Competitiveness, so rampant today, is not an inherent Indian value. We haven't historically been a nation too big on sports or other competitions. Our insistence had mostly been on excellence - one that emerges from the union of body, mind and spirit. This is the land that invented chess, Ayurveda and Yoga. This is the land that produced the finest poets, architects and mathematicians. Even in the context of Mahabharata, the largest war in our mythology, Krishna preached Arjuna to give his best effort without focusing on the outcome (or the victory).
But somewhere in history, after several conquests and wars, the focus on excellence was lost. The Mughals and the British, being our conquerers and rulers, imported and imposed their ideals on the Indian society. And the new ideals were triumph and victory over peers.
This eventually resulted in a society engaged in a blind rat race, deprived of its true identity. This is evident from the enormous level of competitiveness in today's schools and entrance exams that is not really contributing to the welfare or progress of the society.
Could we build an education system that would help students identify their true interests and potentials, and train them to pursue excellence in the domain of their passion; a system that could provide attractive opportunities to artists as well as sportsmen, as much as it would to doctors and statisticians? Such a system will force the people to stop evaluating themselves against others and will bring out the best talents in the society. How would we implement such a system? Will including yoga and meditation in the curriculum help? Will the inclusion of non-religious spirituality be helpful (or even possible in this country)? A few tough questions need to be answered before we can dream of building a system that nourishes and rewards pure excellence.
Inspiration:
3 Idiots
Ancient Indian Gurukul Tradition
But somewhere in history, after several conquests and wars, the focus on excellence was lost. The Mughals and the British, being our conquerers and rulers, imported and imposed their ideals on the Indian society. And the new ideals were triumph and victory over peers.
This eventually resulted in a society engaged in a blind rat race, deprived of its true identity. This is evident from the enormous level of competitiveness in today's schools and entrance exams that is not really contributing to the welfare or progress of the society.
Could we build an education system that would help students identify their true interests and potentials, and train them to pursue excellence in the domain of their passion; a system that could provide attractive opportunities to artists as well as sportsmen, as much as it would to doctors and statisticians? Such a system will force the people to stop evaluating themselves against others and will bring out the best talents in the society. How would we implement such a system? Will including yoga and meditation in the curriculum help? Will the inclusion of non-religious spirituality be helpful (or even possible in this country)? A few tough questions need to be answered before we can dream of building a system that nourishes and rewards pure excellence.
Inspiration:
3 Idiots
Ancient Indian Gurukul Tradition
3 comments:
I think we are far from reaching this transformation of Competitiveness to Excellence
the influence on the students is more from the society. In the early days there were no deviations for students like movies, internet etc and hence the only thing they would do is study or carry forward their family's preaching. But now a days, students are not interested to study and so are the teachers. The students take inspiration from movies and other sources and err. Its a vicious circle.These days its difficult for students to concentrate on yoga or meditation. It can be only possible, if the student has self awakening.
@fundoos and RAN IN JAN : Thanks for dropping by. I agree the transformation is difficult. But a realization of the situation is the first step towards the change. Next comes an analysis of possible methods and tools to bring the change. Only then can we have enough matter to lay the foundation to a new system. This is what I dream to ultimately attempt through this blog. It's my tiny effort that I hope would make a little sense someday.
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