of rituals everywhere, a serene feeling with patriotic songs, respect shown with full passions, the day spent well as could be.

I, wanted by heart, not to listen to any news which demoralises the spirit but could not. The evening news revealed a minor girl raped in the morning when she was going for flag hoisting function in a park in a city like Chandigarh. The same old story was rewritten by someone for whom freedom loses its meaning!!

Freedom in the willy-nilly way loses its purpose.

Willy-nilly

Foggy Morning and The Casual Symphony!

On August 5, 2017 By sayandeepIn Daily Prompts, education, Life1 Comment

My dream home is having a couple of casual corners where I spend the rainy days or extremely foggy mornings reading my favourite book with a cup of hot coffee. Or, if the morning is very unusual, lazy and I have an idea of doing nothing for the whole day but drown myself in the symphonies of the world! Yes, these moments are there in our lives, we desire to enjoy the solitude, enjoy of being alone with life’s all comforts around. A break from the usual routine work allows you to look back to your work, plan for more work and your body and mind are relaxed. Reading good books in a cosy corner in your room will enlighten you about life’s various facets. A story or a fiction teaches the reality of life. You know which things happen, who suffers and how, what is life’s magic and the list is endless. Reading a book casually too can throw light on life’s facts and you become energized with new ideas.

The world is moving very fast, all are just running, not knowing about the destination. Most of the time the future looks foggy, still, people run! The rich, the poor or the middle class, all are in hurry. Surveys show that the number of book readers is declining!

So, here are some ideas of creating a casual cosy corner in your house with a bookshelf around so that you can spend your cloudy winter days or a rainy day or a foggy morning leisurely. As someone said- A foggy morning is the best time to clean the dust off your old books lying on your bookshelf; Open them and read.Or, a day when you want to do anything but would like to be alone with a book and coffee.

cosy 5 — A cosy corner- Books, sofa with cushions and candle light. White is serene and goes well with a casual mood and a rainy day.

cosy3 — Think of a corner like this at your home. A big glass window, close to nature. A cloudy noon, drizzles, you, books and coffee. What can you want more from life?

cosy4 — Want solitude? Have this corner. Enlighten yourself with books and music under soft light. Rain outside will add to the adventurous mood!

cosy2 — How is this corner for a casual day?

cosy1 — Sleep unlimited, read, drink, music. Who cares the outside world?

Hence friends, hope I could reach you. Plan your next foggy day well in advance.

Good luck!

Thanks for Reading!

Casual

Foggy

To Savour Edibles: Stop Disastrous Soil Pollution.

On July 19, 2017 By Swastika DasIn Daily Prompts, education, Environmental Protection, Life1 Comment

The pollution of soil may make the plight of the populace disastrous. There are at least a dozen of components which are affecting us and our environment. Soil pollution is one of the components. Usually, whenever we talk about environmental protection the ‘soil’ part is ignored. The soil is treated as a newlywed bride who has to tolerate all kinds of behaviour come its way. What we don’t do with soil? Digging it unnecessarily, construction, mining, rooting up trees, water flowing abundantly, whenever and wherever; ice caps, chemicals, pesticides, industrial effluents – all are having one shelter-soil. The poor soil gets poorer day by day by spending all its rich on everyone, everything. Little did we realise that the continuous erosion is taking away megatons of topsoil every year? The soil is losing the nutrients, we are losing the land which grows edibles. The amount of waste soil is increasing with increase in population. How many of us realise that poverty and hunger are causing more soil erosion. African countries are running with the most waste lands, deserted of nutrients, causing scarcity of foods. The savoury food days will be bygone soon when we will cherish the memories of having good foods. There are many ways to prevent soil pollution but still enough awareness is not created about it. The quality of soil can be improved by reducing air and water pollution, by wise agricultural practices, by applying methods to prevent erosion etc.

If we can check the disasters caused by ignoring our land, we will be able to savour good edibles. Let us start working either together or individually.

Create awareness against soil pollution, Save Earth.

An inspiring Star -Maryam Mirzakhani

On July 15, 2017 By Swastika DasIn Daily Prompts, education, Health, Life, Uncategorized2 Comments

Thought of writing an interesting story after seeing “Moxie” as the prompt word. But then flashed this news – Maryam Mirzakhani, the first woman to receive the prestigious Fields Medal (Nobel Prize of Mathematics) for mathematics, has died in the US. She was just 40, survived by her husband and a very young daughter. She could not fight anymore. Lost the battle. Breast cancer spread through her bones and attacked her bone marrow. A bright star fell off so soon!! When cruelty hits out, we become numb, lose our nerves, wait quietly for Almighty’s decision.

Maryam Mirzakhani wanted to become a writer in her childhood but took up Mathematics when her elder brother encouraged her. She was the winner of gold medals in International Mathematics Olympiad twice, in 1994 and 1995. Currently, she was teaching Mathematics at Stanford University, USA.

She was born in Tehran, Iran’s capital, in 1977 and went on to complete a bachelor of science in mathematics from the city’s Sharif University of Technology in 1999. Then she moved to the USA to pursue higher studies. Apart from the Fields Medal, Mirzakahani has also been awarded the Blumenthal Award (2009) and the Clay Research Award (2014). She also became the first Iranian woman to have been elected to the US National Academy of Sciences, in 2016.

The only recognised woman Mathematician, that too from a country like Iran. Lots of courage needed to fight against society’s rituals, go to a school and then move to the most progressive country in the world, the USA. She was a student of Harvard University and obtained her Ph. D From the same University. Raised the point of lack of women Mathematicians worldwide. She married a man from other religion. A progressive mind from Iran teaches us about what is the meaning of moxie!! Hats off to her!! The bravest woman, the most intelligent woman on the Earth is no more. My heart filled with grief, why she died so young? A woman’s role model, she could have guided many more women to come up and contribute for the mankind. It’s true that women, in many countries won’t get the same opportunities as men. They struggle, fight against the odds. Maryam is the guiding light for them. She may not be alive, but her story will encourage women folk especially and the human kind in general.

May her soul rest in peace.

Moxie

Top 10 Smartest Countries in 2017

On June 26, 2017June 26, 2017 By Swastika DasIn education1 Comment

One of the most popular ways to measure intelligence is by an IQ test. There are other ways to measure intelligence in a nation as well like school test scores in areas like science and math. Another way to look at the intelligence of a country is to examine a country’s contributions to the fields of math and science.

The country with the best education system in the world and the best school-aged test scores is said to be Finland. IQ is seemingly based on problem solving and quickness, which are not always things that can be taught. Education, on the other hand, can be more geared towards memorization and general knowledge, which isn’t as useful on an IQ test.

The US does not feature on this list, sitting in joint 19th place on 98 points (just below the median IQ score of 100). Canada fares worse, on 97 points, whilst the UK and China manage to score slightly better, at 100. No country scores especially highly; not a single nation ended up with an average score equal to the intellectually gifted level (IQ 130+).

India is at 25th Position with Average IQ Score of 82!

In this list, let us take a look at the top ten countries in terms of intelligence, ranked by IQ as well as other factors for 2017…

1] Hong Kong

Hong Kong’s students receive the second best math and science test scores compared to any other country and is said to have the second best education system after Finland. Many students in Hong Kong enrol in extra classes outside of school to round out their educations better and improve their future prospects. Their average IQ is 107.

2] South Korea

South Korea is the most “innovative” of all countries in the world. Their students have the third best test scores compared to any country, and they spend a lot of money on research and development projects. South Korea is said to have the fastest and most reliable internet in the world. Such high-speed internet is a sign of its commitment towards Science and Research and could be linked to their technological progress. As a result of difficult testing, long school hours, and competitive schools, South Korea is known for having a high suicide rate among students. The average IQ in South Korea is 106.

3] Japan

Japan is providing the best quality of education to its students. Japan is notorious for having a difficult childhood education philosophy, with students studying long hours to prepare for difficult exams. When it comes to scientific research, Japan has increasingly been one of the top countries in the world. The University of Tokyo makes lists of the best universities to attend in the world and is considered to be the best university in Asia. The literacy rate in Japan is ninety-nine percent, one of the highest in the world. The average IQ in Japan is 105.

4] Taiwan

Taiwan, is one of the most densely populated countries in the world. When it comes to the test scores of its students, it comes in forth, in a tie with Japan. Taiwan is world renowned for its advances in technology, as well as for its devotion to its public education system. Many people in Taiwan are bilingual. Because one of Taiwan’s biggest trading partners is the United States, many young people have studied to become fluent in English to give themselves increased career prospects. The average IQ in Taiwan is 104.

5] Singapore

Singapore is the little island city-state at the southern part of Malaysia. It is an important area for technology, as well as business and finance. Its students are always around the top in the world when it comes to performance in the fields of math and science. In fact, they currently are number one in the world when it comes to student test scores. Singapore’s great education system might come as a result of their powerhouse status when it comes to trade. Their super high GDP and ease of trade provide them with tonnes of money to fund education and social projects. The average IQ in Singapore is 103.

6] Netherlands

Netherlands has a very good education system for children, ranking ninth when it comes to the test scores of school-aged children in the fields of math and science. Twelve years of compulsory education has helped to lift Netherlands to the higher strata of countries rated by average IQ. Netherlands has an education system that has been ranked as the ninth best in the world by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). The average IQ in Holland is 103.

7] Italy

The tradition of innovation in science and technology in Italy goes back to hundreds of years, of course. When we think of Italy, we are quickly lead to thoughts of the Roman Empire or the Italian Renaissance. A nation that produced some of the greatest sculptors, painters, writers, and poets like Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Dante Alighieri and Galileo Galilei. They’re carrying it today as well with an above average progress in the fields of math, science, physics, and other areas. The average IQ in Italy is around 102.

8] Germany

Germany has one of the highest GDP’s in the world, beating out European rivals France and the UK with an astonishing nominal GDP of $3.4 trillion. It has some of the oldest and most highly rated universities in the world. For example, Heidelberg University, which was established in the south-western city of Heidelberg in 1386, has been associated with 55 Nobel Prize winners. It has been ranked the 50th in the world by QS World University Rankings.

Germany historically has had a high percentage of great thinkers. When one thinks of the fields of philosophy, science, and arts. There have been many influential German minds. This is likely due to a very high amount of German citizens graduating with degrees in science, math, technology, and engineering. In fact, they have the third highest number of people graduating with STEM degrees, despite the fact that their population isn’t really that large compared with many other countries. Germany has the best GDP of any country, and also has some of the world’s oldest and most prestigious universities. The average IQ in Germany is 102.

9] Austria

Austria is a small landlocked nation that shares borders with countries like Germany, Switzerland and Italy. Education is free and compulsory for Austrian children for at least nine years, with many going on into higher education. Austria has the second highest percentage of people with PhDs who are in the workforce of any country. For every thousand people in the country, around seven females and nine males have a PhD. The average IQ in Austria is 102.

10] Sweden

The tenth country on this list Sweden, has a good education system, with most of the education costs covered by the government so that education is accessible to anyone with the mental aptitude. They come second in the world when it comes to computer usage at work. In Sweden, more than seventy-five percent of workers use computers at their jobs. They also have one of the highest populations of citizens with degrees in higher education in the world. The average IQ in Sweden is around 101!

Source: Statistics Brain Research Institute [Average IQ By Country] & Gazette Review

Local

Dream Sleep Meddled!!

On June 20, 2017June 20, 2017 By Swastika DasIn Daily Prompts, education, Life1 Comment

“The best kind of rain, of course, is a cosy rain. The rain that falls on a day when you’d just stay in bed a little longer, write creatively or read a good book while sipping on hot Tea and Honey. Even on rainy days, there is beauty in the making. Let the rain fall where it may, and don’t be reluctant to feel it fall upon you. On the busy days, enlighten someone new by saying hello with a smile. Hold and share your umbrella with someone that may not have one. It’s the smallest of things that make the greatest difference and can bring the sunshine on a gloomy, rainy day. There is always a Rainbow to be seen ~ even if it’s within your heart to shine onto others.” — Star Roberts

We like rain. Rainy days, music, a book, a movie, hot food make us so content. It seems life is really worth living. Cloudy skies can make you a poet or a lyricist. A rainbow can turn you into an artist. Rain has a power to bring out the creator in each one of us.

Blessed are those who can enjoy a rainy day deep down to their hearts. Very often, the rhythm of raindrops is meddled by the surrounding noise of a city life. The beauty of the raindrops falling, the pitter patter sounds, the dark clouds, the chilly winds are meddled by the tensions of your work, your target achieving, your household chores. In reality, hardly we can enjoy our wishes as described in a good book.

I, in my childhood days, was fond of sleeping. Especially on a rainy day or in a winter morning. I struggled to fulfil my wishes as my studies were meddling the hidden wishes of mine. My mom was also a strict lady. We sisters used to call her ‘tigress’!! As soon as the clock was striking 5 in the morning she used to get up and used to call us. The rule was, we must wake up early in the morning for studies, she never insisted us for exercise but for studies. Whether it’s chilling cold or incessant rain, nothing deterred her getting up in the morning and did her all work. She expected the same from us. So never ever I could sleep properly though my bed was my best friend!. Now, my work keeps me always busy. The mind is preoccupied with ‘to do list’. Little laziness makes this list longer. Time is so precious! The work meddles my good friend, my dream like sleep to arrive up to me !!

Only an early retirement may see me sleeping or watching a cosy rain through windowpanes with a cup of hot coffee and my favourite book.

Meddle

Louder please.. Ma’am!!

On June 12, 2017 By Swastika DasIn Daily Prompts, education1 Comment

All most all of my career life as a teacher saw me struggling with the volume of my voice while teaching. As I saw today’s prompt I smiled, smiled with my cheeks turning red! I thought, for me, the volume is the biggest issue and how they know about it!!

Always liked to teach. Started teaching while I was very young and pursuing my graduation. Fortunately, I was good in studies, all my juniors from my neighbourhood used to come to me to learn Mathematics. Some used to come to discuss Science topics too. In this way, when I fell in love with teaching, I never knew. But that was mainly tutorials with very few students around. When I finished my long study period and thought to join a job, obvious choice was teaching. I never realised teaching needs a good larynx too.

First few classes went with some kind of nervousness. All most hundred students seeking a professional degree used to sit in front of me to learn. Yeah, that’s the normal size of a class of a developing nation. I had to take care of a crowd sized classroom. And, slowly, I realized students are struggling to listen to me. But they were not complaining as I was new and perhaps they were pleased with me. I started observing that whenever I entered the class room, some boys used to move from last benches to first rows. I noticed for few days and kept on wondering about it. When I settled down and got the responsibility of conducting laboratory classes too, I came into contact with students closely. Usually size of a laboratory class is very small as it is batch wise. I could explain them well and students also overcame the fears and hesitations. After few days, I asked few of my favourite students, the reasons for the change of sitting arrangements in my class, they smiled. Said, “Mam, if you don’t mind, can you please be little louder? We have no problems with the way you teach, rather we love to hear your lectures, but as your voice is low we can’t hear you.” Then they said me many more things so that I don’t get hurt. I came home, thinking all the way about raising the volume of my voice.

My professor husband came in to raise my mood. He guided me how to reach to every students, how to handle a class when there are hundred students, how to do voice modulation so that students remain attracted towards the lecture. Then my practice started to raise my volume and volume modulation. Now I am comfortable, and my students too. And I never suffered from laryngeal oedema or laryngeal dysfunction!!

Volume

20 easy ways to practice sustainable living.

On June 10, 2017 By Swastika DasIn education, Environmental Protection, Life, Uncategorized2 Comments

The World Environment Day has just passed a few days back. We celebrated it in the best possible ways. Now, we are back to our routine work of destroying this planet. Why don’t we think every day about sustainable living? Why don’t we adopt a lifestyle which gives the scope of ‘Reduce, Reuse and Recycle’? We must practice it throughout the year and speak about our good work on the Environmental day. Let more of us get inspired to practice sustainable living.

What is sustainable living?

It is the reduction of using natural sources, less demand and less supply pattern. If we reduce our demand for things which uses and thereby depletes natural resources, then we are into the practice of sustainable living. How can we do that? Many of points I am discussing here are known to us but then a reminder on saving the Earth is necessary. Don’t all of you agree with me? Here I go with my suggestions:

Reduce energy consumption. It’s a routine talk about saving electricity and fossil fuels. What is new? Can we read more books and play outdoor and indoor games to avoid watching TV and avoid mobile phones, thereby reducing consumption of energy? Go back to the earlier days when children knew how to climb a tree or swim in rivers and ponds. What we did when we were technologically behind?
Use green energy as much as possible. Use of solar, wind and hydro energy should be encouraged.
Walk, bicycle, use car pools and public transportation. This will not only reduce the fossil fuels consumption but will promote reducing the junks of old car materials. Imagine the number of old cars and their parts after the maximum use are converted into the trash, the burden on the planet.
How many mobile phones, laptops, iPads, iPhones, computers, Television sets you require? Can you minimise the numbers? The unnecessary demand of electronic gadgets will promote manufacturing and the electronic waste will seek a landfill to get disposed. Still now, we don’t have proper recycling units of electronic gadgets. So think thrice before you buy any electronic gadget next time.
Nowadays, human habits are pampering luxury. You can find four cars displayed in front of a house but can’t find a tree grown up to add to the beautification of the house.
We have a habit of shopping unnecessarily. Sometimes shopping is done to lift up a depressed mood. But this is a wrong practice. Unnecessary things turn out to be junk materials and we remain clueless about disposing of the junks.
You can exchange clothes with your friends or your siblings to minimise the purchase of clothes. You can donate clothes of kids to orphanages or to the needy. Keep your old clothes and some new out of fashion clothes to distribute among natural disaster victims. More organisations are required to collect clothes and channelize the donation to the poor.
You can use your not so used clothes to prepare cloth bags, pillow and cushion covers or doormats. Can use old towels converted into kitchen napkins. Replace tissue papers with cloth napkins. Put your thoughts to innovate ideas for reusing clothes.This way we can minimise our demand of cloth materials and save the raw resource for future generation.
“Stop using plastics” is almost slogan now. Use glass, ceramics, paper or aluminium containers and packaging, to save the planet and its wildlife. Many marine animals are killed consuming plastics.
Stop drinking plastic bottled water. Use your home RO plants or filter water for drinking purpose. Carry that water in bottles wherever you go. Reuse the plastic water bottles as many times as possible. Plastic bottles are adding to the severe environmental hazards created by civilised society.
Adopt a lifestyle which demands minimum. Use small rooms, small buildings, small apartments. Avoid constructing a palatial house where only three or four people live.
Instead, construct a small house with lots of greenery around. Plant trees which bear fruits so that birds can live in your surroundings. Keep a bowl of water and seeds on which birds can live. Have lots of flowers in your garden to wake up to a beautiful morning every day. Stay close to nature and inhale fresh air every moment.
Segregate dry and wet wastes. Use your kitchen wastes to prepare compost and use it in gardening.
Work for the preservation of animals and plants. Teach your children about the importance of having a beautiful surrounding.
Take care of population growth. More population leads to more demand, more manufacturing and ultimately more trash burdens on the planet Earth.
Reduce your laundry work. Avoid use of plenty of soaps and detergents. Reduction of washings and use of soaps will reduce water pollution.
Similarly, if we reduce our consumption in every area, then definitely we will reduce the use of packaging and use of plastics. Remember every item you buy needs a packaging.
If you grow vegetables in your garden, then you can avoid buying grated vegetables from supermarkets. This will reduce packaging and trash burdens.
Unplug everything when not in use, save electricity. Use LED lamps.
Use natural cleansers like a mixture of vinegar, baking soda and water instead of soaps/detergents to clean kitchen and bathroom tiles.

There are many more methods which we can practice. If we start practising reduce, reuse and recycle, we need to have more recycling units. Creating awareness about a sustainable living will encourage many to set up recycle and reuse units.

My purpose of writing this long post is to create awareness and also to remind already aware people. Environment protection is not one day or one week practice. It should be in our mind always. Let us born with nature, live with nature and rest in peace with nature.

Hope to return to you with another blog written on my way of sustainable living in the next World Environment Day.

Happy Living !!

EVERGREEN PROFESSION: TEACHING

On June 3, 2017June 3, 2017 By Swastika DasIn education, UncategorizedLeave a comment

“Teaching is a very noble profession that shapes the character, calibre, and future of an individual. If the people remember me as a good teacher that will be the biggest honour for me.” – Dr A.P.J.Abdul Kalam.

This is the most important time of the year. All the results are declared, students are busy in choosing their career. In India, there is a general rush towards Medical/Engineering courses.

While the most brilliant students go for IITs or Medical courses in reputed colleges, other settle down with a seat in private Engineering colleges. Very few students opt for General Science, Commerce and Arts.

When most of the students want to join professional courses, very few want to become teachers. Better to say that teaching as a profession is considered last: more so by compulsion.

Isn’t it a sad state of affairs? India needs millions of teachers. According to the reports of UNESCO, India’s teacher crisis is little less than Nigeria’s. Every professional college needs teachers/professors. Every vocational college needs teachers and instructors. Every college, high school, primary school are in need of teachers. There are also reports that India doesn’t have enough number of good teachers and Professors at every level. Then why there is no rush to become a good teacher?

The reluctance probably lies in the social status of a teacher. A low paid salary and a disciplined life…no one want!! There is no distinction between paid time and unpaid time of work. A teacher works almost always, either physically or mentally. Hard work indeed but still less glamorous than an Engineer or a Doctor!!

Now, it’s time to call for creating an undercurrent among the mass to take up teaching as a profession. Good students should take up this social responsibility to educate our next generation. Again, If we go through the survey reports of UNESCO which says the abysmal condition of teaching and learning in most of the Government primary schools. A sixth-grade student cannot read a second-grade textbook! The level of understanding of Mathematics and Science is abnormally low. The capability of students to learn the language, frame a sentence is shamefully low.

The various lucrative career options could not drag good students towards teaching. As a result, the quality of teachers degraded over the years. The failure of subsequent Governments to think about the quality of primary and higher education, infrastructural facilities to schools and colleges lowered the dignity of the teaching profession. There must be a social drive to convey the positive sides of a teaching career.

A teacher is a social creature, connected to society, committed to social responsibilities. Noble profession, isn’t it?
A teacher is a surrogate parent for students. Teaching discipline, punctuality, inculcating moral values are part of the teaching job.
There is a lot of scope for freedom. Prepare your own models. Innovate methods to teach any topic, help students in completing projects etc. You are the boss of your classroom. Isn’t that fantastic?
Interacting with the young curious mind is fun itself. You, as a teacher, get a chance of shaping the future of the country. Educating fresh minds, showing them the right path, exploring their ideas in the best possible way will help the nation to progress.
While teaching others, you also develop good qualities. You learn to be disciplined, always seek for knowledge, develop leadership quality because sometimes your students depend on the decision you take.
You teach the future engineers, doctors, lawyers, scientists, accountants, poets and other teachers
You become a role model for several hundreds and thousands of future citizens of the country
A teacher meets thousands in a lifetime, parents list includes the richest to the most struggling. It’s a good opportunity to know people and the society. Realise the change the society is facing if yu are for a long time in teaching.
Not all get the opportunity to shape young minds. Teaching others, gives your heart and mind, a unique kind of pleasure and satisfaction
If you join teaching, gradually, with experience, you will find a purpose of your life. Life is all about purpose and passion. Teaching in this way the most fulfilling job.
The opportunity to mix with people of many types- culturally, religiously. You can have a closer look to life, you come to know about life, people and problems.
Moreover, you do not forget what you have learnt in your school and college days. Teaching needs a lot of reading. In this way, you can keep yourself upgraded about your subject.
Young students are always smart when it is about new gadgets, new style or anything that is new in the market. You have to know everything to tackle them. So you remain smart all through your life.
There are so many new methods to apply while teaching. Many innovations you can do with your teaching methodology. Teaching is so challenging that it keeps you busy with a new problem every day.
Nowadays, teaching is multifaceted. Teach, guide for projects, keep track of students, study their behaviour, counsel and then write a report on every student.
Identify weak learners and try to do your best teaching for them.
Hence, teaching has many benefits that you won’t get in other professions.
You will never scared of losing your job if you are a good teacher. There will be schools and colleges. Society will not ban education any day. So this is a job where you are super secure.

Be creative, transform lives, contribute in building a civilised society, spread knowledge, help poor, be a role model, inspire, ignite the hunger of acquiring knowledge.

BE THE CHANGE

BE A TEACHER

‘True teachers are those who use themselves as bridges over which they invite their students to cross; then, having facilitated their crossing, joyfully collapse, encouraging them to create their own’ – Nikos Kazantzakis, Greek writer and Philosopher.

Revolving Around Life

Category: education