Education vs. Intelligence

Strange how within a span of three days, I had this discussion with three different people - and all had the same thing to say. Not rocket science, you say? You are right! And yet, the way marks and performance are discussed, the way mothers give up stuff before boards for kids, the way mothers start visiting temples during exams - one would think there was a connection!

I am not saying high scorers are duds. Let's accept they are intelligent. But those who score lower, are they duds?

Now, having had a bindaas attitude through school and college - crying on the morning of getting the report card in the ninth in Cal is ruled out because that was the first time I encountered serious education, and in subsequent years, went back to being bindaas - I am quite amused and confused about the way education is increasingly becoming a pressure point. 100% cut off! For a humanities student, it is a far fetched dream. But even if one can score in commerce...is that what we want - only the top, the rest go drown? Already IIT coaching starts from 9th. Next what? From UKG?

We need utopia in more ways than one!

Let Children Enjoy; Framework for Children; Bringing Up

Meeravin Mudal Prayatnam: Narumanam - Kavithai

Meeravin Mudal Prayatnam: Narumanam - Kavithai: " காட்டின் ஒரு மூலையில் பெரிய மரங்களுக்கு நடுவில் ஒரு சிறிய பூச்செடி அதற்க்கு பூமியே தாய் வானமே தந்தை காட்டு ஜீவராசியே நண்பர்கள் அதில் ஒரு ..."

Awaiting Rains

Dry, barren
Sucked up fully
The earth looked up
Hopefully at the sky

Passing clouds
With nothing much now
Light and fluffy
White and hazy

They drifted leisurely
With no cares
Fleeting through
The skies carelessly

They gathered slowly
In great masses, steadily
Expectant and oppressive
The air became charged

The earth went still
Waiting for the lash
The thunder and the light
To change its plight

Mother of all storms
With much light and noise
Filling up its wellsprings
Giving life, rejuvenating it

All life waited
For the rain to abate
And then slowly drank in
From the waters aplenty

Green trees, lush and beautiful
Buds blooming into bright flowers
The ground wet and fertile
The birds singing a thousand songs

Human eyes look up to thank
The merciful skies for their bounty
And hope to see their fortunes change
To one of comfort and aplenty

Back to My Fav Topic

A chance interview with a neighbour - on what constituted entertainment. And I became nostalgic. Friends, relatives, leisure, games, sports.

There were the gossips, and the dignified ones; there were those who mingled, and those who didn't; there were those who were active, and those poking their nose where it didn't belong.

But there was a community, a sense of belonging, and the time to interact. There were no cars, commuting took longer, and houses were smaller, barely furnished.

Today, we have many a times more than one car. Our house is beautifully decorated, and rooms assigned for each purpose. But, when guests come, only so many can be accommodated. And only for so long. They are in a rush, we are in a rush. Do we pack more? Is it necessary? Where does it take us? To loneliness and longing for company? And to bitterness that we don't have anyone to share our life with, our joys and sorrows with?

We are modern, yes. But at what cost?

More on this: Giving Time; The Super Eye; Shrinking World;  Leisurely Journey

Meeravin Mudal Prayatnam: An Attempt - Oru Muyarchi

Meeravin Mudal Prayatnam: An Attempt - Oru Muyarchi: "தமிழில் எழுதிப்பாரேன் என்று என்னை ஒருவர் கேட்டார். இன்னொருவர் நான் தமிழில் எழுதப்போகிரெநா என்று கேட்டார். ஏன் எழுதிபார்க்கக்கூடாது என்று த..."

Parenting Debate

Will this ever end? Especially when there are three generations under the same roof!

You need to be strict, the grandparents agree, and then undo the strictness by indulging.

Our system of mugging tables was best, says grandfather, unable to relate to the Montessori system. What system is this that doesn't help child keep numbers at finger tips? How can they complain about the child that she doesn't know? - he asks incensed. Try telling him that they are not complaining about her lack of knowledge but lack of application.

Are they eating well, they ask with concern about the children. And then promptly buy all the junk food they love.

Go go, get ready/go to bed, they send the children, and then sit back listening to their tall tales.

They may be at variance on some points, but who cannot help smiling when the child runs to the grandparent to share the tales, enjoy the stories they tell and bite into the goodies they bring? There is much more noise at any point of the day, there is much more life.

Benign Parenting

Great Expectations

He: To wake up to a gentle breeze; a Carnatic music CD playing melodiously in the background; wife up and about; towel wrapped around her hair, cooking busily while chanting a sloka; a sweet smile on seeing him, a nod to his good morning, and a steaming cup of coffee or tea ready in hand; the aroma of something delicious wafting from the kitchen.

She: To sleep undisturbed; to wake up lazily; to go about making breakfast leisurely - better still, to have him make it; a nice Hindi film song on lips; children wake up on their own, smiling; he wakes up even later and eats whatever is given - unless he makes what he wants; and does not complain that all the aroma he gets is from the neighbour's kitchen.

The great Indian dream. Sigh!