On some days a thought coming from an unexpected source can just strike you gently and leave you with a raised eyebrow and a smile. Today, while returning home from college, I was waiting inside an auto when I happened to become the silent observer of a rather interesting conversation between the auto-wallas.
One of them was trying to get some money out of the person driving the auto I was in, however, he replied saying that he had none to dish out as he had just paid his daughter's school fees. Another auto-walla soon joined the conversation and asked him if his daughter was in an English medium school. When the man replied in the negative, the latter told him that he should put his children in English medium schools if they are to make something of themselves. His spoke with great conviction when he said that it filled him with pride to hear his child speak in English when he himself could not.
Now I found the thought extremely heartening, not because I feel that fluency in English alone is enough for success... Frankly, I know plenty of people who speak incorrect English with much fluency and confidence and get away with murder (figuratively speaking, of course). And neither do I believe that those who study in institutions where English is not the teaching medium are any less capable than English-speakers. However, I'd rather like to think of it as a parent wanting to ensure that the next generation receives the benefit of a good education and all the advantages that it can provide even if the previous one hadn't. And it is a very encouraging sign that people who haven't had certain opportunities in life want their children, and this includes their daughters, to be educated so that they have a better life.
One of the gravest problems apart from poverty that plagues the country is ignorance. And this very ignorance leads to so much more poverty and exploitation. I would have to continue considerably if I were to talk about how these are inter-related. The saddest part is that so many are resistant to any changes that would look towards ameliorating this. Now if there are indeed people who are willing to take steps that would, in whatever small way, lead to the light, then it is to be taken as a beacon of hope. And yes, I'd like to hope that there are more people out there who are willing to take positive and progressive steps towards betterment and those who see their sons and daughters in the same light, something that is still lacking even amongst the educated.
One of them was trying to get some money out of the person driving the auto I was in, however, he replied saying that he had none to dish out as he had just paid his daughter's school fees. Another auto-walla soon joined the conversation and asked him if his daughter was in an English medium school. When the man replied in the negative, the latter told him that he should put his children in English medium schools if they are to make something of themselves. His spoke with great conviction when he said that it filled him with pride to hear his child speak in English when he himself could not.
Now I found the thought extremely heartening, not because I feel that fluency in English alone is enough for success... Frankly, I know plenty of people who speak incorrect English with much fluency and confidence and get away with murder (figuratively speaking, of course). And neither do I believe that those who study in institutions where English is not the teaching medium are any less capable than English-speakers. However, I'd rather like to think of it as a parent wanting to ensure that the next generation receives the benefit of a good education and all the advantages that it can provide even if the previous one hadn't. And it is a very encouraging sign that people who haven't had certain opportunities in life want their children, and this includes their daughters, to be educated so that they have a better life.
One of the gravest problems apart from poverty that plagues the country is ignorance. And this very ignorance leads to so much more poverty and exploitation. I would have to continue considerably if I were to talk about how these are inter-related. The saddest part is that so many are resistant to any changes that would look towards ameliorating this. Now if there are indeed people who are willing to take steps that would, in whatever small way, lead to the light, then it is to be taken as a beacon of hope. And yes, I'd like to hope that there are more people out there who are willing to take positive and progressive steps towards betterment and those who see their sons and daughters in the same light, something that is still lacking even amongst the educated.
2 comments:
Very educative. But makes me sad, because we cant hold our heads high and say im successful even though,i can only read and write urdu. Hmph!
Made me think. Good post =)
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