Ultimate solution to educational crisis

A religion focussed solely on education is the ultimate solution to end all the educational woes of our society. 

I recently finished watching Zeitgeist and reading the book Rise of Kali by Anand Neelkantan. What's prominent in both these intellectual discourses is that dominant people in the society fabricate the rules and ways of a religion to influence and manipulate the commoners.

Theists who lead life within the constraints of a religion follow anything that the priests/religious authorities put forth as the good code for life. Imagine a religion based purely on making the population rational thinkers set out to create a free and equal society. The followers of such a religion based on the ideals of democratic education would definitely solve problems in our education system.

If anything can save the doom of education then it is a strong blind faith that will make people believe in any tough way of life and fanatism that will fuel the minds with a craziness.

Book review: Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother

Battle hymn of the tiger
mother

The sprout sings tale of adult tree grandeur
-Kannada proverb

During a time in India when the demarcating line between western and Indian culture is slowly fading, I came across a book which was much criticized by westerners. Amy Chua is a Chinese mother who presents a memoir of her strict parenting in this book which faced ridicule from many people. Being an Indian I wasn't much shocked at any of her methods.

Amy was a strict parent who allowed her kids to do nothing apart from their studies and music. Her daughters were not allowed most of the fun things which other American kids take for granted. But I didn't feel it's abnormal to not allow your kids sleepovers, play dates or silly tree/rock roles in school plays. My mother never allowed me to stay at a friend's place for longer than 8:30 p.m until my graduation days. I could hang out (attend sleepovers) with only 3 of my best friends whom my mom most trusted. We Indians accept it as a way of life for the reasons of safety ans status. The author Amy was a task master who put her daughters Sophia and Louisa (Lulu) through rigorous regular practice of Piano and Violin respectively in their childhood. Although the girls missed a few jabber at sleepovers they were groomed to be the best pianist and violinist. Amy's children became the child prodigies in their respective music fields achieving so much which even grown ups are left dreaming about.

Amy's methods are strict often bordering near tyranny, nevertheless this book is written in a sardonic tone with Amy indirectly mocking at her own methods and blowing most of the situations out of normalcy. When one finishes reading this book, a feeling of motivation lingers in mind. I couldn't help but accept capable of achieving anything I set my mind on. I got to think about few situations where I have out-rightly rebelled against my mom's suggestions and totally screwed up my chance at being awesome. This is a book not limited to just parenting but stretches to question unplanned living versus well planned one. It is shown that any big success comes by not taking an easy road but the one which demands time and energy.

This is a breezy read for anyone looking forward to indulge in a controversial book. The book has a major chunk of piano and violin lingo which puts off non-musical readers. For Indian crowd akin to watching strict parents guiding most of their children's life decisions, this book is not in the slightest bit controversial. This will prove to be yet another strict parent glorifying her children's lives.

I agree with the author's methods of parenting which give children all the necessary education in hard work, dedication, importance of winning and of course setting high expectations and meeting them.

My takeaway from the book:
Complement passion with hard work and get myself the best of my own capabilities.

Reflection on status of women!!

Indians are well aware of the mentality where girls are forbidden to receive education to their heart's content. Though Indian secular society is not as vile as it's Pakistani counterpart, there still exists a general belief among a considerable portion of the society that "girls are better suited for kitchen work". Although this menial thinking of Indians is up for a change, our neighbouring country faces the devilish wrath of Islamic fanatics who more than discourage women education.

Malala Yousafzai, a 14 year old child who has been nominated for the International Children's Peace Prize and has won Pakistan's first National Youth Peace Prize has done more than what an adult could have possibly done for  advocating women education. During the first battle of Swat (Malala's hometown), taliban had a ban on music, entertainment, shopping and education for women. It was then that Malala wrote a blog for BBC under a pseudonym that put her under Taliban's radar. For 3 years of continuous fight for women education, Malala was gifted with 2 bullets by Taliban-one on her neck and the other on her head. In hope that the activist doesn't wither as a martyr, I pray for her speedy recovery and for Pakistani women empowerment. More on Malala:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malala_Yousafzai .

The dire terrorism is not as widespread in India as it is in our neighbouring Islamic countries. However  women still do not live in the egalitarian society which is usually spoken of. There is a harsh realistic distinction between developed India and the actual India. In a recent survey of 128 countries India has been ranked 115 for women economic empowerment. A small portion of the affluent and upper middle class societies have independent free women. But the major chunk of Indian populace- the middle class is bewildered and in a state of confusion. While middle class men want their houses and children to be looked after by intelligent wise women, they haven't yet come in terms with handling an economically independent women sect. The idea of their women not being dependable terrifies Indian men. The double standards of Indian men as well as women is on display below:

I want my princess daughter to grow up as sushil-sharmili and one day become the president of India!
Dude if your daughter doesn't pick up the qualities of assertiveness and confidence during her initial years of growing up how do you think she would look like as an adult? Social, brave and outgoing or gullible, dependent and introvert!!

We do not want her to face the hardships of hostel life; she is going to be fine a doctor without all that!
Mr and Mrs. Helicopter parents,

Yes sure! As soon as your daughter becomes a doctor she is going to be protected 24*7 by the chivalrous good hearted male colleagues. She just needs to know how to handle stethoscope and not worry about handling people. On seeing a female doctor, people will just be super nice and won't give her a hard time.

Yours sincerely
A girl from hostel and the one who believes it was a waste of time living there

My little girl is adept at doing household chores and even helps her brother in his studies. We don't want to burden him with the meagre household tasks!
Such a noble decision. Why would a boy learn to do his work when he has mother and sister to care for him? Even in future his dear daddy would find a daughter in law on whom the son can burden his work! While the daughter would sweat it out in her sasural bringing good name to her parents. Such a happy story.

Honey! Please give up hopes of higher education and get married. We cannot afford yours while we have a son's higher education to look after.
The obliging ideal well cultured daughter should consider it her fate that her parents even allowed her to get a degree. She should now channelize her search for a groom who would sponsor her higher education.

Watching TV
Dad says:
We completely support the causes of slut walk and find these remarks derogatory!
Mom snaps at her daughter:
Don't you have any shame wearing such provocative top; immediately change your dress. And you are not entering our house unless you return the knee length skirt to the shop.

Not to forget the final and most important burden placed on Indian girls: that of looking fair and lovely. How many girls are condemned and deprived of opportunities for not being fair or beautiful? Of course not in the field of glamour but in day to day life. While India has been blessed with education opportunities for women, its high time that education is made good use of. Let the hypocrisy die soon and girls be as free to lead a satisfactory life as boys are.