So this blog actually did start in my mind when I went through an article this morning which stated the interview with Azim Premji (CEO, Wipro tech. ). Well lets peep into the core of the problem before coming to a possible list of solutions..
Everyone loved when technicians gave a 3rd dimension to all their comical creations.. From the 'Adventures of Narnia' & ' Harry Potter' to romantic tales of 'Tangled' have been stealing the heart of people irrespective of ages.. People even look for 3D televisions to see things as reality.. We expect reality in smaller things like entertainment but are we really multi-dimensional in our educational approach ?? (I would add a few more question marks there !!)
Everyone wants to be a professional !!! Professional in our definition includes Dr, Engineer and Lawyer. I wasn't sure about the definition of professional but when I looked into the dictionary it said 'following an occupation as a means of livelihood or for gain'.. I don't see a word describing what work it should be !!
Then what is that created the stereotype in following these studies blindly ?? I couldn't think of more than a few reasons 1. Money 2. Peer pressure 3. Feeling of financial insecurity 4. Respect to fellow beings
The first 3 points have been spoken about a million times so I would not touch upon that. The last "Respect to fellow beings" though is quite a tricky subject which only few people realize as long as they are in the society divided based on people's livelihood. I had a conversation with a friend, a British citizen of Indian origin who has lived all his life in Britain. A few interesting things that popped up were
1. In Britain or for that matter where there is a concept of minimum wage, everybody is treated with respect. Simply because everyone could afford a decent life. A janitor need not be looked down in anyway compared to a guy working as a banker. Moreover if not for the Janitor we will all be living in shit !!
2. A simple realization in my mind of how still servant maids are being treated in most Indian households. Where they are fed, what they are fed and how ?? What is the quality of life that someone who cleans up the streets, serves you in a restaurant or someone who does farming enjoys ?? A big negative !!
Your minds must have been asking you a lot more questions depending upon the sufferings you might have seen around you.
Teach your children human values before the value of money.. No profession is inferior.. Give them the choice to choose their profession. By forcing Engineering or Medical courses you might be killing another Sachin, P T Usha, Mother Teresa or even Mahatma Gandhi..
Will you see with something interesting next time.. Signing off :)
