Happy Children's Day
So, it is yet another 14th of November and
everybody is poised to celebrate yet another Children’s Day. The significance
of Pandit Nehru’s love for children came into being when this special day
started off in 1964. Schools all over the country ready themselves for this
special occasion. Students, in addition to enjoying a day off from academics,
prepare themselves for some special treats from their teachers. Specifically,
that’s was ‘Children’s Day’ for me, back in the day. Other than the chocolate
wafers, bars, cold-drinks and potato wafers that were offered to us during the
occasion, the other thing which I enjoyed was when all the respected teachers
would together sing the morning prayers during the morning assembly. And of
course, the various activities performed by them, especially the songs, dances
and the one-act plays. Wow!!This is how nostalgia attacks me.
But let me ask you a simple question: Are the children of
India really happy? Is happiness just being a façade to them? Are they really
meant to be happy?
The other day, as I was chatting with a kid from the school,
where I have practically spent more than half of my lifetime, I coincidentally
mentioned to him about ‘Children’s Day’. He laughed it off saying that it was just
once in a year and that it was the only day during the whole year, when he
enjoyed being at school. The reason was probably because he wasn't able to enjoy his own childhood. He also
mentioned that he only loved playing football and was enthusiastic about it, not
studies. That clicked me as I too loved the game very much, both as a player
and as a spectator. But unlike him, my alignment was more towards studying. Sad
enough.
What I have mentioned is just a glimpse of what the actual
situation in our country is. Just like that small kid, there are tons of
thousands of children in India, who are buoyed by the harsh and sad reality of
the system that is prevailing. Children of today are actually missing their lovely childhood. The childhood where they are supposed to enjoy outdoor activities and not surround themselves with just books. They aren't even allowed to pursue their own dreams. Various TV programs and shows including
motivational messages in cinemas have continuously cited the same thought over
and over again: Let your children follow his/her own dreams. And yet, many
parents are still cracking the whip to assert their own principles and
judgments, branding ‘studies’ as the primary and ultimate goal for their
children. One cannot simply force their children to study just for the sake of
a secured future, in the name of a paltry job. A consolation job can’t bring
you any happiness if your dream was somewhere else. I mean, how many children
can you find from around you who are solely vying to become a successful
cricketer, footballer, dancer, singer, musician or supposedly, an experienced
cook or a chef? The greediness to produce only doctors and engineers is deeply
hurting the country with so many bright talents being wasted as a result. And
if India is really in course of being a developed country, parents must give
their children ‘the freedom to choose’. Let there be more Dhonis, Bhutias,
Mangeshkars, Sanjeev Kapoors and Remo D’Souzas or else these species will
become gravely endangered. Basic education should be necessary for all, but the
freedom to foresee a dream must be solely given to the children.
So, once again, a very Happy Children’s Day to all of you.
Don’t let the child inside you fade away. Keep dreaming.
Comments
Post a Comment