Case of a renowned poet and a shawl
At a recent International seminar on Hindi held in the city, a poetess from neighboring Assam was asked by the organizing secretary to felicitate another renowned poet from the same state with a shawl. The opened up the package and took out the shawl to place it around the neck of the renowned poet. But on taking a quick look at the shawl she told the secretary that the shawl was of inferior quality. The secretary, who was holding a microphone, was visibly annoyed and muttered under his breath, Why does one wear such a shawl; to feel hot or cold?,” following which there were peals of laughter from the crowd. The poetess blushed and placed the shawl around the neck of the renowned poet – who was also laughing. Later the poetess wanted to say a word or two about the renowned poet. Since the entire seminar was on Hindi, where poets from all over the country and abroad, gave their speech in Hindi, the poetess’s thickly Assamese accented speech bored the audience. Someone in the audience whispered that perhaps the renowned poet could have better spoken about himself. The question is how did a non-Hindi speaking poetess attend a seminar where all spoke in fluent and flawless Hindi.
Education not for all
Inflation has taken a toll on education. A simple three years degree course now costs a student a tidy package. And an Honours course costs more. Private colleges and universities set their own standards and these are market driven. It has become very difficult for most parents to afford a good education for their wards in some of the good colleges. The slogan, “Education for all,” makes no sense here. Some will always be more equal than others. Some of the premier colleges have just hiked up the cut-off marks. Their charges are also very high. Many a good student wishing to enter these so-called premier colleges are disappointed because they could not secure good marks in their SSLC. Others because they cannot afford the cost! It is interesting to listen to the students as they end up in the not so ‘good’ colleges and then argue that they could do just as well if they study hard enough! Good for them! Students who enter the premier colleges may have secured good marks but that is because they are urban-based and more privileged to have access to private tuition et al. Can there be equity for all, ever?
Wanted more low cost events
A parent was keen to take her children to watch the ongoing SAF table tennis games but none of the newspapers mentioned the timing for the games. By the time she got to know that the games started on Sunday at 9 am it was already 1 pm and her kids were taking a nap. She said by the time they wake up are ready the formal inaugural session would happen and after that there would be no more game. She felt cheated and was quite dejected. These were her exact words, “ For small towners like us these kind of events are the only low cost opportunity to stimulate our children’s imagination in an otherwise event-less place. Sad that most schools are having exams else the school kids should have been exposed to this event.” This is some thinking mother. If only more parents engaged their children in meaningful pastimes like sports, both indoors and outdoors, rather than allowing their kids to spend hours playing computer games!