KNOWLEDGE IS POWER

                                                                                   KNOWLEDGE IS POWER 

                                                                                    ARVIND K. PANDEY

It's time to reckon with the hidden facets of education. I am appalled at the manner in which institutions offering so-called gems of knowledge, which in reality are antithetical to creative tendencies lying latent within the recipients, have solidified their base. One reason for it could be that parents are now no more interested in 'value-oriented teaching methods, simply because it stands in the way of attaining 'name and fame’. No wonder this could be the reason behind the mind-boggling network of coaching factories, which are making huge profit in the name of offering conductive atmosphere for cracking the entrance tests. This attitude of the parents has brought a sea change in the attitude of present day students who weigh everything in materialist yardsticks or, in other words, in rupee: dollar ratio. After all, who has time for values in the fast-paced life of ours? The real quest for supreme knowledge will always remain a distant dream in absence of change of mindset, especially the parents. I think it's never too easy to change mindset without measures mired in transparent means. What has guaranteed failure of projects in this regard has been wide gap between theory and practice besides infrastructural bottlenecks. Let us realize that mere propaganda is not going to solve this issue. Unfortunately, this is what both Left and Right wings are used to .Their stances, diametrically opposite to each other, have wiped out the vigour of those wishing to make worthwhile contributions, so much so that if one does not yield to their outdated notions one is bound to invite troubles of all sorts. The message is clear: Rise above ideological fanaticism to stop the degradation of education system, something so imperative to prevent the innocent minds turning into clones of robot. Vivekananda rightly remarked that,” Education is not the amount of information that is put into your brain and run riot there, undigested, all your life. We must have life-building, man-making, character making assimilation of ideas.” Will anyone please translate this into reality?