Address and Interaction With School Children of Bhuj, Kutch District, Gujarat
Kutch District, Gujarat : 15-02-2007
Teachers transform Young Lives
"Knowledge makes you great"
I am delighted to address and interact with the students of all the schools situated in and around Bhuj. My greetings to the teachers, students, parents and other distinguished guests participating in this function. When I am with you, I would like to talk about how ?Teachers transform young lives?.
First Teacher - My Father
To begin with I am going to talk to you about my father Janab Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen, as a teacher. My father taught me a great lesson when I was a young boy. What was that lesson? It was just after India got independence. At that time panchayat board elections took place at Rameswaram. My father was elected panchayat board member and on the same day he was also elected the President of Rameswaram Panchayat Board. Rameswaram Island was a beautiful place with 30,000 populations. At that time, they elected my father as panchayat board President not because he belonged to a particular religion or a particular caste or spoke a particular language or for his economic status. He was elected only on the basis of his nobility of mind and for being a good human being. I would like to narrate one incident that took place on the day he was elected President of Panchayat board.
I was at that time studying in School. Those days we did not have electricity and we used to study under rationed kerosene lamps. I was reading the lessons loudly and I heard a knock at the door. We never used to lock the door in Rameswaram in those days. Somebody opened the door, came in and asked me where my father was? I told him that father had gone for evening Namaz. Then he said, I have brought something for him, can I keep it here? Since my father had gone for Namaz, I shouted for my mother to get her permission to receive the item. Since she was also on the Namaz there was no response. I asked the person to leave the item on the cot. After that I continued my studies.
I used to learn by reading aloud in my younger days. I was reading loud and fully concentrating on my studies. At that time my father came in and saw a tambalum kept in the cot. He asked me "what is this? Who has given that?" I told him, "somebody came and has kept this for you". He opened the cover of the tambalum and found there was a costly dhoti, angawastram, some fruits and some sweets and he could see the slip that the person had left behind. He was upset at the sight of the Tambalum and gifts left by some one. I was the youngest child of my father, he really loved me and I also loved him a lot. That was the first time I saw him very angry and also that was the first time I had got a thorough beating from him. I got frightened and started weeping. My mother embraced and consoled me. Then my father came and touched my shoulder lovingly with affection and advised me not to receive any gift without his permission. He quoted an Islamic Hadith, which states, "when the almighty appoints a person to a position, He takes care of his provision. If a person takes anything beyond that, it is an illegal gain." Then he told me that it is not a good habit. Gift is always accompanied by some purpose and a gift is a dangerous thing. It is like touching a snake and getting the poison in turn. This lesson stands out always in my mind even when I am in my seventies. This incident, taught me a very valuable lesson for my life. It is deeply embedded in my mind.
I would also like to mention the writings in Manu Smriti which states that ?By Accepting gifts the divine light in the person gets extinguished?. Manu warns every individual against accepting gifts for the reason that it places the acceptor under an obligation in favour of the person who gave the gift and ultimately it results in making a person to do things which are not permitted according to law.
I am sharing this thought, with all of you since I would like to impress on you that do not be carried away by any gift which comes with a purpose and through which one loses his or her personality greatly.
My second teacher - Primary School teacher Shri Siva Subramania Iyer
When I think of my second teacher, I am reminded of my childhood days while I was studying in 5th class at the age of 10. I had a teacher, Shri Siva Subramania Iyer. He was one of the very good teachers in our school. All of us loved to attend his class and hear him. One day he was teaching about bird's flight. He drew a diagram of a bird on the blackboard depicting the wings, tail and the body structure with the head. He explained how the birds create the lift and fly. He also explained to us how they change direction while flying. Nearly for 25 minutes he gave the lecture with various information such as lift, drag, how the birds fly in a formation of 10, 20 or 30. At the end of the class, he wanted to know whether we understood how the birds fly. I said, I did not understand how the birds fly. When I said this, the teacher asked the other students whether they understood or not. Many students said that they also did not understand. He did not get upset by our response since he was a committed teacher.
Our teacher said that he would take all of us to the sea shore. That evening the whole class was at the sea shore of Rameswaram. We enjoyed the roaring sea waves knocking at the sandy hills in the pleasant evening. Birds were flying with sweet chirping. He showed the sea birds in formations of 10 to 20 numbers. We saw the marvelous formations of birds with a purpose and we were all amazed. He showed us the birds and asked us to see that when the birds fly, what they looked like. We saw the wings flapping. He asked us to look at the tail portion with the combination of flapping wings and twisting tail. We noticed closely and found that the birds in that condition flew in the direction they desired. Then he asked us a question, where the engine is and how it is powered. Bird is powered by its own life and the motivation of what it wants. All these things were explained to us within fifteen minutes. We all understood the whole bird dynamics from this practical example. How nice it was? Our teacher was a great teacher; he could give us a theoretical lesson coupled with a live practical example available in nature. This is real teaching. I am sure many of the teachers in schools and colleges will follow this example.
For me, it was not merely an understanding of how a bird flies. The bird's flight entered into me and created a special feeling. From that evening, I thought that my future study has to be with reference to flight and flight systems. I am saying this because my teacher's teaching and the event that I witnessed decided my future career. Then, one evening after the classes, I asked the teacher, "Sir, please tell me, how to progress further in learning all about flight." He patiently explained to me that I should complete 8th class, and then go to high school, and then I should go to engineering college that may lead to education on flight. If I complete all my education with excellence, I might do something connected with flight sciences. This advice and the bird flying exercise given by my teacher, really gave me a goal and a mission for my life. When I went to college, I took Physics. When I went to engineering in Madras Institute of Technology, I took Aeronautical Engineering.
Thus my life was transformed as a rocket engineer, aerospace engineer and technologist. That one incident of my teacher teaching the lesson, showing the visual live example proved to be a turning point in my life which eventually shaped my profession.
My third teacher ? Iyadurai Solomon
My teacher, Iyadurai Solomon, was an ideal guide for an eager young mind that was yet uncertain of the possibilities and alternatives that lay before it. He made his students feel very comfortable in the class with his warm and open minded attitude. He used to say that a good student could learn more from a bad teacher than a poor student from even a skilled teacher. During my stay at Ramanathapuram, my relationship with him grew beyond that of teacher and pupil. In his company, I learnt that one could exercise enormous influence over the events of one?s own life. Iyadurai Solomon used to say, ?To succeed in life and achieve results, you must understand and master three mighty forces- desire, belief and expectation.? Iyadurai Solomon, who later became a Reverend, taught me that before anything I wanted could happen, I had to desire it intensely and be absolutely certain it would happen. I have seen him giving coaching free to many students who were not doing well in the class. They used to make up and subsequently perform better. This message, I am sure is applicable to all the students and youth of today. If all of you desire to live in a developed India you will definitely achieve. Now, I would like to discuss about the experience of my friend who was studying during the period 1955 to 1960 in Villupuram.
My friend Prof. N. Balakrishnan, Associate Director, IISc, Bangalore was studying in a Muslim School in West Chetti Street, Mandakarai in Tamil Nadu. The beauty of the school was an old house that was converted as a school. There were five classes and only three teachers. The three teachers were so efficient that they were able to manage the children in all the five classes and were able to provide quality education. Prof Balakrishnan?s teacher was Janab Wahab Rauther. He was very good in English and insisted that all the children must learn English and attain high proficiency in the language. Apart from English he used to conduct prayers in Urdu and simultaneously talked about Ramayana and Mahabharatha. He took personal interest in each student of the class and gave double promotion to deserving students without any hassle. He taught the students who wanted certain additional help in their lessons without any tuition fee. Also, he prepared the students to appear for the entrance test in high school. Eighty percent of the students who studied in the Muslim school were Hindus and they all lived in harmony in an integrated way. The school provided them an opportunity to live together and contribute collectively in many areas.
Dear friends, let me now take you to what type of India you will be in the year 2020.
Ambience in 2020
We expect the people below poverty line to come to near zero and our literacy must be nearly 100%. Human Development Index of India will be less than 50 against the present 127. Every Indian will have either a good university degree or quality training with globally competitive employable vocational skill. E-governance would be in position for all Government to Government (G2G) and Government to Citizens (G2C) transactions making the governance system transparent with National ID card in position. Tele-density will reach over 75%. All our villages will have reliable, uninterrupted quality electric power supply. The interlinking of the rivers and water bodies and use of technology for water collection, water recycling and water management will result in equitable distribution of water for drinking, irrigation, industry, navigation and as natural beauty. There will be no shortage of water in any part of the country nor there will be disasters due to floods, water logging etc. India would have realized energy security and will be working towards energy independence. Good sanitation facilities will be available at homes in every part of India and for all Indians and tourists. Through responsive and innovative venture capital systems and entrepreneurial training both in schools and colleges, we will have more enterprises leading to large number of employment generators rather than employment seekers. A pro-active healthcare system delivered through innovative schemes will provide quality healthcare access at an affordable cost to all the people of the country including those living in remote areas. Everyone will have an opportunity to take up and complete courses of choice in higher education. I am sure you will all see prosperity in the country, which will replace scarcity and control. This will lead to a peaceful, secure, happy and prosperous society.
Conclusion
Education is not just teaching and learning lessons. It has to be concerned about building human values along with knowledge. The examples of the teachers cited above clearly show how they have influenced the entire life of individuals and enabled them to chart their future life. I am sure the teachers of schools located in Kutch will be providing such guidance to the students of this school which the students will remember for their entire life.
Now I would like to administer the seven point Oath. Are you ready?
Seven Point Oath
1. I realize, I have to set a goal in my life. To achieve the goal, I will acquire the knowledge, I will work hard, and when the problem occurs, I have to defeat the problem and succeed.
2. As a youth of my nation, I will work and work with courage to achieve success in all my tasks and enjoy the success of others.
3. I shall always keep myself, my home, my surroundings, neighbourhood and environment clean and tidy.
4. I realize righteousness in the heart leads to beauty in the character, beauty in the character brings harmony in the home, harmony in the home leads to order in the nation and order in the nation leads to peace in the world.
5. I will lead an honest life free from all corruption and will set an example for others including my home to adopt a righteous way of life.
6. I will light the lamp of knowledge in the nation and ensure that it remains lit for ever.
7. I realize, whatever work I do if I do the best, I am contributing towards realizing the vision of developed India 2020.
Let me once again greet all the, students and teachers of Kutch schools. My best wishes to all of you for success in your mission of promoting excellence in value based education.
May God bless you.
Question and Answer Session
1.How can India become a Super power?
- Anam Priyanka Ashok Bhai (11-A), Matruchhaya Kanya Vidhyalay, Bhuj
Ans: India has both natural resources and human resources. Fortunately, we have 540 million youth who aspire for living in a prosperous, happy and safe India. The ignited minds of the youth is the most powerful resource on the earth, above the earth and under the earth. What we have to acquire is the ?I can do it? spirit. This will ensure that we become an economically developed nation with high national prosperity index.
2.What should be done to provide the knowledge revolution benefits to every village through IT?
- Dave Rachit Kishorbhai (11-B), Sheth V.D. High School, Bhuj.
Ans: I have suggested creation of village knowledge centres in each of the village or at least in the Panchayat. This village knowledge centre must provide information on all village specific activities such as agriculture, fishing, dairy, forestry, craftsmanship, education, healthcare and creation of small enterprises. Number of institutions are creating village knowledge centre as part of PURA complexes. This has to multiply to every part of the country for reaching the benefits of knowledge revolution to our rural sector.
3.What changes are required in our present education system to eradicate unemployment?
- Pandya Maitri Kamleshbhai (11-A), Sent Xaviers School, Bhuj.
Ans: Education system in the primary and middle school level has to be changed to inject creativity among the children. At the school and college level, in addition to conventional courses the education system should train the student on entrepreneurial development programme. The students while passing out should be equipped with a diploma or certificate in entrepreneurship. This will enable creation of large number of employment generators rather than employment seekers.
4.How can our nation become free from terrorism and naxalism and what role our society can play in it?
- Ramji Pavan Harshad A (12-B), Alfred High School Bhuj.
Ans: The development of the nation with value system and high prosperity index is an antidote to terrorism and naxalism. Our society has to play a role by asking the question ?what I can give to the nation?. I have given the details in my address to the nation on the eve of Republic Day 2007.
5. What will be your message for women empowerment in rural Sector?
- Jobanputra Priya M (10-G), Indira Bai Girls High School, Bhuj.
Ans: Self Help Group and Women Education. In the rural sector I have seen a number of women have already become women sarpanches. This is a very good development. The only thing is they must be allowed to undertake the rural development task without being influenced by others. Simultaneously, the women education must be given highest priority. The students of schools and colleges can teach at least two women who cannot read and write in their neighbouring villages.
6. Indians are going in space through America and other countries when shall any Indian travel in Indian rocket to go to space and moon?
- Chaudhari Piyush D (12-A), Swami Narayan High School, Bhuj
Ans: The year 2014 and before 2025. I visualize 2014; India launching a manned space mission with two astronauts into low earth orbit and recovered after planned orbits in the Bay of Bengal. It is a beautiful site to see the two Indian astronauts coming jubilantly towards the shore.
7. Is it not necessary to give equal importance to agriculture along with industrial development?
- Theba Imran Husain (9), Vahedna High School, Bhuj
Ans: Yes, we are giving equal importance to agriculture along with industrial development. The knowledge input from the knowledge society should be utilized for enhancing the productivity of agriculture and value addition to agricultural produce through agro-processing. This is what all the States are doing now.
8.How can we remove regional, rural and cosmopolition disparities from our country?
- Vaghani Suret Lal ji (12-A), R.D. Varsani High School, Bhuj?
Ans: Through PURA. The benefits of development reaching every part of the country will enable the removal of all types of disparities.
9. What are your expectations from the young children?
- Hirvani Nayna Mirji (1--A), Lena Patel Kenya Vidyalay, Bhuj?
Ans: They should have confidence about themselves. Every child when it grows should acquire the quality that ?I can do it?.
10. Where shall be India at global level in next 25 years?
- Maheshwari Ramila, Thanar (9-A), Adarsh Nivashi High School, Bhuj
Ans: India will be an economically developed nation with high national prosperity index before the year 2020. It will be a happy and safe nation.