Indian education system. A hot topic for debate. Taught in schools the mundane way, learning by the same pen and paper, the resemblance does not end here. We pass out with a terribly similar skill set and mode of thinking, even sharing an approach to problems. Thus, leaving little space for the natural creativity and wildness of thought that is inherently a part of every child. Doubtless, such a system has its critics. Implications of killing interest, mitigating difference in perspective, leaving little room for diversity and innovation.
Expectations from children are, to a great extent, identical often leading them to adjust their ambitions to match them. Strangely comparable to an assembly line production in a factory. Reminds me of a scene from Matrix where hundreds of men and women in black suits are shown to be going about their daily life and work.
What surprises me is that some times, students are even supposed to behave in the same manner. There are certain modes of conduct to be followed, only certain ways of learning and mugging, and you get this wisdom from the seniors. The cycle repeats; with a handing down of the gems through the years and generations.
What harm would it do society to encourage a child who wants to go the maverick way. What good would it do a child to squash his dreams of standing out by doing something out of the ordinary. Becoming an art therapist, bomb disposal squad agent, forest guard, orchestra conductor, game evaluator, fire fighter, sailor.
You don't have to get all rich and successful. Just do what makes you content.
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Friday, November 21, 2008
Remnants
Die hard movie buffs would find it sacrilegious to hear me talking about the soporific power of movies. :p I do enjoy watching historical movies and a few thought provoking ones. I guess I'm more into music that way. I'm sure you'd all know. :D
I thought of writing this post about movie scenes that I've found unquestionably beautiful. I've always been touched by the scene from The Village where the feared creatures attack in the midst of a wedding. The lead lady, being blind, is unsure of where to go. Without saying a word, Joaquin Phoenix comes up and takes her hand, to lead her away from the clamor to safety. Her fear and uncertainty dissolve into confidence. Even though the two were not romantically involved, the affection was evident. As was his wish to protect her from danger and her unbinding faith in him. It seemed to me like the epitome of love and care.
One of my favorite movies, Lion King; I've found the part where Mufasa dies heart wrenching. He was projected as the invincible good king, deeply loved and revered by his subjects. Yet he dies trying to save his little son from danger. That is when the soft and vulnerable side of him is exposed. Even a great, god like figure must possess some weakness, some eventuality he fears, some one he loves. The mighty yet tender hand of the father. He who cares not for his own life, willingly throwing himself amongst the herd of rampaging bulls. As he would in a war to kill and to protect. Strangely, his face speaks of fear and death, that of his son, rather than courage and immortality.
There are many more I would like to write about but I need to sleep now ;) so it's going to be my next post.
Back again.
Deviating slightly from the topic, I just finished reading Anthem by Ayn Rand. What fascinated me about the book was the amazing simplicity, acidic bluntness and thoughtfulness with which she brings out a clear cut fact of life. I am the most important person in this world. The concept of "we" is just an illusion meant to appease the weak and insecure. It just is not possible for one to live his life by being entirely dependent on his fellow mates for happiness. Because there is no surety that people will stay around you forever. So what will you do once they leave. How will you break the attachment you had. People and possessions are only fleeting. They come and they leave. Nothing lasts forever. You are a denizen of the earth yourself. But your soul and mind are the only things that will always give you company for as long as you are alive and feeling. You have to be the prime cause of your joys and successes. You have to live for yourself. You just cannot surrender your soul to the multitude of people milling around you. It's the only way to survive the insanity of this world.
I thought of writing this post about movie scenes that I've found unquestionably beautiful. I've always been touched by the scene from The Village where the feared creatures attack in the midst of a wedding. The lead lady, being blind, is unsure of where to go. Without saying a word, Joaquin Phoenix comes up and takes her hand, to lead her away from the clamor to safety. Her fear and uncertainty dissolve into confidence. Even though the two were not romantically involved, the affection was evident. As was his wish to protect her from danger and her unbinding faith in him. It seemed to me like the epitome of love and care.
One of my favorite movies, Lion King; I've found the part where Mufasa dies heart wrenching. He was projected as the invincible good king, deeply loved and revered by his subjects. Yet he dies trying to save his little son from danger. That is when the soft and vulnerable side of him is exposed. Even a great, god like figure must possess some weakness, some eventuality he fears, some one he loves. The mighty yet tender hand of the father. He who cares not for his own life, willingly throwing himself amongst the herd of rampaging bulls. As he would in a war to kill and to protect. Strangely, his face speaks of fear and death, that of his son, rather than courage and immortality.
There are many more I would like to write about but I need to sleep now ;) so it's going to be my next post.
Back again.
Deviating slightly from the topic, I just finished reading Anthem by Ayn Rand. What fascinated me about the book was the amazing simplicity, acidic bluntness and thoughtfulness with which she brings out a clear cut fact of life. I am the most important person in this world. The concept of "we" is just an illusion meant to appease the weak and insecure. It just is not possible for one to live his life by being entirely dependent on his fellow mates for happiness. Because there is no surety that people will stay around you forever. So what will you do once they leave. How will you break the attachment you had. People and possessions are only fleeting. They come and they leave. Nothing lasts forever. You are a denizen of the earth yourself. But your soul and mind are the only things that will always give you company for as long as you are alive and feeling. You have to be the prime cause of your joys and successes. You have to live for yourself. You just cannot surrender your soul to the multitude of people milling around you. It's the only way to survive the insanity of this world.
Blood Bulls
The other day I saw a huge banner dangling in front of IMDC which read Placements 2009, making it sound like the name of some local fair. Two days later I found that it was exactly that! There were several high profile companies sitting in different rooms, all come to recruit the best students. Day Zero had sounded like a dream when it was described to us by our seniors. For us, it was more of a nightmare. Recruiters trying to make offers early on to ensure that no others got the best candidates. All of them asking how many other offers we had and how many more interviews we had left. Were they apprehensive? Probably. Of markets? Oh yeah. And we? Not so much at first. But with the passing hours, we realized just how difficult getting a job would be. Were we desperate? Boy, yeah! It felt more like imploring, begging for jobs.
It really did not feel like what one could imagine the much-hyped placements to be like. A natural thought was that, as students who were being sold through one of the most successful recruiting agencies in a top educational institution, we would not have to face the full blast of the global meltdown. Maybe a bit tougher this time, but not terribly disturbing. Or so we were led to believe. That did not even begin to capture the ordeal most of us went through. There was hardly a choice of any kind or type. Capped by the mental trauma induced by waiting in the airport lounge like place all day long. We were mentally drained. With barely any strength left to confront the panel smiling at you and asking about your life. Tormented by the thank you. Knowing that you were faced by the ultimate test of patience. Any words I use would be a mere shadow of the anguish I'd felt. At times, on the verge of disintegrating.
For even the wisest, it was totally unanticipated. We all knew the markets were bad, but most of us had failed to grasp the enormity of the situation. We sure did not realize Day Zero would be this, dunno how to put it here, depressing? Especially after the rosy picture painted the previous year. Now morphed into a mirage. For us and for them. The situation was considerably better in the next few days with everyone working towards just one goal - get them all placed!
The technicalities of the scheduling process were kind of weird. A little random. But it was probably the best and only solution seeing the quality and preferences of students. All the sudden interview calls. The occasional argument between the company HR and PlaceCom about how the scheduling was messed up and it did not allow companies to "take away the top 25%" like they all wanted to. It was one of the craziest things I've ever seen!
It was fun volunteering for the remaining days. Made one appreciate just how challenging the job of a PlaceCommer can be! But fun nevertheless. Its a unique experience, nothing comparable to any other college. Made even better by the free pizzas and chocolate milkshakes ;D We had all become so involved that most of our discussions centered around how many students had been placed and how many were still left in the process. It was as much of a relief to be placed as it was to see others placed. And then the whole batch!
A lot of us did not get the sector, firm or division of our choice. But we were ok with it. Maybe from a more holistic point of view. Or at least will be in ten days time :P
They'd said it right the first time. It was the place for all the pain and happiness in the world.
:)
It really did not feel like what one could imagine the much-hyped placements to be like. A natural thought was that, as students who were being sold through one of the most successful recruiting agencies in a top educational institution, we would not have to face the full blast of the global meltdown. Maybe a bit tougher this time, but not terribly disturbing. Or so we were led to believe. That did not even begin to capture the ordeal most of us went through. There was hardly a choice of any kind or type. Capped by the mental trauma induced by waiting in the airport lounge like place all day long. We were mentally drained. With barely any strength left to confront the panel smiling at you and asking about your life. Tormented by the thank you. Knowing that you were faced by the ultimate test of patience. Any words I use would be a mere shadow of the anguish I'd felt. At times, on the verge of disintegrating.
For even the wisest, it was totally unanticipated. We all knew the markets were bad, but most of us had failed to grasp the enormity of the situation. We sure did not realize Day Zero would be this, dunno how to put it here, depressing? Especially after the rosy picture painted the previous year. Now morphed into a mirage. For us and for them. The situation was considerably better in the next few days with everyone working towards just one goal - get them all placed!
The technicalities of the scheduling process were kind of weird. A little random. But it was probably the best and only solution seeing the quality and preferences of students. All the sudden interview calls. The occasional argument between the company HR and PlaceCom about how the scheduling was messed up and it did not allow companies to "take away the top 25%" like they all wanted to. It was one of the craziest things I've ever seen!
It was fun volunteering for the remaining days. Made one appreciate just how challenging the job of a PlaceCommer can be! But fun nevertheless. Its a unique experience, nothing comparable to any other college. Made even better by the free pizzas and chocolate milkshakes ;D We had all become so involved that most of our discussions centered around how many students had been placed and how many were still left in the process. It was as much of a relief to be placed as it was to see others placed. And then the whole batch!
A lot of us did not get the sector, firm or division of our choice. But we were ok with it. Maybe from a more holistic point of view. Or at least will be in ten days time :P
They'd said it right the first time. It was the place for all the pain and happiness in the world.
:)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
