Our Quest Magazine Issue 2

VOLUME 1 | ISSUE 2

“Save The Quest” & “Our Quest” Core TeamSaif Ahmad Khan Martand Jha Arushi Srivastava Chairman Editor-In-Chief Editor Kshitij Sharma Aritro Saha Akshay Kumar SinghTrustee, Guest Writer Creative Design & Online Media Head, Layout Head Chief Advisor(Our Quest) Angela Sharma Veer Berry Neyaz Khalid NoorPublic Relations Head Public Relations Head TreasurerContent Writers Vinayana Khurana, Sanchya Aggarwal, Kanupriya Kothiwal, Siddhi Suman, Shivam Aggarwal, Japesh Maini, Anuj Kumar, Suchitra Singh, Aparna Subramanian, Rashi AnchaliaFront Cover: Aritro SahaBack Cover: Akshay Kumar Singh

CONTENTS Chairman’s Note 1 | Cover Story Co m p r e h e n s i v e Indian Education System: A Complex Phenomenon and holistic edu- cation can revolu- 3 | In Depth tionize our life. There should be autonomy and What Do IITs Stand For? freedom to choose one's realm. A realm of one’s interest and aptitude will always 5 | Focus give a novel product. I say, this world needs a revolution. A change which will FYUP: Beginning of a Change? not only banish all pain and conflict, also would secure the future of earth. The ed- 6 | My Opinion ucation sector needs a check on its ap- proach and modalities. The education has Fear: Root it Out or let it Grow!!! the power to change the world towards a prosperous and gratifying life for the mul- 7 | Just Saying titude. Today, the meaning of education is degrading due to its inclination toward Disabled Students or Education System? conventional outlook, which fetters and circumscribe it to manipulated syllabus 8 | Letter of the Month and passing exams on border lines . The syllabus is imposed upon us whichA letter to the Sectretary-Ministry Of HRD regarding Skills Gap in India doesn’t taste to our quest always.The glimpse of capitalist interest are quite ob- 9 | Through Their Eyes vious in the syllabus. They are trying to manipulate us and our quest according to A Request their interest. Some time I wonder why Crisis Of Education in India should others decide what should I study and what not. Why don't I have the auton- 11 | Revolution Through Education omy to follow the field of my quest? There should be love of labor that is in In My Life following a realm of one’s quest. Arms and armaments are not enough to elimi- 12 | My View nate terrorism and our suffering, what I believe is, that with the help of rational Disabled Cinema? and moral teachings; we can banish our suffering from its roots. We have rules 13 | Event Report and laws since thousands of years but did the crime and corruption end? No, the STQ at NAB Diwali Mela laws can only put a check on crime but STQ sets afloat The Quest Band cannot banish it. So this world need an ideological revolution that is about bring- 15 | Monthly Special ing freedom to education and promoting holistic and humanistic teachings. We are She Reads?- An Article on Women Education in India able to produce magnificent employees but not good human beings. Do we have 16,19 | Special a syllabus which nurtures a soul? This can be endeavored by checking on our modal- Social issues on Education ities with the help of efficient and intel- When the Gap cannot be Bridged lectual resources. Let’s gift our successors a prosperous history and a bright future. 17 | Poem Section Stoned Cold Gaze, They Too... , Child’s Cry 20 | Cartoon

COVERSTORYIndiaEn DUACComAplTex PIhOenomNenoSnystem By: Martand JhaWe Indians always boast for 18 centuries till 12th century way as scientific progress was about the great educa- AD when Nalanda and Taxilla thought of as a challenge to religion tion structure that has were destroyed by the invaders, and god, which the ruling class andprevailed in our country throughout who were themselves uncivilized Brahmins who ranked uppermostits history, a system which gave and barbaric in nature.India an upper hand in the field of “The backwardness ofknowledge over the rest of the Ancient universities of India were our society fragmentedworld for centuries which attracted not only an educational institution our society into piecesstudents and intellectuals from but were the promoters of Indian and unity was lost be-across the globe to flock to our heritage and culture. tween people of Indianland. The destruction of these Subcontinent. This educational institutions made European powersToday, there are no more Taxilla's also destroyed the rich- confident to rule ourand Nalanda's to epitomize the ness of our society and world, the third worldsolid culture of our society which shook the foundation of our according to them wewe can be proud of. In the era by- legacy to its core after which 'Dark were third class citizensgone, the universities delivered Age' came in India and engulfed of the world who werehighest standard of education to the whole of today's Indian Subconti- uncivilized and theystudents across all disciplines. The nent. felt its their responsi-education system then was a mirror bility to civilize us byimage of our society which was The dark age brought only wars ruling us.”more developed than any other ex- and destruction which made wholeisting civilization. of the Indian society ill. The think- in caste order hated the most. ing process of Indian mind wasWe had some of the greatest philos- paralyzed. The nation started miss- Scientific thinking was discour-phers, economists, scientists and ing economists like Chanakya, aged and emphasis was given pri- mathematicians like Aryabhatta, marily on spiritual thinking and mathematicians scientists like Kanad, laureates like arts. Medieval age had social re- who contributed im- Kalidas who could make our soci- formers like KABIR and RAHIM mensely in laying ety move forward in a progressive but till then our society had deeply direction. Our society couldn't gone down in terms of thinking ra- the founding prin- move forward with respect to time tionally to everyday affairs. ciples of their making it move backward. There was very little air of free subjects which thinking and free thinkers felt suf- was used by foreign Education of Science was nearly focated in that environment. intellectuals in extinct for nearly half a millennium their work. This which made our society orthodox This left India behind the western and mindset feudal, might is right world by incomparable margins. education sys- became the rule of the game. But tem became a still, some people were imparting phenomenon scientific knowledge in a hideous and continued to add to the body of existing knowledge1 |Our Quest|Jan-Feb 2014

COVERSTORYThe time when our society was lost first class citizens of the world and We are unable to produce even ain darkness, the whole of Europe everything they did was right. A single Nobel laureate in Independ-was breathing fresh air as the pe- student in India was made to learn ent India, the last man who re-riod of Renaissance was going on and believe that Indians had no ca- ceived it was C V RAMAN whothere. The period brought deep pability to understand science till won it under British India. But onchanges in the western society in Britishers came and that Indian the other hand, many persons likeevery area and brought that society Culture and History had nothing Amartya Sen, Hargobind Khurana,into a modern age. Galileo, New- when compared to roman or greek S Chandrashekhar etc who are ofton, Leonardo Da Vinci, Gutenberg history. Indian origin have won the Nobeletc were the harbingers of change Prize. All these persons had theirwhose works are still rated as the All this made graduate education in Indian uni-all time hits and these persons as all Indians imi- versities but after that they wenttime greats. tate their abroad to persue higher education colonial mas- because they were unsatisfied withThe backwardness of our society ters in terms the condition of higher educationfragmented it into pieces and unity of their think- here.was lost between people of Indian ing, lifestyle andSubcontinent. This made European attitudepowers confident to rule our world, whichthe third world according to them stillwe were third world according tothem we were third class citizens of con- Aryabhatta: So, its high time nowthe world who were uncivilized tinues till The great Indian that Indian govern-and they felt its their responsibility Mathematician ment should imple-to civilize us by ruling us. ment the policies toWHAT A SHAME!!! A society date. Even today, an english make world class universities withwhich once used to be the most ad-vanced civilization among all was speaking person is considered as all facilities, where highest stan-now degraded and its pride layed inshambles primarily because Indi- more efficient than those who dard of education should be im-ans had lost their knowledge whichcame through its world class uni- speak their native languages parted. Research should beversities were intellectuals like FaHien and Huen Tsang used to which means we are still not free encouraged in all the fields to en-study. Its truly said that a societywhich loses its knowledge, loses from the colonial mindset which rich the theory education as thiseverything. This was true in ourcase as we became slaves of for- exists even after 65 years of our would only make India regain itseigners for more than 150 years. Independence. lost glory which used to come from the great ed- ucation institutions that we sadly have lost.Indian Education System was then Nalanda in ruinscompleted reformed by MaCaulay,an Englishman, who westernisedour education thereby transformingour thought process. It made Indianyouth believe that Britishers were2 |Our Quest|Jan-Feb 2014

InDepth What doIITs stand for? Technical Education in IndiaIndian Institutes of Technology, By: Aritro Saha they themselves are disqualified popularly known as the IITs, from a getting a seat. are the words that come to our the counseling gurus in India. Al- most every non-medical student is burdened with an expectation frommind whenever someone thinks of their parents, relatives and peers of In this case, the party in profit arepursuing technical education in clearing these high profile entrance the coaching institutes, which ulti-India, reason being the overall im- examinations. In the process the mately fail in fulfilling their prom-pact of these institutions on the parents convince their children to ises of making the students get thethought processes of Indian stu- compete and clear these top colleges like IITs. They in be-dents thinking of pursuing Engi- exams. This basically tween get to cash in a huge amountneering as a career. Question is: leads the students to of money from each student’s par-Why such importance given to join the coaching in- ents, who want their ward to be asome mere institutions which pro- stitutes being run all successful engineer in the future. Invide engineering and technical de- over the country the process, these tuition institutesgrees? Why every boasting about get to make a lot of money whichengineering aspirant’s their let them expand their businessesdream is IIT? Why cre- across new branches at differentonly IITs, DTUs, den- places. Students with a confusedNSITs & BITs are state of mind, also think ofpreferred over joining these coaching insti-other en- tutes and giving it a try.gineer- When they fail in meetinging their goals, they feel dejectedcolleges and that makes them take ex-in the coun- treme steps.try? What is such a fuss all about? tials of number of students selectedThere is a reason behind it… These and qualified for various top col- But honestly asking, is all this stuffinstitutions have proven them- leges in the country. Goal oriented required? Do peopleselves in the different fields of en- students with a perfect mindset are need to takegineering, and continuing to do so. mostly helped by these initiatives. e x t r aTheir way of imparting education But the majority of students being c o a c h i n gand the overall practicality of their average get the least out of it. They classes toteachings are justified. That’s why moreover get pressurized and sup- make it tostudents, who are aspiring to be en- pressed under the expectations of the topgineers have a dream named IIT. their parents, teachers, relatives and c o l - many more. They crumble under l e g e s ?Things change, when we think of parental pressure, societal pressure Most peoplecolleges other than these few ac- and much of peer pressure. Seeing say they do,counted to be the best engineering other students get through the ex- but some saycolleges in India. They are consid- aminations and getting into the top that if a stu-ered to be of no match according to college makes them feel bad when dent is3 |Our Quest|Jan-Feb 2014

InDepthdetermined and willing to take an the top of world college rankings?initiative, then he/she can definitely The answer is a big NO! There isget through the examinations and not even a single Indian institute income out with flying colours. Stats the top 100 Universities in theshow the same thing: About 50% of world. According to a ranking re-students getting admission to IITs cently released in 2013 by thehaven’t gone through any kind of Times higher education, there is only one Indian Univer- sity in the top 250. And“There is not even a single that also not being an IIT, Source: xpandbiz.inIndian institute in the top but Punjab University. the 150-year-old US institution is100 Universities in the The Indian Institutes of the world number one when itworld. According to a technologies do appear in comes to engineering and technol- the world rankings, but in ogy.ranking recently released the slot of rankings be- So coming to a conclusion, the topin 2013 by the Times higher tween 351-400. None of technical colleges in India can brag about themselves in their owneducation, there is only one the top Indian institutes country with some tough entranceIndian University in the are proved capable of examinations and ways of teachingtop 250. And that also not competing with the top but globally they do lag behindbeing an IIT, but Punjab institutes in the world like where a lot more emphasis is given the MIT. The Massachu- on practical knowledge and re-University. The Indian In- setts Institute of Technol- search , which sadly lacks in our INDIA.stitutes of technologies do ogy, being the top in (Facts & numbers are collectedappear in the world rank- world rankings, can boast and presented from internetings, but in the slot of that it has helped to bring sources.rankings between 351-400. into the world : the fax Images taken from internet.None of the top Indian in- machine; the transistor Cartoon by: Aritro Saha) radio; Bose speakers; thestitutes are proved capable global positioning sys-of competing with the top tem; the spreadsheet; Technicolor; air condi-institutes in the world likethe MIT.” tioning; Hewlett- Packard; the microchip; open courseware; and (ofcoaching. Anyways IITs being the course) the World Widepioneer technical institutes in India Web. Soought to get an attention like this. it isThey stand tall along with few oth- littleers to show the rest of Indian engi- s u r -neering colleges that yes, they are p r i s ethe best, and they are proud of it. to learn thatWhen coming to the global front,do these IITs represent India ontop? Are they able to compete withthe the universities across theworld? Do they even make it to the4 |Our Quest|Jan-Feb 2014

FocusFYUP : Beginning of a change…?! By: Sanchya Aggarwal“Live as if you were to die tomorrow;Learn as if you were to live forever…” - M.K. GandhiThe University of Delhi intro- addressed. More employability and Not only students, but the teachers duced the Four Year Under- flexibility were the central claims are equally annoyed by this new graduate Programme for the of the Vice-Chancellor. It was con- system. They are now required tostudents seeking admission in the sidered to be a HISTORIC deci- spend more time on evaluation andDU. An additional year for gradua- sion! no time is left for teaching. Sometion raised many eyebrows. But But a semester later, students are feel that the essence of teaching-students were given an option to full of wrath against the FYUP. learning process is hampered. Itexit after three years with a Bache- Students feel that they were bur- seems that FYUP has only added tolor’s Degree and a Bachelor’s with dened with a lot of work especially the work load of both teachers asHonors Degree after four years. An with making project files, presen- well as students and no real devel-option to exit after two years with tations, group discussions and class opment and growth is taking place.a Diploma degree was also offered. tests of the foundation course, leav- Despite all the criticism that theThe flexibility gave students a ing little time for them to concen- FYUP has received, there’s a smallchoice, which was welcomed by trate on the main subjects. Many but prominent number of studentsthose who supported the traditional complain that decorating files and and teachers who have welcomedformat. A significant innovation of this move by DU. Students feel thatthis multiple-exit scheme was the Why FYUP? group discussions and presenta-opportunity for those exiting early tions have made them more confi-with Diploma or Bachelor degree Do we really dent. It’s something that will helpto return back to carry on for higher them in the long term. They now dodegree, if they so desire and have need it? not shy away from presenting theirthe requisite qualifications. viewpoint and can think moreUnder the FYUP, the students will writing projects is a sheer wastage clearly. A lot of students havebe taught 4 foundation courses of time. And 55 marks for internals gained self-esteem which they feelalong with two main courses each and only 20 marks for the written will help them during interviewssemester for the first two years. It exam are absurd. Some colleges for placements. Many agree thatwas believed that the foundation made it compulsory to attend all the syllabus of the foundationcourses would strengthen the edu- the foundation course classes to be course, no matter how simple itcational base of the students in re- able to sit for the exams adding fuel seems will help them during thelation to the grand challenges faced to fire. Special books were recom- competitive exams.by India. The curriculum would en- mended for the theory paper. How- Teachers too feel that an overallcourage appreciation and learning ever students were shocked after knowledge about subjects is impor-of academic tools that explored the exam. The types of questions tant for every individual. The infor-some of these problems and point asked in the exam were very basic mation that students gain fromtowards some solutions. Through and did not require any special these foundation courses cannot belectures, group projects and class knowledge. The questions didn’t ignored.Well FYUP does seem topresentations, it was expected that seem to be of university level. have its share of benefits. Whetherstudents will acquire both knowl- it would be a hit or a miss it will al-edge and ability in the areas being ways remains debatable!5 |Our Quest|Jan-Feb 2014

MyOpinionFEAR!!!- ROOT IT OUT OR LET IT GROW!!! By: Kanupriya Kothiwal“All we have to fear is the fear itself”- RooseveltThe joy of living lies in over- coming one’s fears and ac- a soft bed of roses but complishing to become one can definitely tan- talize the soft fragrancebetter human beings. Fear eats up a by turning the direst oflarger frame of one’s mind that is the circumstances toassociated with brilliance and wis- one’s own stride. Alldom. Fear is evil, Fear is pain. the history books reveal the fact that nature hasAs we delve deeper into the history bestowed a full 1200of achievements, we realize that gram grey matter onthere has not been a single individ- human beings so thatual who made to success through a he/she can work onslight ounce of fear in the mind. self-growth and take being.The list is endless- Kalpana humanity to a higher level. Kalpana Chawla stated “The pathChawla, Martin Luther King Jr., When we talk of fear, the biggest from dreams to reality does exist.Neil Armstrong, Mother Teresa, Al- hurdle that hits the mind is the May you have the courage to findbert Einstein. force of circumstances. We human it, the perseverance to follow it beings tend to think that circum- and the strength to live it”. True!Those who are self-driven and stances obstruct our way towards We are the sole masters of ourself-willed have the greater capac- self-growth and success. But the destinies.ity to march ahead towards their hard truth lies in the fact that wegoals. One cannot expect life to be ACTUALLY let them do it!! The I do hope with the sound critical longer we treat circumstances as and analytical thinking we are the driving force, the longer we condition our brains in such a way procrastinate our march to growth that we find strength in challeng- and ultimately we realize that we ing the circumstances by saying the killers of our own destiny. “Do your worst! For I shall give When we talk of fear, the biggest the best of mine! strength that hits the mind is PER- Since we are the controllers of our SEVERANCE. Perseverance is the fates, the choice is ours- Whether quality that impels men to move we wish to root out all the com- mountains. Perseverance is the plexes and fears from our mind or quality that serves as the catalyst in continue to live with it. Take it for achieving excellence and mostly the food and importantly, perseverance is for the quality that even helps us in thought battling the circumstances and and grow in more assertive, confident THINK!6 |Our Quest|Jan-Feb 2014

JustSayingDisabledStudentsEodr uDicsaabtleidon System?The facet of our education Source: photographersdirect.com By: Arushi Srivastava “The reason of failure to pro- system is often a matter of vide quality education to the concern and raises many Right To Education Act. The RTE disabled people lies in thequestions if we consider the provi- Act doesn’t stress upon the techni- loose structure of Indian Dis-sions for educating the disabled. cal improvements for providing ed- ability Act, 1995 and Right ToStudents with disabilities don’t ucation to the disabled. We can Education Act. The RTE Acthave any lesser challenges to face easily diagnose disability in a per- doesn’t stress upon the tech-when they aim to be well-educated son’s body but what about the dis- nical improvements for provid-in our society. Though education ability that is rooted in our ing education to the disabled.has attained the rank of a funda- educational framework? We can easily diagnose dis-mental right in India yet it fails to ability in a person’s body butaddress the notion to educate every In India a disabled child is often what about the disability thatdisabled. shunned from public and private is rooted in our educational schools by being called a ‘special framework?”The RTE Act provides free educa- child’. Teachers advise parents totion to every child in the age group send their pupils in ‘special people are disabled. In India the sit-of 6-14 and makes provisions for schools’ which exist in rarity. A uation is worse where a large chunk25% reservation of ‘disadvantaged child wants to learn and write like of population lies below thesections’ of children in private and his counterparts but he fails be- poverty line. Therefore most dis-public schools. Clearly this provi- cause there are no special schools abled children aren’t able to get ed-sion distinguishes the ‘disabled’ in the neighbourhood where his ucation beyond primary schoolfrom ‘disadvantaged sections’ and parents can send him. Even with which leads to their further socialdoes not include all categories of equal right to education, a special alienation and poverty. Further thedifferently-abled children. child could not study because there lack of ramps, technical necessities are a very few special schools to educate the disabled, specialThe reason of failure to provide catering to his needs. teachers are required to facilitatequality education to the disabled disabled friendly education in Indiapeople lies in the loose structure of The worst hit aspiring scholars are which are not very often seen inIndian Disability Act, 1995 and those who are living in rural areas. most public and private institu- They don’t even have good schools tions.7 |Our Quest|Jan-Feb 2014 and teachers to understand their The crux of the problem lies in our problems and bring them into the education system. If the govern- mainstream like their counterparts. ment and society is more conscious Till now our society has only prac- towards the problems of differently ticed separating the disabled from abled then only we can hope for the normal people which leads to disabled friendly education. More unpleasant situations often. Open inclusive education, societal en- interaction and flow of ideas couragement and disabled-friendly between the normal and disabled attitude are some of the basic solu- people will never be possible until tions to eradicate the disability pre- the disabled are stop being shunned vailing in our education system. from normal schools. According to a recent World Bank Report, 20% of the world’s poorest

LetterOf TheMonthT he following article is a letter to the Secretary, Ministry of HRD on solutions to resolve the Skills Gap in India (keeping in mind that the labor laws are unlikely to change) - Kshitij SharmaTo,N.K. SinhaAdditional Secretary,Technology Enabled Learning & ScholarshipMinistry of HRD, Government of IndiaDate – 12/30/2013RE: Resolving the Skills Gap in IndiaDear Shri Sinha,I hope this letter finds you well.I write this letter to offer some suggestions and solutions with regards to the steps that, if undertaken by the Ministry of HRD , wouldgo a long way in sustaining high employability of our otherwise educated youth. I would deem that your scholarly self would findsense in pursuing them (as your address here emphasizes that India can’t wait and needs “high quality technical education”).I feel that a lot of problems in resolving the skill gap stem from systemic gaps and slow economic liberalization down to the microlevel, but those being the mammoth tasks, I would like to limit the below solution set to the existing policies and context.So let us begin, in the mission document of NME-ICT, although there is a participation of private sector in provisioning computereducation, there is no employer participation for the same. This can be seen as limiting with regards to the dynamic nature of technicaleducation adding to the fact that most of the students that pass out of the institutions would also look for jobs in the private sector.The employers forever complain regarding lack of employability of the youth passing out of our educational institutions, moreoveremployers also seek candidates who are having prior experience and/or know-how of the customization according to their needs.Based on the demand of a skilled work force, the employers either gain/lose the most, due to the quality of the prospective employees.So there has to be employer participation at the level where the skills are being imparted to the prospective candidates. Theschools/colleges (vocational, technical etc) should be encouraged where such interaction and feedback can take place.This is also where NME-ICT can be effective in supporting and projecting the institutions which provide platforms for such conclaves,as role models – highlighting their best practices and making it public (dissemination through ICT). This can further take the shapeof a mutually beneficial forum where institutes and employers participate.This has to be in addition to the FICCI-Higher Education Network summits and outreach initiatives/conferences etc such as Industry– Academia Convergence “Bridging the Skill Gap”.Along with being mutually beneficial to institutes and employers, this would be beneficial for the parents/students as this wouldlead to greater informed choice for them. These forums, conclaves can be telecasted/ web-casted for mass consumption. If the reachfor the same is effective then a conducive environment can appear where students would start demanding such initiatives in theirown institutes where future employer-employee(prospective) interaction can be possible.Along with the above to address the issue of skills gap, one cannot over emphasize that “Education needs to work by pull, not push.”This is the mindset in which I write the remaining of this letter.As you would have read in the NSDC’s skill gap and analysis report for the unorganized sector, there are 388.5 million informalworkers in the informal/unorganized sector which constitute 99.6% of the total work force. Informal workers also constitute 45% inthe formal/unorganized sector. For majority of these workers, long term courses in our universities –no matter how much subsi-dized- won’t pull them into enhancing their skills/learn new skills. Technological innovation makes some skills obsolete and theydon’t have the required amount of time at their disposal. For them, education has to be productive in terms of the trade off betweentime spent in obtaining skills-based education and its pay-offs later.In the above context, there exist grass root innovations which bloom in the localized context of the given city/town/village. Theseinnovations facilitate the demand and supply of the trained manpower and generally fall outside the conventional realm of an insti-tutionalized training environment and significantly reduce the opportunity lost cost for the workers. These ‘institutes’ are alreadythere, what the government can do in this case is provide access to Micro-finance/micro-credit in this sector. It can be promotedalong the lines of already successful and innovative start ups like for example, Rangde initiative in education. And public sectorbanks can partner with such start-ups in different parts of India and use their existing model to finance lower income groups in pur-suing the skill based short term courses of their need and choice.I would limit my suggestions thus; with the hope that you find them worthy of consideration and hope that by writing this I have fa-cilitated the discovery of solutions that can go a long way in resolving the skill gap in the current scenario.Thank you for your time and patience.Warm Regards,Kshitij Sharma8 |Our Quest|Jan-Feb 2014

ThroughTheirEyes A RequestThe man stared at me like he By: Siddhi Suman My basic complaint is not the facil- had seen a ghost. He kept ities that are provided (which are looking till I got very un- designing roads or buses or bus not at all enough obviously); mycomfortable and decided to turn stops or schools or colleges or basic complaint is why should I beaway myself only to meet another workplaces .Yes obviously over the treated so differently in placespair of staring eye. It was only this years we have been tagged differ- where I should not be? You cantime when I did not see fear but in- ently that is from physically dis- hate me for sometimes you maydifference that was plain and chill- abled to differently abled but the have to give up your seat (chairing to the spine. government just thinks (no pun in- lovers aren’t we) because I need it tended) that it is enough and the more than you do, but then therePure amusement. Awkwardness. reservation. are a lot of times when even thatCuriosity. Indifference. Distrust. does not happen and then also I amAnger and Hatred. Yes! And some- Now they will come up with claims met with hatred or fear ? The roottimes sympathy too but what is that they have provided “us” with of this problem lies in our educa-rarely there is empathy. special ID cards to avail conces- tional system where we forget (or sions in the train fares and airline don’t understand the need to) toTravelling in the capital city of this charges and books and educational sensitize our children that just be-great country of diversities I have concessions for the students. (Wait! cause someone is different, you areseen all of these emotions on the Did they forget that me and others not supposed to be different in yourfaces of young and old, men, like me are physically disabled and behavior too.women and others alike and all this not necessarily economically?). Ijust because I do not walk, I limp. do appreciate them for these meas- My basic complaint is that GodJust because when I walk I have to ures for there are thousands who made me different but believe me Iuse both my hands for support lest fail to find jobs on account of their did not want to face these extra hur-I fall, just because I was a prey to a being differently abled. These dles every day, when going out isdisease when I was a child and measures help the families of a lot more like a task rather than fun,could not be properly treated. of men and women who have lost when a ten minute distance for you their limbs and in the process their is an hour long journey for me, aSometimes the travel is easy, espe- right to a respectful life but then I little run to the nukkad shop needscially in the famed Delhi metro, do not think that it is enough. to be planned and meticulouslythere are ramps and the travel is a planned to face all the hurdle. It islesser hassle but once I am outside Sometimes the travel becomes so not fun you know! The challengesthe metro premises, the dream run cumbersome that I decide to give are abundant already and there is aends. up. Give up my job and sit at home. new one everyday but then these The stares kill the last bit of confi- are still manageable and accept-Strangely in this heavily populated dence that I have to gather every able.country of ours where there are so morning before I walk out of mymany others like me who are “dif- home. But then as the saying goes But what is not acceptable is thatferently abled” are forgotten while it is the basic question of survival, people forget that God gave me and yes those stares have made my survival difficult.9 |Our Quest|Jan-Feb 2014

Through Their Eyesdead legs and not dead emotions. I anyone in their closer circles falls Now the basic quescan still see the hatred in their eyes, prey to any kind of disability, forthe strangeness, the fake awkward these feelings when they can hurt a tion is who am I? Howsmiles, the disgust and unfortu- stranger on the way it can kill anately I can still feel. loved one. are you supposed to findYes I feel. I feel bad for them. I feel So next time you see me,give me a me?so miserable for all those ignorant smile(I do not need much),help mesouls that my deepest and truest if I need it, most probably I won’t I can be anyone on this earth-asympathy lies with them. I sin- for I have learnt to live with it andcerely hope that never ever does walk off like a normal person. nameless faceless entity in the crowd. But then I am still easily visible. (I would be holding a crutch, which may be your cue to find me among the people). So next time just smile and move on. Story over!Crisis oEf DUCATIONin INDIAEducation has been a prob- By: Shivam Aggarwal Creating a few more schools or al- lem in our country and lack vants, and we have not deviated lowing hundreds of colleges and of it has been blamed for all much from that pattern till today. If private universities to mushroom issorts of evil for hundreds of years. once the youngsters prepared en not going to solve the crisis of ed-Even Rabindranath Tagore wrote masse for civil services and ban of- ucation in India. And a crisis it is –lengthy articles about we are in a country where peoplehow Indian education ficers exams, they now are spending their parent’s life sav-system needs to change. prepare to be- ings and borrowed money on edu-Funny thing is that from the come en- cation – and even then not gettingcolonial times, few things have gineers. If standard education, and strugglingchanged. We have estab- there are to find employment of their choice.lished IITs, IIMs, law a few In this country, millions of studentsschools and other institu- are victim of an unrealistic, point-tions of excellence; students now centres of ed- less, mindless rat race. The mindroutinely score 90% marks so ucational ex- numbing competition and rotethat even students with 90+ learning do not only crush the cre-percentage find it difficult to get cellence, ativity and originality of millions ofinto the colleges of their choice; for each of those Indian students every year, it alsobut we do more of the same old there are thousands drives brilliant students to commitstuff. suicide. of mediocre and ter- We also live in a country where theRote learning still plagues our sys- rible people see education as the meanstem, students study only to score of climbing the social and eco-marks in exams, and sometimes to schools, col- nomic ladder. If the education sys-crack exams like IIT JEE, AIIMS leges and now even universities tem is failing – then it is certainlyor CLAT. The colonial masters in- that do not meet even minimum not due to lack of demand for goodtroduced education systems in standards. If things have changed a education, or because a market forIndia to create clerks and civil ser- little bit somewhere, elsewhere education does not exist. things have sunk into further iner- tia, corruption and lack of ambi- tion.10 |Our Quest|Jan-Feb 2014

RevolutionthroughEducation IN MYLIFE By:Vinayana KhuranaVinayana is an English(Hons) student. Her collection of poems has resulted in a book recently.Iam a girl, more interestingly a handicap girl. As you must be learning experience for me. The me that keep getting stronger and knowing that how a physical most important lesson my life was stronger with every stoke of wind. gained there. This lesson was- There was a boy in my old school,disability is a stereotype in a coun- Never give up, whatever may be who too was physically disable. Hetry like India. There are countless the circumstances. This teaching was force to leave his educationmisconceptions in Indians about gave a base to my life. This was the when he in 5th grade due to inabil-persons with various kind of dis- main thing liked by my teachers inabilities. Today, I am a proud au- the new school. Education have re-thor of a book of poems written by ally given me wings to fly high. “I was a little girl when Ime, but now when I think closely I The journey in my new school hasunderstand that I would be lost in not been a easy task. 'she would be have been admitted to a spe-the crowd without the power of ed- lost somewhere in the crowd of stu- cial school in Hauz Khas.ucation. Education as some unedu- dents' was my parents first reaction The journey there was acated conclude that it is just a tool when they heard about my transfer learning experience for me.to read and write but they are un- from a special school to a normal The most important lessonable to analyze that its also a ability school. I also remember preemi- my life was gained there.to think. Without education we are nently that when I entered thedeprived of having the confidence classroom of my new school, it was This lesson was- Never giveto say our ideas in public. Here I a delight to see so many children up, whatever may be the cir-am not saying that a uneducated standing and singing welcome song cumstances. This teachingperson doesn't have ideas but they for me. As for me friendship has al- gave a base to my life. Thislack confidence to bring their ideas ways been a important part of my was the main thing liked byto light. I was a little education. I think the lessons of life my teachers in the newgirl when I have a friend can teach us nobody in the school. Education has reallybeen admitted to a world can. I also know that educa- special tion can never be kept among the given me wings to fly high.” s c h o o l pages of a book rather than it is like in huaz a sweet little bird that files in wide K h a s . blue sky. The very first educational ity of his parents to take him to T h e values given to the child is by their school everyday. He lived inside j o u r n e y grandparents as said by Albert Ein- the four walls of a room. He had no t h e r e stein . It also happen that by their friends or someone to talk to. Ulti- was a stories and their small teaching a mately he had to take a big step of child learns a lot about the life. In committing subside. This incident my life also my grandfathers and made me even stronger to fight grandmothers has played an impor- back and excel in any field I go in. tant role in craving my life. It is a It is only due to education there is small but a significant part of edu- a increase in the standard of life we cation in everybody’s life. An im- are living in. portant segment of education is This was my take on education, the motivation, a person can not attain soul of life. I hope many will take education without it. Motivation my story as inspiration and will un-Vinayana Khurana may be internal or external. In my fold new rainbow in their life. case it was both. There is a fire in11 |Our Quest|Jan-Feb 2014

DisabledCinema? MyView By: Akshay Kumar SinghTaare Zameen par, My Name is Khan, But movies were sluggish to transform its customs. In Khamoshi and Barfi are amongst the films a book published in 2003, Paul Longmore, polio vic- which had disability as their theme and did tim and disability activist, identified a series of per-well at the box office. Disability of every kind is al- sistent stereotypes. There were deformed bodies; theways stereotyped in a particular way in any medium mutants of horror films, sometimes lustingwhether it is depicted in films or television. They have grotesquely after \"normal\" women, such as the Nazivery little consideration of their emotions, rather a dwarf in The Black Bird. There were pitiable victimscold and insensitive attitude is shown towards them. of bigotry – but often even they developed attitudesBut now, there has been a change in the way in which so warped that they remained outside society. In Thesuch sensitive topics are now showed on the screen, Elephant Man and Whose Life Is It Anyway?, suicideit has been able to make the audience aware and more has to be the solution. \"Better dead than disabled\", asinsightful towards such things. Longmore put it.Foreign cinema has been the pioneer in showing dis- Such representations, according to Longmore, rein-ability in the most authentic way. In March 2012, Un- forced the notion that disability was a divine punish-touchable, the narrative of the relationship between a ment and that disabled people are a threat: they'requadriplegic (paralysis caused by illness or injury to either out of control or, embittered by their fate, eagera human that results in the partial or total loss of use to avenge themselves on the able-bodied. As such,of all their limbs and torso; paraplegia is similar but they're a nuisance and best separated from normal so-does not affect the arms. The loss is usually sensory ciety. Things those aren’t as crass as said by Long-and motor, which means that both sensation and con- more, mainstream cinema has rather preferredtrol are lost) and his career, became the highest-gross- blindness, deafness or other non visible form of ill-ing film ever in a language other than English. It ness, which had no sign of outward malformation. Biggrossed over £250m at the box all over the globe. An- stars depicting disability have been awarded withother contender for that admiration was Rust and awards for their performances like Rani Mujherji forBone, in which Marion Cotillard plays a double am- Black, Sharukh Khan for MNIK and many others.putee ( the removal of a body extremity by trauma, Perhaps now there is a sense of awareness amongstprolonged constriction, or surgery. As a surgical meas- film makers now, in showing disability on screen.ure, it is used to control pain or a disease process in Many Indian films have a disability character in theirthe affected limb). The thing about these movies is not film whether in main lead or otherwise. Whether itsthat they have a differently abled central character but Aamir Khan’s twin brother in Dhoom 3 or Katrinathe way their personality is treated. MNIK showing Kaif’s brother in Mere Brother Ki Dulhan, disabilityhow a person suffering from autism also had every is something the filmmakers will continue to use inemotion just like anyone else would have and TZP their films to connect to the human emotions. Theyshowing how right care and education can change the don’t comment on their situation or condition as such,outlook of people and can help a child rise above his but are careful in showing them in a good conditionillness. Though such positive treatment has not always where they are shown to be independent. But a morebeen there in cinema, movies have tended to show dis- mature and responsible ap-abled people as objects of disappointment or even proach is required by thosepleasantry, an unlike kind whose condition subjects who control this medium, tothem to seclusion. Of course, such strangeness was make a difference. Thismerely reflecting the social outlook of that time, and medium has the power tothese began to change during the 1980s and 90s when make an impact andconventional culture became more comprehensive. change the existing stereo-Cinema – literally shaping the way its subjects were type and alienation that theviewed – had the power to advance this process. society has.12 |Our Quest|Jan-Feb 2014

EventReport Save The Quest At NAB Diwali Mela By: Angela SharmaOn 26th October 2013, a Di- Quest. The Certificate of Asso- wali Mela was organised ciation was formally given to Saif at National Association for Ahmad Khan, Chairman of SaveBlind (NAB), a hostel for visually The Quest. The children appearedimpaired students. Save The Quest very lively, singing and dancing toalso had an opportunity to con- popular Bollywood and Punjabitribute their bit at NAB in this mela numbers. There were other stallswhere our volunteers regularly too, like a Tambola stand, whereteach and write exams for the chil- people were lured to multiplydren there. their money. There wereSave The Quest was invited by stage performances as well.NAB to put up a stall and conduct Murad, who is a membersome sensitization events. Some of The Quest Band, mes-families were also asked about the merized the audience withvarious ways in which STQ could beautiful songs and cou-provide more support to the chil- plets in his voice.dren NAB Diwali MelaSTQ conducted games in which vi- emerged to be an enjoy-sually impaired and sighted chil- able event for most ofdren played together and it turned the people and STQout to be a frolic event for all. STQ helped in spreadingoffered various prizes to encourage awareness of issues of sensi-participation in the games. tization towards the visually im-The limelight of the event was the paired children and reformed education. official union of Na- tional Association for Blind and Save The13 |Our Quest|Jan-Feb 2014

EventReportSave The Quest sets afloatThe QuestBand By: Angela Sharma students of Na- Murad’s stupefying tabla perform- tional Association ance was absolutely gripping andAs you know, we at Save for Blind. We had so were Amit’s tunes on his guitar. The Quest have not limited Namit on the key- STQ’s amazing band conquered ourselves to any particular boards, Amit on the the audience’s gusto. Save Theway of social work. We have a very guitar, Murad on Quest looks forward to more per-dynamic way of expressing our- the tabla, Saroj as formances by The Quest Bandselves and sensitizing the populace. the lead singer and with a strong endeav-In other words, we believe that an Divesh, Vaishali, our to spread aware-NGO does not necessarily have to Rajeev, Ankitabe boring and do only social work. comprising the rest nessWe believe in spontaneity and the of the band. Our amongstgloss of novelty. chairman Saif lead them.Thus, to bring a new twist in STQ’s the band as a flute playing.ways, we brought forward the idea The Quest Band swept the crowdof starting our own band- The off their heels with their perform-Quest Band. The Quest Band gave ance. Saroj’s riveting performanceits first performance on 29th Octo- on Zila Khan’s spectacular numberber, 2013 in Aadya, the NSS mela ‘O Lal Meri’ was theof Delhi College of Arts and Com- most appreciatingmerce. perform- The band is guided ance of by Delhi College the day. of Arts and Com- merce’s musician Namit and consists of 7 The Quest performing in NSS Mela14 |Our Quest|Jan-Feb 2014

MonthlySpecial She Reads...?! By: Sanchya Aggarwal “You educate a man; you educate a man. You educate a woman; you educate a generation.” Nelson Mandela once said “It’s a common sight in 14yrs in a neighbourhood school. that education is the best rural areas to see parents Many women from the provinces weapon which you can use not letting their daughters now have the privilege of getting to to change the world. But with the to go to school so that primary schools at least. female literacy rate of 65.46% they can help in earning a compared to the male literacy of livelihood. It’s routine to But what the government has failed 82.14% in India, there the prospect see children walking to re- to do is provide quality education. of female literacy doesn’t seem so mote areas to attend Education that can get them em- bright. school. It’s not surprising ployed. Education that can equip to know that females drop them with insight, powers of analy- Women education in India has al- out of school due to lack sis and assimilation of information ways been a topic of great debate. of finances.” in order to confront the challenges Some believe that educating a fe- of a globalised world. They have male is as important as educating a girls. And this social stigma has failed in providing safe environ- male, others argue that it’s better been aggravated due to obvious se- ment for female students. invest it in a lavish ceremony to curity issues for women and gender marry her off! insensitivity. However, WE THE PEOPLE OF The government of our nation has INDIA are equal partners in crime. It’s not a rarity existing in rural launched some schemes to improve Our social taboo of not sending our areas to see parents not letting their the condition of women education daughters to school or forcing them daughters to go to school and get in India. They have set up schools to marry or work for money with- education. Rather they train the lit- and colleges at district and state out the completion of formal edu- tle girls do household chores when levels. They have introduced new cation is also to be blamed. they are supposed to hold pen and programs for poor people living in “School’s too far”, “They don’t paper in their hands. It’s not sur- rural areas. They have introduced a have a female teacher” are the ex- prising to know that females drop string of schemes like ‘Laadli cuses that people generally cite for out of school due to lack of fi- scheme’, ‘Saakshar Bharat Mission not sending females to school. But nances and reck- for female literacy’,’Kasturba I wonder is it the real problem? less attitude to believe in edu- Gandhi Balika I feel it’s time that we understand cating their Vidhyalaya the importance of women educa- scheme’ and tion. It’s time that we start treatingSource: aprioriconference.net ‘Scholarships for them as human equals. It’s time her’… primary that we respect them. It’s time that education. The we let them live life on their terms. Right to Educa- It’s time that we get rid of our bi- tion Act provides ases. It’s time that we move on compulsory and from a patriarchal society to an free education to egalitarian one. It’s time for REV- children aged 7- OLUTION THROUGH EDUCA- TION! 15 |Our Quest|Jan-Feb 2014

SpecialsSocial Issues in EducationIf there is one thing that makes By: Rashi Anchalia around 7,000 high school students, or breaks an individual - it is drop out of school every day! The his education. Schools, where graphical factors, children from high drop out rates are propelled bychildren study, learn and prepare certain ethnic groups lack adequate social issues in education as men-for life, thus need to provide the exposure to sources of learning. tioned above. These issues basi-right kind of environment so that Also, there are certain stereotypes cally have two kinds of impact -students can get an education prop- that have been attached to specific firstly, the student's performanceerly. races and, children belonging to suffers and secondly, the teacher's them, suffer from low self-esteem. expectations do not remain theIn schools, students are taught lan- same for everybody. That's whyguages, mathematics, science, his- Gender Issues certain political issues on educationtory and a number of other Another social issue in education is have been raised to deal with thesesubjects. They get to participate in differentiation on the basis of sex. social problems.sports activities, socialize with their Girls have lesser opportunities, The government is running variouspeers and learn how to adapt them- compared to boys for studying, in bilingual programs in schools,selves in different social situations. certain sections of the society. Ex- where majority of students belongHowever, an impediment in the pectations from girls to score high to immigrant families. This helpspath of the child development at in studies or study further, are less them learn English and other sub-schools, comes by way of the vari- too. jects faster. Secondly, the govern-ous social issues that plague our ed- ment has come up withucation system. Economic Issues \"private-school vouchers\", with the Some social issues arise due to the help of which students of publicSocial Issues in Education economic strata a student belongs schools can attend private schools to. Students who belong to poor to get a superior education. Emotional Issues families, go to public schools Some current issues in educationSociety has changed considerably which are not so well equipped with regards to politics, that requirein the last few decades. Today, the with technology. This automati- immediate attention by policy mak-divorce rate is very high in America cally puts them at a disadvantage, ers are - Providing family and med-and many school going children are when compared to the students ical leave to all working parents sobrought up in single parent fami- who go to some good private that they can spend quality timelies. Growing up in broken homes schools. with their children, providing fi-can adversely affect the emotional nancial support to low-incomehealth of a student and this may Cultural Issues families and single mothers, givinglower his performance at school. Students belonging to immigrant scholarships to teachers to studyHowever, even when children are families, may not be well versed further and running training pro-brought up in homes where both with English language. This creates grams for them and lastly, takingparents are present, it's not neces- a barrier in communication be- steps to prevent the spread of HIV,sary that there emotional needs will tween students and teachers and STDs among adolescents.be met, as in majority of families thus, such students are not able to The government has to make cer-today, both the parents are working. receive proper education. tain policies and see to it that they are implemented properly, to tackle Ethnic Issues Ethical Issues these issues. Besides political will,Children belonging to certain eth- There are certain ethical issues in a change in society's attitude isnic groups, are judged as being education which too, affect stu- needed too, to ensure that these is-slower learners as compared to oth- dents such as - whether to allow sues do not arise any further.ers. As such, one's learning ability cell phones in school or not, shouldis not directly related to his ethnic- school uniforms be made compul-ity. But due to social or even geo- sory, etc. Impact of Social Issues in Education According to the \"Education Re- search Center, United States\",16 |Our Quest|Jan-Feb 2014

PoemSection Stoned Cold Gaze Suchitra Singh He is standing there,siting there But they never leave the hope yawning there, waiting to be spared the one who dare to move on they'll stay forever with us with stone cold gaze telling us to mind the gruesome falsity filled with awe and hazed ,the hollow man residing within us. with the bleak fathom failing But they are strong enough to go away with his decent wisdom. to face the reality being rough they are the courageous one He was promised a long ago who holds themselves against odd and still given more everyday ones he was among the crowd and they will again be the which always go unaroused who are supposed to be lifted ones who would use the fibre because they are gifted. and prove their callibre. This was all bounded up there Whoever passes by them grow empathetic to them in his bright base tries and pretend to show concern waiting to be raised but moves on with same pattern he has born with this gaze they are full of potentials grew young and now old but require due credentials. with this on going wait because its never to late...... They have need to be accepted required not to be berefted Source: blog.amsvans.com they are like creepers who need propellors to lead them towards their dream to give them a joyride a happiness to scream. They are part of past,present and future, who needs care to get nurtured in their quiet deformity and that grave gross rarity in their quiet despondence lies every ones benevolence that seen to be practiced but always stays chastised in the deep psyche to lead it to niche.17 |Our Quest|Jan-Feb 2014

PoemSection They Too... Anuj Kumar God gave birth to them Source: herbblockfoundation.org Child’s Cry They too work like a stem Source: news.nationalgeographic.com Japesh Maini Stem of world like tree Children are the ones who cannot be counted in dollars Where every human is free They are the ones to get GOLD from SQUALOR. Free to get educated They are the roles of happiness and joys.. Free to earn what they have imagined Sweet and lovable from heart and have kind voice. They too have their dreams But still there are many people who do not love these They too want to enjoy the cream creatures.. The cream of knowledge, the cream of success Forcibly engage them in workshops and have evil na- And the cream of right social status tures.. With their hard work and their courage They can complete their real voyage They are found in teashops working with their tiny If god have snatched from them thing one hands.. He might have exchanged it with another one Deprived of all human rights,do not study, eat or play in The one for which, they will be known sands.. The one only they will own Man is just using these small bubbles.. The talent they store in them And making there joyful life full of troubles.. Is the real reason why they too work as a stem God may be troubling his specials But to help them he have appointed some helpers Helpers of humanity Or the people who work for divinity May be they are struggling today Losing their hope in their way Trying to cover up what they say Making promises not just dark hayWhen they find everything blocked, they didn't say They just create their own way One day from their closed eyes They will see every single sun ray And will celebrate the seventh day. IT IS HIGH TIME........ Prohibition should be there against the labour of child,, Otherwise , nothing will effect us but will make these angles wild.... SO SAVE CHILDHOOD.. SAY NO TO CHILD LABOUR...18 |Our Quest|Jan-Feb 2014

SpecialsWhen the Gap cannobte Bridged By: Aparna SubramanianHe was feeling low and How could he , he was just an 8 Source: globalenvision.orgdown and began revising for his tired. Participation in the year old. English test his tuition teacher was inter school hundred meter While washing his hands, he no- conducting that day.race had earned him a consolation ticed his friends were playing kho- He began memorizing question-an-prize. His mother had been happy kho on the street. Ram and Vicky swers and fill in the blanks. Bothbefore she spoke to vicky’s mother. had left their playing group around his school teacher and the tuitionVicky had won the second prize. a month ago, they had started at- teacher had told him that the wayShe was fuming the entire way tending maths tuitions. Vicky’s to fluent English was by memoriz-home. Back home, he was fin-ishing lunch and she showed mother had told his mother how her ing question-answers. Ten min-no signs of stopping. He son had scored 9.5/10 in maths test utes into the memorizing andlooked at the clock. It was four and it was all because of the new his mind was already thinkingthirty, he had to leave in 30 tuition teacher. about the G.I. Joe he would beminutes for his tuitions. “I wish He then picked up his bag and getting for his birthday nextI could go out and play”, he emptied out his paints and brushes week. His mother suddenlythought sadly. and packed more books in. After he came in and slapped him. completed this arduous task he sat He was stunned into silence .“Do you know how shameful it ”You cannot even study for tenwas for me to stand there and mins properly?!” his motherhear from your teacher that you screamed, again. How could anhad not completed your home- 8 yr old dream about his G. I Joework on time, that too in front when he has an english test onlyof other parents!!” his mother twenty minutes later, clearly itscreamed. was wrong!He remained silent and tried to He then dried his tears andconcentrate on food. started for his tuitions. His bag“Open your mouth and give me hung precariously low on hisanswer, don’t just sit there like back and he looked drained! Onthe dumb kid you are. Atleast his way he met his friends whopretend you are smart!” she were playing on the street andcontinued. spoke to them. He jolted backTwenty five minutes left. He into the reality as the memory offinished his food , got up from the his mother’s slap came flashingtable and went and washed up. His back and he hurriedly walkedmother had moved on to mumbling away! Praying hard that neither histo god about his shortcomings. tuition teacher nor his mother hadHow strange she is , he thought, seen him pausing as in either eventwhy should he pretend to be smart. it would mean more scolding.He did not understand she was say- He quickly crossed the road anding. disappeared in a house marked : “Rama Tuition Center”.19 |Our Quest|Jan-Feb 2014

Cartoon By: Aritro Saha20 |Our Quest|Jan-Feb 2014