Educational revolution.

Dr.Shashi Kant

Dr.shashikant.kant@gmail.com

Virat Rehani

vrehani@yahoo.com

 Old age homes are mushrooming and there is continuous rise in assault cases, torture of women and so many other vices. It speaks volumes about downfall of our education.

Sadayam Hridayarn Yasya Bhasitham Sathya Bhushitham Kayah Parahithe Yasya Kalisthasya Karothikim (Sanskrit verse). 

It states that the immoral and wicked outcome of the Kali age cannot do anything to the person whose heart is empathetic, believe in veracious pronouncement and volunteer his self to aid other beings.

There is no doubt the young generation has acquired much knowledge but is lagging behind so far as the desired moral values are concerned.

Noddings et.al in their work have illustrated philosophy of education similar to the academic field to the philosophical study of education along with its flaws. They further observed the focal point of this philosophy to be education itself as well as the methods inculcated for it. 

Philosophy of education is not separate from field of applied philosophy but explains field of education. It needs our attention.

Many Philosophers (like Plato) thought that it should be an entire responsibility of the Government to educate the children but people in present set of democracy shall accept some of Government’s responsibilities but shall never agree to lose their right to decide about the future of their child.

Cahn et.al in their work have talked about the work of Immanual Kant that along with  education the focus should be on building moral character

We should frame the education policy and the process of learning keeping the overall result from all this. Values of mankind as a whole should never be ignored at any cost.

According to Frankena et.al Researchers that cogitate the serving of humans accept that the wise literacy of young blood decides the future of any establishment 

Education of our youth determines the type of our society. The purpose of education which is to turn out virtues students must be focused.

The logics, target and technique of building regulations may be beyond the already enforced regulations.

There may be different concepts and different aims in different societies by different philosophers but the voice of situation prevalent in the society should not be ignored.

The major reason for setback in imbibing moral values in learners is inability to satisfy the question marks following why, what and how.

It may further be engraved that most andragogies fail at initiating stage, this may be credited to the already existing beliefs and their contradictions to the social/human values.

Everything cannot be explained with mathematical equations but a simple formula may be used for achieving the virtually impossible endless joy and human-human relation values:

Where: Result=Endless joy and Human to Human relation.

H1=Head (for thoughts).

H2=Heart (for evaluating thoughts).

H3=Hand (for working upon thoughts).

E.g. Endless joy and human-human relation values=Right thinking + Right evaluation of the thought + Right execution.

Neil et.al in their elated work projected Dewey as a proponent of Educational Progressivism and as an educational reformer. He also focused that traditional methods of strictness on imparting education was related to impart education but was insufficient to realize pupil’s actual experience.

Many Philosophers [like Rousseau] thought that if the children are not interfered they can advise themselves from their own experiences. But we shall have to watch that they do not suffer permanently due to their miscalculation.

Dr. Art-ong Jumsai Na Ayudhya in his talk regarding Education in Human Values (EHV) stated the importance of well coordinated Heart, Head and Hand which commute to define a true human being.

Education needs reformation. Changes must be brought as per the need. It should be important and beneficial for all people. All the students should feel it important and of use in life. It should be kept in mind that a man is not a machine. The aim that he should be a beneficial member of the society should never be ignored. Thus he should grow up learning the human values.

Munari et. al deeply emphasized that demolish of our society can only be diminished by the valued education.

Education of our children is of great importance. It affects not only our society but the whole planet. Our possible collapse can be saved by the better education. No one can deny that social justice is our top most priority. 

Moral values in long are good for self and others.

Brophy et.al stated that it is therefore mandatory to have a highly optimized synchronization amongst learning chance and student’s previous beliefs, student’s pinpointing of realm. The guide must frame student’s realm to architect stimulating pattern so as to qualify the student to rank and recognize efficacy of realm’s worth and soothe its fulfillment The young students must understand that some day they will grow older. So they must work upon the theory to give older people and their very near future the best society and environment that they wish for themselves.

At times the low speed of a learner is considered to be an outcome of his/ her dullness but defying this, there may be many other reasons for the aforesaid slower pace.

Riessman et.al even mentioned in their work that a learner may be at snail’s pace in performing intellectual works but this never infers that he/she is dull.

Many researchers discuss the higher education as an investment for the future this clearly depicts that if the current education system is reformed with concepts of moral values it will yield better results in developing a better society. Leslie et.al have pointed about economic value of higher education and also discussed whether it is a good investment.

It is opined that we should wrestle our mind after going through different philosophical views put forward by different philosophers. Pedagogy should be such that the subject should remain affable and the students should acquire knowledge, wisdom and sense of reasoning. Opportunity to get education should be for all.  System of education should move towards a healthy direction where Pestalozzi is not ignored. Moral thinking should flourish. Students after passing out from institutions should have capability to solve political and social issues.  

We must divorce the education system which is hindrance to social reforms to improve human conditions and making a better world. Thus we must shake up the education system and focus on both intellectual as well as moral values.

Philosophy and education is an immortal conversation as the interest and needs change with time. If anything is permanent it is change…  

Politics impregnated by the gun and goon culture

Where the political system is impregnated by the gun and goon culture there development of needy people cannot be expected. Political leaders having sweet tongues and demoniac hearts crush the resistance by the people using the goons thus establishing the goon raj (Goon kingdom). Goons have become nut and bolt of the political system.

Most of the political leaders patronage the goons or are themselves goons. Many children of political leaders behave like goons as the power corrupts their mind. Such politicians pressurize to bail out the goons if some action against them is initiated. Thus arresting a goon becomes useless. Some people opine that the goons are on the pay roll of some politicians. Peaceful existence on this planet is possible only if we get rid of them. Such incidents speak volumes about the social set up. Let us wake up each other and wash out the social set up.

Some time goons give title to their groups after the name of certain great man or some religious deity. They think their way of thinking is right and others should follow it. They go to the extent of taking law in their own hands. They do not bother that they are threat to the freedom of other’s way of thinking.

Some political leaders to appease such self styled moral teachers patronize them and use them for their personal interest. These leaders distance from such elements only when media highlight the misdeeds. Legal Acts should not be merely symbols. No one should be allowed to interfere when the legal Acts take the course.

When a political leader or a supporter tries to indulge in such nefarious activities he must be hit back hard to send message to others. We must unite against such monsters as everybody wants to get rid of them.

How long such politicians shall be elected. Not to speak or not to act against atrocities and to remain a mute spectator is not pardonable. We must transform ourselves to the need of time. We must change to change the political set up. We must change to change the world… 

HELPING HANDS

The world is full of needy people. Many non-government organizations will have to come forward to make things better for the needy considering whole mankind as one species and make the world worth living.

Many people who have a benevolent mind-set always think to do well in the world and make difference in the life of needy people.  

"Allah is not kind to him who is not kind to people." (Bukhari, Muslim)

“Show forgiveness,

       Enjoin kindness,

            Avoid ignorance.”

                    The Quran 7;199

Indeed, Allah enjoins justice, and the doing of good to others; and giving like kindred; and forbids indecency, and manifest evil, and wrongful transgression. He admonished you that you may take heed. (Al Quran 16:91)

“My religion is very simple

My religion is kindness”--- Dalai Lama

“Hatred has never been destroyed by hatred,

but kindness, this is the eternal law.” ---By Budha

“A gift is pure when it is given from the heart to the right person at the right time and at the right place, and when we expect nothing in return”
― Anonymous, The Bhagavad Gita

“No one who does good work will ever come to a bad end, either here or in the world to come”
― Anonymous, The Bhagavad Gita

“Be kind to all beings, this is more meritorious than bathing at the sixty-eight sacred shrines of pilgrimage and donating money” (Guru Granth Sahib Ji, 136).

Luke 6:35

Verse Concepts

"But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men.

Colossians 3:12

Verse Concepts

“So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience;

All the religions spread the message of kindness.

We must rise above languagism, regionalism, cast and creed and consider all human beings as one species and focus on kindness. We must think about low income individuals. We must make ourselves available for “people who need people” without thinking from which walk of life they are. The enlightenment must radiate all around and establish the peaceful relationship among mankind. The society needs it, the country needs it, and the world needs it.

The world needs a change! To change ourselves is the first step to change the world…

A MEANINGFUL LIFE:

There is no dearth of people who are facing loneliness, depression and indulgence in the habit of taking drugs. Loneliness is mostly faced by aged people.

Retirement and ageism has no effect on people who live a meaningful life. It is their attitude which does not allow the loss of their previous role to come in the way of their current happiness. Their mind- set not merely makes the successful aging but are a great contribution to the society, though there are physical and social changes. Their life style is radiating the message all around to work hard and shun the habit of taking drugs (particularly to youth), as the abuse of drugs make a person lethargic and a burden to the society.

An owner of the agriculture land loves to work with his own hands...

People, who spend a meaningful life, engage themselves and join social organizations and faith organizations. For them work is more important. They continuously refresh their hobbies, add new interests and new friends. Such type of wonderful life style not only helps the less lucky people but is beneficial for people living a meaningful life, as the social interaction is the panacea of all drugs. They can be destroyed but can never be defeated. They develop greater sense of control and learn to lower the expectations of life as they have learned to drive out sorrow from their lives. In-spite of multifaceted diseases they flood their lungs with delicious oxygen and breathe in happiness…

Life changing events of a person needs psychological adjustments to live a meaningful life. There is no second opinion about A Meaningful Life that it is the fountain of endless happiness… 

Religion in the hands of devils:

Of course religion is helpful in many ways but when the religion comes in the hands of devil minded people it is used to damage the society.

Refusal to prosecute, killing of peaceful demonstrators, imprisonment of one community members, social neglect and criminal elements in politics create a ridge between members of our society.

Whenever and wherever there is degradation of rule, miscreants harm the innocent members of our society. Mostly the communal violence which takes birth is politically motivated. Most of time communal violence is seen near religious festivals.

Economical progress and communal violence cannot live together. Lives and property face threat. Economical, political and social imbalances breed hatred towards progressed communities. Poverty due to unemployment and feeling of insecurity add fuel to the adverse situation. When an attempt is made to solve problems of minorities an intense resentment arouses among prosperous class due to clash of interest. Narrow mindedness and historical facts also have deep effect on our psychology.  A mild provocation poisons our mind. Political rivalry creates dangerous situation if religion is used by them to grind their own axe. Violent speeches spread virus of communal violence which creates the gasping condition.

Delay in normalcy spreads virus of communal violence. Rumors create inescapable conflicts. If there is ineffective policing, situations become vehicles of communal violence. Religious fanaticism does not lag behind to sharpen differences in the minds of hard boiled followers.

If we consider religion is a personal affair of individuals, the society is sure to swim out. If the belief is exhibited and is forced to be accepted then the society is sure to sink down. If we do not humanize our beliefs and continue to bulldoze the values of religion, spiral violence will root in the society which will bedevil each and every individual of our society. We must gear up before our earth turns into a house of war... We must treat fits of communal violence... We must stop ill wind to blow only then, peace will prevail on this beautiful earth and the language of communal violence will cease to exist…

RE-ENGINEERING THE EDUCATION SYSTEM:

 In some of the countries there is no appreciable change as required in the education system. In most of the educational institutions traditional way of chalk and talk system is followed while there are other modern ways. Teaching method must be changed for overall development of the society. We should not tow the out dated system which stultifies students to crammers and pen pushers.

Functional literacy is must for the turned out products of the schools, colleges and universities. Irrelevant education wounds the education itself. The examination system is such that the students mug up and vomit out the material read by them. Out dated system, untrained and less paid teachers may cause the students to lose the interest in studies. The seats are purchased by some of the parents for their wards under various quotas which prove to be a well fertilized land for corruption. We forget that the student afterward shall sieve out the money and the vicious cycle goes on.

Corruption, politicization, communalization and favoritism, must be kept away from the education system. The courses must be developed in a way that the skills provided to the students must boost the economy of the nation and provide them employment. The educational institutions must not feel themselves lame due to lack of funds allocated to them by the Government.  

The sunbeam: Community projects

The sunbeam: Community projects: Image credit: fmsc.org Hunger to Hope   'if you've seen my starving children, feed them.'   G.  Israeli...

FAILURES ARE THE STEPS TOWARDS SUCCESS:

It is dedicated to Dr. Abdul Kalam as one of his quotes is the source of inspiration.

Numerous obstacles may come in our way to success which advocates that hard work is needed. Failure must not be the cause of alarm but it should be our guide to improve the critical areas. It has given us a chance to learn from our blunders and it is not an ignorable benefit. Same thoughts give birth to same acts and same results so we must find a different way.  Failure tells us that there was lack of actions to be taken. Circumstances never quite fit. In the real world circumstances are not exactly suitable. When we fail to achieve the goal and fall we must bounce back. Failure is a step towards the success. We should remember that persistent efforts and strong determination is the mother of success. It is never to be forgotten that success starts where the comfort zone ends. We should stop to react to our failure in a wrong way rather develop thick skin and dust off its marks and believe in extra efforts. Failure should not paralyze or faze us.

There are number of examples that emphasize, before reaching to the fame of being well established persons people failed in their lives. Honda an engineer was denied job before establishing his two wheeler business.  Ford before establishing a well known motor company failed a number of times. Walt Disney was said that he lacked good ideas and imagination but proved opposite of the blots.  Bill gates failed but later created his global Microsoft Empire. Charles Darwin a well known scientist was earlier considered below normal standard of intellect.  Albert Einstein was considered mentally handicapped but won the noble prize. Socrates was ridiculed to death. Newton was also not appreciated. Edison was told that he was too stupid to learn anything but later he designed the light bulb. Winston Churchill before becoming Prime minister of United Kingdom faced political failure. Abraham Lincoln failed a number of times to get public offices before becoming the greatest leader. Opera Winfrey one of the most iconic faces on TV suffered many career setbacks earlier. Elvis Presley and Beatles were refused many a time before reaching at the top. Benjamin in spite of hardships invented bifocals. Mahatma Gandhi, Tata, Ambani, Gaga, Amitabh Bachchan, Patoudi, Modi all suffered in their lives.

If we keep the name of above said persons in mind we can easily face the road bumps, fuel the drive to success and actualize the map of our dreams.

 

Government of the Slogans by the Slogans for the Slogans

In most of the countries these days the democratic Government is of the slogans by the slogans for the slogans merely where as the famous quote was emphasized ‘Government of the people by the people for the people’ by the respected Abraham Lincoln from the core of his heart. It appears that most of the political leaders have scratched the quote emphasized by Abraham Lincoln from their upper chamber and replaced it with the new catchy slogans to gain power for their personal growth. Politics is no more a Greek for the people. They understand that the political situation is not supportive to them. People find corruption, scam and malpractices all around them. There is no confusion to understand that facilities are farther from them and mighty persons are being supported. Most of the political leaders are fomenting trouble on the basis of cast, religion, language and the region. People cannot divorce from the reality that if at all development is there it is at the cost of people. It is advocated that every political leader should focus on eradication of mass poverty and inequality otherwise there will be threat to ongoing political system.  

PHOTO SESSION

Spending money to publicize any exercise or yoga is of no value till the stomach is half filled or empty. Such stomachs are interested in food (including water), clothing and shelter. These are the basic needs of life. Publicity of any exercise by ministers and other persons through media can only be considered as photo session only. Those in power are expected to focus more on the lower needs. We must keep it in mind that a starved body eats its own defenses.

There are many fields like sanitation, education, Job training, child care, elder care etc which are crying for our attention. Skilled people should be brought to Self sufficient level and only then we can think about higher growth needs. There is no second opinion that exercise or yoga purify the soul and are beneficial for the health but basic needs which are the oxygen of life must be given priority. 

Jingoist Politicians

 Jingoistic political design is considered as a fractured politics these days by most of the common people. Chauvinist minded politicians must understand the changing mood of public. Those political leaders who under the hawkish foreign policy attack rabidly are enemy of the cooperative world. Common people are advocates of peace and want to live peacefully in their own country and in harmony with neighboring countries. They are not in favor of dogs of war.

There must be peace loving political culture. If at all there is some misunderstanding among countries international law is there. We must not forget that UNO exists on the earth. UNO should be given more powers to keep peace on this earth. Political statements should be given without offending any sect and the neighboring country. It is our duty to find war mongers in politics and shunt them out of it soon so that they are not seen in any political leaders map. The vacuum thus created should be filled by the genuine people liberating the political culture from the jingoist political leaders. 

A Heart Piercing Slogan:

Picking a slogan and using it time and again to show nations development while the poor farmers are committing suicide hurts those who are linked with them. Counting efforts to achieve development on various aspects is sure to be appreciated and welcome. To stop using the slogan is the first step to apply a balm on the wounds of people who are related or emotionally attached with those poor farmers who have committed suicide.

Those who are in power and can bring a change must look into the lives of poor farmers. If honestly they spare their time to look into their lives there will be a lot of improvement in the plight of poor farmers. Among the farmers who committed suicide, most of them ploughed the land acquired on contract basis. They paid the fixed amount in advance. They also paid for the seed, fertilizers, and diesel etc. To meet all such expenses they arranged for the loans. But due to unfavorable marketing they were so much depressed that they were compelled to commit suicide. A proper advice, proper marketing and optimum minimum support price is the need of the hour.

If something good is done for them their prayers shall ascend towards heaven and the blessings shall descend and rest upon them who brought good time to them.

VIOLENT SPEECHES

Violent speeches may disturb peace, cause looting and murder. People may feel alienated in their own land. These speeches are threat to the freedom of other people. These may demonize us to kill other members of our own species. Those people who spit such venomous speeches should be immediately put behind the bars as they are danger to the freedom of others.

There should be more strict laws to save our earth to get violence tainted. It should be ensured that these should be strictly enforced. No one should be allowed to create a ridge between different religions, caste, language and the region. These may cause looting, mass murder and disturbed peace. It may undermine the global unity and may damage the global relations. We must understand the person facing the consequences of the violence speech is a loved one and needed by someone.

Violent speeches are hindrance to other developmental projects. Most of people want their daily bread, clothes to wear, house to live in, a regular job and certain other basic needs of life. Violent speech should be considered as sickness and should be removed from the face of earth. We should keep in our mind that violence breeds violence.  We should never forget that repression brings retaliation somewhere in other part of the earth. Dr. Martin believed that hate cannot drive out hate. It is time to think how far the famous quote of Mahatma Gandhi is correct ‘An eye for an eye will only make the whole world blind’. Keeping in mind the consequences of a violent speech there should be more strict laws and those in power should get it implemented only then and then the peace will prevail in the world leading to the atmosphere of overall development, the right for all to be treated with dignity and the freedom from fear of violence. 

Swami Vivekanand’s impact on the freedom struggle of India:

Swami Vivekanand’s impact on the freedom struggle of India:

Many people look at the past and live in it. Swami ji preached to look at the past and move toward modernity. His preaching enabled to look towards past to get strength to move to get freedom with the confidence that we deserved it.

Swami Vivekananda emphasized that instead of tolerating we should accept people from different cast and religion.

Swami ji brought people of India from different casts and religion on one platform and asked them to struggle for the freedom of India and predicted that it will take 50 years to reach the goal.

Swami vivekananda has given full strength to the freedom. He felt that freedom opens the gate of development. He stressed that it is the right of every human being. 

Our National leader Subhash Chandra Bose was highly impressed by Swamiji. Subhash chandra Bose Considered Nationalism came up by swami Vivekananda. Nationalism steamed the Indian freedom struggle. Pt. Jawahar Lal Nehru considered that freedom struggle of India marched ahead due to the thoughts of Swamiji. Chakravarti Raj gopalchariya boldly gave credit of Indian freedom struggle to Swami Vivekananda. Sri Aurobindo gosh was so much spelled by Swamiji’s that he proclaimed that his thoughts are the best of all to get freedom of India.  

Evening colleges-A gateway to development…

There are very few evening colleges in most of the areas. Many areas are without evening colleges. The policy of learning while earning fails where the timing of the evening college starts before five pm.

If the Government or the private colleges pay attention towards infra structure and the competent staff there will be more and more enrollment of the students.

It will not be a boon for those only who want to continue their study along with their livelihood but it will be beneficial for the society as well because it will create the educated class all around.  

It is the moral duty of every Government to think about the poor who are less privileged for their development and give them equal opportunity for the progress.  

Advantages and disadvantages of mobile phones used by school students

Mobile phones, like other things have advantages as well as disadvantages. If it is taken to school there are chances of distraction from studies and cheating. There are chances of invasion of privacy by its misuse. It may also cause accident if attended while driving towards the school. 

But! A big but! It is an attack on the freedom of a student as well as an insult of the decision of most of the parents who gave mobile phone to their children, if it is banned to bring it to the school. So far as distraction from the studies is concerned the authority may instruct to keep it in silence mode and may ask the students not to bring the mobile in the examination hall to stop cheating by its misuse. Mobile is a substitute of paper and pencil. It may also help to add to the knowledge through internet use. Its proper use can be taught to the students by the teachers and parents. It is one of the best tools used after the school in life. So there remains no idea to ban mobile phones in school. We must believe our children and their intelligence.

Moreover the safety of the children must be given priority as the mobile phone keeps the children and the parents in contact with each other.  Its misuse by a few students should not be the cause to ban mobile phone in the school.  

Eradication of poverty:

Increase in prices at global level is a great threat and the reason to increase poverty at global level.

Poverty compels people not to send their children especially girls to school resulting early marriage which further aggravates the situation by the increase in the population which is directly proportional to the poverty. Circumstances direct us to give top priority to this issue otherwise there will be birth of vicious cycle and there will be no end of poverty.

It is the moral duty of every Government to impart training to the people and make them skilled so that they may fulfill the basic needs of their family through decent jobs.

Health care, education and housing should not be a major problem for anybody.

To understand poor people we should often visit them and talk to them so that we may understand that what they know and what can be done to uplift them and eradicate the poverty from the globe.

There should be no discrimination but there should be tolerance and respect for diversity across the globe.

It is important to know who deserves the responsibility to lead the nation and can eradicate the poverty.  People should rise up above other unimportant issues and should focus on eradication of poverty, decent job and social relationship. They should use the power to vote with great care. People should vote and support person with responsive decision making capabilities.

The echo of the poor man’s voice should reach to the persons having international influence. 

Rape a violation of human rights

 Though 25^th November is celebrated as the international day for eliminating violence against women& 25^th of every month is observed as the day to wear orange color to show solidarity with the campaign to end violence against women/ girls still there is violation against women and girls.

It is a threat to security of about 50% of the total population of the world.

We must explore the ways to end this menace.

Feeding wrong masculine cult gives birth to violation against women/girls. A wrong old saying like “Women and bells must be struck regularly” further aggravates their grievances.

Violence against women and girls is the violence against the humanity.

Many girls are married before 18 thus curbing their chances of progress and creating many other problems. Violence against women and girls has reached to an intolerable situation. We are to explore how to prevent this cruelty.  We are to unite and raise awareness to stop menace of violence against women and girls.

More women are to be deployed at all important places.

 Ensure access to essential services if crime is committed.  Many women/girls suffer in silence. It the responsibility of all the Governments to humanize those men folk who have strayed from the right path on which they should be.

Without persistent efforts we cannot get rid of this menace. 

Honor of the voters:

Many deserving people are kept outside parliament by the present system& intention.

There are a number of people who are undisputed and have done a lot in their field. There is no dearth of people who don’t want to plunge in election process either due to money or lack of interest.

Nomination of a person to Rajya Sabha who has not won the seat in elections is not only insult of the voters but a denial to competent man from his field.

The right of nomination should be confined to the selection of person who has appreciable achievements in his field and has not participated to get himself elected.

It will not only be the justice to a deserving man but will give the society the best what can be dreamed about.

Not to nominate a person who had been defeated in the election will be an acceptance of the people’s verdict and give a chance to the party and the person concerned to think about the reasons of the failure thus giving them chance to improve themselves in future.

Actual roots of corruption

During the elections we come to know through media about the cache by the law enforcing agencies which include illicit drugs, liquor or cash. Later we hear about the corrupt practices adopted by some of the politicians. We hear about the road blockages, long speeches etc.

We forget about the actual roots of corruption. Many of us forget to say no to the drugs, liquor or cash when it is offered for votes. We forget to think that he may plan to compensate the expenditure incurred during the elections. We forget to think he may accumulate money to spend during the next elections. Why some of us think he will indulge in corruption for us only? Why don’t we think he shall adopt the wrong means to gather the money for himself& his family if gathered the money for the above said purposes?

Why we forget self analysis? Those having a powerful voice or a mighty pen& our religious preachers can make us to think, “Are we not providing a well fertilized land for corruption?” It is impossible to make a corruption free nation till we don’t know& realize the actual root of corruption…