“Sorry sir, I am out of station. No programs this time.”
“Okay, my best wishes for Martyrs day.”
“Thanks and wish you the same.”
Just after five minutes a school teacher called me.
“Sir, our management asked the teachers to speak in the school assembly on three values that the students should practice. I gave my name. The three values that I am going to speak about are: sacrifice, patience and perseverance.
All the values are combined in Mahatma Gandhi. So tomorrow being Martyrs Day, I am going to speak about him and the sacrificial life of the Gandhian Economist, Mr.J C.Kumarappa. I need more details about him. Can you please tell me now?”
For another thirty minutes I narrated online the life of Mr.J C.Kumarappa and how once being this Professor of the American economic model based on the ‘survival of the fittest’ was converted into an activist of the ‘economy of permanence’ by the influence of Mahatma Gandhi, settling in a remote village, T.Kallupatti near Madurai, promoting kadhi, rural industries and agriculture.
The teacher was surprised and happy to learn all these details and shot the same question.
“Sir, what about the Martyrs Day programme in GPF?”
“Madam, we celebrated it just now. I shared details of a Martyr and you listened. This is real. On the other hand if we invite people for an organised lecture, it is unrealistic.”
“You are right sir. When people forget the sacrifice of all the Martyrs, why invite them and force them to learn? If they are eager, let them, like me, call you! By the way, where are you sir?”
“I am in a remote village near Uthiramerur, educating students studying in classes 6-9 in a culture of peace.”
“What do you do there?”
“I am fighting against the Monster who is thousands of times mightier than the British domination… the Monster slowly swallows all our children’s lives at the root …”
“You mean… the craze of modernity, the fashion, the gambling games… the wars… the robotic lifestyle… am I right sir?”
“Ofcourse yes…. but this Monster puts an end to the creativity of all our children…”
“Sir, who needs creativity in this modern time? What one needs is money and the skill to earn it easily….you can comfortably do it by copying the calculative mind that is best taught by the simple mobile with all its apps …”
“Does joy come out of money or creativity?”
“Sir, nowadays our youth needs only pleasure not Joy….”
“But, my dear teacher, what are the problems you face with your students in your class?”
“A lot sir…yeah… that is a great problem sir… no focus, no attention, no concentration, unorganised, depressed, stressed, arrogant, disobedient, manipulative,…the teachers find it very difficult to complete the lessons….”
“What is your response?”
“Sir, we advise, punish and even beat them. Even then we feel helpless. They do not correct their mistakes. I cannot bring any change in their behaviour.”
“Then why do you use those ineffective tools that are: advice, punishment and beating?”
“ But sir, they have to get good marks and reputation for me and for the school… to get a good job… they have to study well sir…”
“Teacher, what is your aim in life?”
“Sir, as everyone else…earn a lot of money, more comforts and save wealth for our future… etc.”
“And you teach the same to your students?”
“Of course Sir…they have to progress….”
“Are they holistic values?”
“What do you mean… sir?”
“Holistic values are those values explored by one for one’s own self by holistic observation. Do you encourage children to observe their lives holistically….?”
“Sir, what are you talking about? Not enough time to complete our lessons, write reports and we have to conduct extra classes to finish the portions…. you mean meditation?”
“No… no meditation. What I meant was… do your students observe and be aware of what they do every moment?”
“Sir, you are matured.… all students are becoming addicted to mobile, media, gambling games, video games and copying what others do….. moreover, smoking, chewing pawns, liquor and drugs are fast spreading among them …..you must be aware of all these things ….”
“Teacher, is it because you try to put them in a cage of the ‘so called education system’ and cripple them?”
“Sir, you have to blame the system, society and the lifestyle that spoils them…not us…..we are actually trying to save them…”
“If it is so, why do they not listen to you? Why should you punish and beat them and cajole them to listen to you?”
“Not all sir…a few students only…”
“Those few are the rebels…? rebelling against an insane system?”
“Sir, do you mean to say we, the teachers, are insane?”
“If you are sane, you won’t beat, scold and punish them…instead, first try to explore who you are…that will help the students explore themselves….”
“Sir, you are confusing… okay sir…. let me call you later…I will have to prepare my speech about the three values….”
“Just a minute, teacher…don’t you want to know who that monster is?”
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