And, what can be a better example to that than India. I am sure Mr. Bok would have had
India in mind while quoting this …We have been trying that a lot since generations and it seems that now we are just starting to realize it – at least to some extent. And that is why I believe we can see a small but powerful wave of new generation education reformists rising in our country trying to play their part.. Will briefly introduce some of them later.
Also, at this point, please allow me, to make it clear that though the usage of terms in the quote seem to imply only about financial repercussions and I am not exactly sure about what Mr. Bok. meant when he quoted it ..But I’d like to see it on a bit broader and deeper level. Let me elaborate a little bit on this.. Education is Expensive – It is for sure expensive in financial terms but it is also expensive in terms of the amount of dedication and perseverance and thus time it expects us to put in, the passion and love (a dangerous word though but have to use it) it requires from us from whatever little we have. That is how it becomes expensive. To take an example, Siddharth left his family, kids, palaces, his whole kingdom and all the luxuries in the world just to understand ..What the hell is goin on ? that was the cost he was ready to pay and paid it ..and we all know what happened than…including that he was kicked out of
India ..
So, now after putting in so much of our resources, what can we expect from it: See I generally don’t like talking about things in a businesslike way ..but I have come to realize that this is best way (and probably the only way) most of us understand most of the things …
I learnt my first lesson on this from my dad. I used to read some weird books …during my graduation ..I still do ..which have nothing to do with my education or job or success in normal terms …and used to spend quite a considerable time on it ..and whenever my dad finds me reading all that stuff(instead of reading the books on my curriculum or business books on strategies and how to be a good manager and all…) he got very curious about the whole thing …and used to ask me a very pertinent question ..why do you read all these things? My response would be that I read it because I like it . I love reading these books …to this he used to get more surprised and will ask another question ..but what exactly do you think you would get out of it ? well, well, well, I said there you are … I was caught …I normally say (I still say it) I am not sure ..if I would really get anything out of it …then he says ..if that is the case, my son ..than what is the point in reading all this and wasting your time …And the way he says all this makes me realize that we both are from different planets. So, I use my last weapon to convince him. dad we don’t do everything because we would get something in return … We do something’s because we just love doing it … and then comes the time ..when, he wonders about me ..(Probably, he thinks that I hope the babies were not exchanged in the hospital. and he’s really my son..) and I wonder .. If I am right or he is right…On the contrary, Had I said that reading all that stuff will make me a Guru within the next five years and then I will be rolling out on a Rolls Royce giving speeches to millions of idiots around the world ..he would have been happier..Krishna Baba ki Jay ..u know …But can’t say that..
Coming back to the point, The least we can expect is Financial returns – (skills and abilities) which is nonetheless important but it is just one of the important things and never the most important thing… what are the other things then….I believe that we as a society shall atleast ensure that every child comes out of the system with an understanding of or at least a real & deep urge or search for finding/understanding these things. (pls. don’t ask me how..rather, tell me how)
· Who we are ? The most baffling puzzle of all times, Who am I?
· Purpose of our life in general and his/her in specific
· Understanding the nature of one’s relationship with the world.
Well I believe this is too much to ask for what we have so far been able to achieve on those fronts, but the least we can expect our education is to keep our genuine curiosity or say passion alive for searching all this… and to say in other words… Developing a love for learning and understanding…not with an aim of getting anything in return but just pure love… (Now, here, I must admit that I am talking about what I have not yet completely experienced …but I understand this because I have experienced the pain of loving (at least pretending to) anything and anyone with the hope of getting something in return.. I mean to say that If one is educated for the sole purpose of earning and nothing else and even if his is highly successful at that, I am sure that sooner or later that person will realize (if one is lucky enough to have his conscience alive till that time) that it was a costly affair no matter how much money one has accumulated and even donated S/he will repent. That’s the fate of it. That’s the fate of a body without a soul/life in it. it stinks – sooner or later…
I understand that some thoughts mentioned above are fragmented and not very well linked ..but this was just the stuff straight out of my mind at this point without much editing and filtering …Thanks for bearing with me .
