Monday, August 27, 2007

August 2007 - Where the mind is without fear

Years ago, around the time when I was just out of college, I had the good fortune of sharing a lunch table with some of the leading professors of a European business school. The guest of honor that day was the director of my alma mater, a detail that undoubtedly gave me an extra dose of zeal and excitement. Over the main course, one of the professors asked the director what he would to do to improve the social conditions in India. Before he could answer the question, I interjected and explained passionately how the entire political system should be revamped and corruption should be abolished. The director nodded encouragingly with a half-smile on his face and added, “True. But if I were you, I would start building better primary schools first”.

I should admit that I had dismissed his suggestion as an educationist’s view of the world. But today, I realize what he meant. That providing everyone quality education meant giving them the ability to decide what they really want. And there is no better way to improve the society than to make everyone self-aware. And there is no better place to start than primary schools.

In this issue, we have put together organizations and individuals who are taking education to the society. In the forefront section, we talk about how Akshara Foundation is infusing love for reading and books among today’s children. We showcase the efforts of Unnati who provide vocational training for youngsters and thus change the fortunes of their families. Our sattvic celebrity this time is not one person, but three different organizations working with differentlyabled children and getting them ready to face the world. We are sincerely grateful to Ashok Kamath, management trustee of Akshara Foundation, for sharing with us the results of the intervention program they carried out across primary schools to improve reading fluency in children. We also thank Diana Tholoor for sharing her experience in realizing inclusive education. In the postscript section, we talk to Govind who tells us how the pursuit of education has given him a sense of purpose and a worthwhile dream. In the refractive index, some commonly asked questions about NIOS have been answered. And as an encouragement for all of us to keep the reading habit going, we have compiled the list of libraries in Bangalore. I have learnt a lot in the process of putting this issue together. Most importantly, I realize that not all men are created equal. It is education that levels the playing field. It realizes the equality among all of us and gives everyone an equal opportunity to enjoy the unalienable rights of man – “Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

And in closing, it’s probably worthwhile to ask ourselves how educated are we all. For, as Alvin Toffler said, “The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn”.

Click here to read our August issue.