Kingmaker
An inspiring story I read recently was about a teacher in Patna, Bihar (the poorest, most illiterate and one of the most populous states in India) who trains students to take the entrance examination to IIT, the most prestigious institution in India. So what’s new about that? There is already a well-thriving industry that coaches you to ace the test. There’s probably one in your neighborhood too. Well, this one’s different. Maths teacher Mr. Anand Kumar started the ‘Ramanujan School of Mathematics’ to help fulfill dreams that he himself never managed to realize in his life and career. He selects 30 of the most eligible students from over 5000 applicants. And eligibility depends not only on their intelligence and talent, but importantly on their family background and financial status. One place in today’s world where your monetary assets don’t boost you undeservedly. These brilliant brains come from some of the most impoverished families, who without guidance may never have achieved what they are capable of. They have truck-drivers and daily-wage workers as parents, and bunch of siblings who have never dreamed of going to school, let alone excel in academics. Here, they're given food and shelter, some superlative training and insight, and the platform to become role models for their families and community. Each year since its inception, the number of students ranking in the top of the list has been increasing, and a significant proportion come from the lower castes. To me, this is a glowing example of what needs to be done on a larger scale to bridge the caste system in our country and to give the best possible opportunities to those lacking access to them. But where do we find more motivated and selfless humans like Anand Kumar?
Reading this makes me feel trivial and insignificant. What am I doing? What am I contributing to the world, to my country, to my society? Everything was offered to me on a platter: the best clothes, the best schools and education, the best of vacations. Am I utilizing my opportunities to the maximal extent? There would be many who trade their right arm to be in my position of fortune. To some extent, I do think we all tend to become complacent with our work, with our goals. Someone said: 'Always be satisfied with what you have, never with what you are'. I try never to forget that.
posted by Ravi Ramaswamy at 11:28 AM
3 Comments:
Nice post and a nice story as well. India will never improve if the rural masses don't become educated, and the politicians have a vested interest to make sure that doesn't happen, so they can keep buying their votes with a few hundred rupees or some booze.
I've learnt to never compare myself with those less fortunate. Nothing will come from having self-guilt. Whether you believe in karma or whatever else, you are where you are and other people for whatever reason are where they are.
As I described in my own blog in the post regarding charity, what's important is what you do now given the position that you are in. No one expects you to be like Mahatma Gandhi whose life we celebrate tomorrow. Any way in which you can help society is great.
In my opinion, you don't need to devote your life to serving the underprivileged in some village. If you do, great. But at the very least, be socially and environmentally aware in everything you do.
Know about the companies you buy from (ex. Nike has been in a lot more controversy regarding forced labor than a company such as Adidas). Know where your products are manufactured, how they are manufactured, and use your education to make important decisions in everyday life.
You have the privilege of being educated and have mass spending power than can either construct or destroy quality of life in developing countries. A good place to begin investing in the life of the underprivileged would be the next time you make a trip to the shopping mall.
Thanks, Vivek, for your excellent perspective. We don't HAVE to go all out to help the less fortunate, but I think its good to learn about and appreciate what we have and are capable of, and as you said, take the right decisions in our everyday life. In any case, there are only handful amongst us who would be gifted enough to make a significant contribution involving many other lives. Mahatma Gandhi was Mahatma Gandhi because he responded to the circumstances in a righteous way and did what he believed in. What we can learn from that is to live by our principles and learn to use them righteously when confronted with situations that demand our discretion.
well are you going to pick up the tag or not?
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