“The school was what could euphemistically be called a ‘teaching college’.'' At a teaching college you teach and you teach and you teach with no time for research, no time for contemplation, no time for participation in outside affairs. Just teach and teach and teach until your mind grows dull and your creativity vanishes and you become an automaton saying the same dull things over and over to endless waves of innocent students who cannot understand why you are so dull, lose respect and fan this disrespect out into the community. The reason you teach and you teach and you teach is that this is a very clever way of running a college on the cheap while giving a false appearance of genuine education.”
-Excerpts from novel ‘Zen and Art of Motor Cycle Maintenance’
Any educational institution like a school, a college or a university stoops down to be just another ‘teaching place’. A place where there is only one state of affair and that is to teach, to teach and only to teach. In short, it is an eternal automaton.
That’s what we all have been through – series of automated factory lines where in every thing follows just one simple rule of dull, monotonous and dreary mode of learning. The sole intention of this mode of learning (if it at all can be called so) is to dump the entire load of facts onto the perplexed minds of students. A typical student who takes this form of learning will turn into a zombish automaton – and adds to the thousands of such minds which have been made devoid of simple yet essential aspects of education.
Learning and education which can be a dynamic and enlivening process ends up just another set of trite words written in an equally alienated textbook which takes out all of charm out of the process of learning. All this backed up with the eternally conditioned teachers and parents make life of a student nothing less than a horse with blinders on, not sure of where he is going, or why.
Another companion for all the students is the great technique of “rote”. I still cannot forget the fact that I used to rote up to five pages of History answers when I was 12 years old. This aspect of rote does not stop there but also extends to all other subjects, which should be learnt out of analytical understanding or experiential understanding. There were cases where in I even had to rote a mathematics problem. I am not sure if educated has ruined me, or vice versa.
One memorable phrase which we all have heard hundreds of times, yet the most ill-understood and easily the most misinterpreted one must be “by-heart”. By heart, in most general usage refers to learning something into memory, so that we can recite it back from memory without referring to the original source of content. But, don’t we all know out of our own experience that the things which we tend to remember the most are the ones which appeal to our hearts, and the ones which we love. For instance, don’t we remember certain childhood stories and fairytales which took our fascination? Also, we easily remember most songs because we like them, and we listen to them because they are fun.
Have we not lived the life of zombies most of the student life – arguably the most intuitive and intellectually rich days of our life. At atleast I did from school right through to Engineering.
In retrospect, I see that “by heart” could have been the saviour of the day, if it was interpreted in the right way. It probably meant getting swept into the fascination of the subject – falling in love with the subject and then it brings forth the passion which takes things in intuitive and intellectual way – a perfect sense of approach to education. When I look back I see that I never really “fell in love” with anything that was taught to me. Science was OK, History was boring, English was laborious and the most haunting and daunting was Mathematics. And guess what I graduated as an Engineer – whose foremost tools are supposed to be scientific method and mathematics.
I did enjoy English classes, in bits and spurts though. If it was not for the dull and uninteresting grammar sessions, I would have really fallen in love with English. And please don’t get me wrong because I am good at both grammar and English, but I could have had more of other things in this time. I never had enough time to bask in the melodious poems, enchanting fairy tales, etc. Never was it stressed that English, as any other language was a mode of communication – a vehicle for expression.
All the years, English like all other subjects was another demon to be conquered by hard work and by rote. And, it is only years later I have realized that language is a vehicle of expression – something which I should have been taught years earlier. It is only vehicle I have now to express my concern and disdain.
Please don’t get me wrong that either I have been a bad student or am not able to pace up with life. It is the other way round; I have always been in top three of students in a class, throughout my education.
Being a success, in reality, I have been a failure. Probably vice versa would have been better.
Only if all these years someone had taught me that “by heart” meant by passion and drive rather than by memory and conformity I would be at some other place, doing something really “by heart”.
Let me wrap up with words of Karl Menninge –
"What's done to children, they will do to society."
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Mateship
Aussie Mateship
August 30 2004 was the party time for us, one of our roommates, was celebrating his birthday. What makes it special is that he shares the birthday with a bigger and well-known entity; Melbourne.
Yep Mate, Melbourne has turned 150 on that day.
This reminds me few interesting facts about Australia, which I would like to share with all of you.
Over 90% of the population of this country lives in nearly 10% of the land, needless to say on the cities. They include Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra, Brisbane and others. All of which are well-known to the cricketing fraternity.
This is the only continent in the world which is encompassed by a single country. Canberra is the political capital; Sydney is the commercial capital and Melbourne is known as the cultural capital.
Melbourne portrays a multi-cultural look. Its motley outlook can be attributed to the fact that this city holds people from 110 nationalities.
You sure feel like a Babel fish, ala not knowing of what the people around you are up to. All the whims of universal brotherhood come to reality here.
This is a place where the global culture is packed with Cosmo outlook, and filled with flair of universal fraternity.
In short, this is what Aussies love calling themselves as 'The Egalitarian Society'.
This well-gelling feel of fraternity is termed as 'Mateship' and is well known all over. Now, do you see the significance of folks here calling one another as Mate? It sure holds the key to evolution of their culture.
Oops, what ghoul has overcome me to make me spill over word ‘culture’? I am certainly bewitched to utter that word.
There is no way back after being 'taken' by a spirit to utter the word called ‘culture’. I need to hold reins of my babbling, or it will certainly cost me. Now I am no holds barred, and believe me when I say that that ghoul who took over me is certainly not Australian. Not sure, you need not wait for long.
The term 'Australian Culture' is an oxy-moron. You have read it right, there is no typo error, or I have not gone mad. 'Australian Culture' is an oxy-moron. (It is a rhetorical figure in which incongruous or contradictory terms are combined, as in a deafening silence, a mournful optimist, cruel kindness; laborious idleness).
Or, probably the ghoul must be of aboriginal origins, which were bought to near extinction by the English who started colonizing here in this continent.
This was an infamous land to which convicts were deported. And the famous gold-rush in the late 18th century bought immigrants from all over the world for want of gold and fortunes.
Imagine; you along with a few strangers are camping in an alien land. The only common string tying you together is the need for the gold, fortunes. Immigrants and locals were given permits of gold mining by the government. You need to mine through a petrified field of miles, and it is for sure that you cannot do it alone. We need company, so does others. Also, everyone was eying for the gold, so if you strike fortune also you are at the risk of being robbed of gold, not even barring your life.
This certainly is a Catch 22 situation. The only safe way is make alliance with the fellow miners to maintain a cordial relationship and for the much-needed safety and peace for you.
Thus this fellow companion; a partner in all of your travails, sorrows, labour, work and hard life is called a Mate. And this companionship is called Mateship. Most part of the 18th century and the early 19th century they were only labouring either for gold or for cattle.
Here, a person is respected only for being himself, but not by the kind of work he does or the money he earns. He is respected by being himself and by being assertive-a much needed trait for miners to balance both his and the companions need.
Such a person is called a Mate. This practise is so ingrained that when you want to start a conversation with a stranger, you call him ‘mate’.
Uttering the same word can do wonders; it builds instant rapport and puts both of you on a common platform of communication.
But for this Mateship, an Aussie product, all of other forms of lifestyle and living are being influenced by the multifarious religions and communities which dwelled in here. Thus the term ‘Australian Culture’ is an oxy-moron, as it is not truly Australian. It is a motley pack of all the nationalities of the world. Now, it should be understandable as to why they get bowled over by the spices, curries, yoga, saris and esoteric aspects of Indian sub-continent.
Mate, are you with me.
I would like to end with a famous ode from a famous Australian poet called Henry Lawson.
I personally loved it as it reflects the approach of the Aussies and also their evolution.
This must make things clear as why Australian Cricket Team stands apart in the world cricket.
It all owes to their mateship and perseverance.
After reading through till this point, mate I am sure you will not swear at me coz’ “no matter what a mate may do, a mate can do no wrong”.
Cheers Mate!!!
***********************************************
We learnt the creed at Hungerford,
He's like a king in this respect (No matter what they do),
August 30 2004 was the party time for us, one of our roommates, was celebrating his birthday. What makes it special is that he shares the birthday with a bigger and well-known entity; Melbourne.
Yep Mate, Melbourne has turned 150 on that day.
This reminds me few interesting facts about Australia, which I would like to share with all of you.
Over 90% of the population of this country lives in nearly 10% of the land, needless to say on the cities. They include Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra, Brisbane and others. All of which are well-known to the cricketing fraternity.
This is the only continent in the world which is encompassed by a single country. Canberra is the political capital; Sydney is the commercial capital and Melbourne is known as the cultural capital.
Melbourne portrays a multi-cultural look. Its motley outlook can be attributed to the fact that this city holds people from 110 nationalities.
You sure feel like a Babel fish, ala not knowing of what the people around you are up to. All the whims of universal brotherhood come to reality here.
This is a place where the global culture is packed with Cosmo outlook, and filled with flair of universal fraternity.
In short, this is what Aussies love calling themselves as 'The Egalitarian Society'.
This well-gelling feel of fraternity is termed as 'Mateship' and is well known all over. Now, do you see the significance of folks here calling one another as Mate? It sure holds the key to evolution of their culture.
Oops, what ghoul has overcome me to make me spill over word ‘culture’? I am certainly bewitched to utter that word.
There is no way back after being 'taken' by a spirit to utter the word called ‘culture’. I need to hold reins of my babbling, or it will certainly cost me. Now I am no holds barred, and believe me when I say that that ghoul who took over me is certainly not Australian. Not sure, you need not wait for long.
The term 'Australian Culture' is an oxy-moron. You have read it right, there is no typo error, or I have not gone mad. 'Australian Culture' is an oxy-moron. (It is a rhetorical figure in which incongruous or contradictory terms are combined, as in a deafening silence, a mournful optimist, cruel kindness; laborious idleness).
Or, probably the ghoul must be of aboriginal origins, which were bought to near extinction by the English who started colonizing here in this continent.
This was an infamous land to which convicts were deported. And the famous gold-rush in the late 18th century bought immigrants from all over the world for want of gold and fortunes.
Imagine; you along with a few strangers are camping in an alien land. The only common string tying you together is the need for the gold, fortunes. Immigrants and locals were given permits of gold mining by the government. You need to mine through a petrified field of miles, and it is for sure that you cannot do it alone. We need company, so does others. Also, everyone was eying for the gold, so if you strike fortune also you are at the risk of being robbed of gold, not even barring your life.
This certainly is a Catch 22 situation. The only safe way is make alliance with the fellow miners to maintain a cordial relationship and for the much-needed safety and peace for you.
Thus this fellow companion; a partner in all of your travails, sorrows, labour, work and hard life is called a Mate. And this companionship is called Mateship. Most part of the 18th century and the early 19th century they were only labouring either for gold or for cattle.
Here, a person is respected only for being himself, but not by the kind of work he does or the money he earns. He is respected by being himself and by being assertive-a much needed trait for miners to balance both his and the companions need.
Such a person is called a Mate. This practise is so ingrained that when you want to start a conversation with a stranger, you call him ‘mate’.
Uttering the same word can do wonders; it builds instant rapport and puts both of you on a common platform of communication.
But for this Mateship, an Aussie product, all of other forms of lifestyle and living are being influenced by the multifarious religions and communities which dwelled in here. Thus the term ‘Australian Culture’ is an oxy-moron, as it is not truly Australian. It is a motley pack of all the nationalities of the world. Now, it should be understandable as to why they get bowled over by the spices, curries, yoga, saris and esoteric aspects of Indian sub-continent.
Mate, are you with me.
I would like to end with a famous ode from a famous Australian poet called Henry Lawson.
I personally loved it as it reflects the approach of the Aussies and also their evolution.
This must make things clear as why Australian Cricket Team stands apart in the world cricket.
It all owes to their mateship and perseverance.
After reading through till this point, mate I am sure you will not swear at me coz’ “no matter what a mate may do, a mate can do no wrong”.
Cheers Mate!!!
***********************************************
A Mate Can Do No Wrong
Henry Lawson
Henry Lawson
We learnt the creed at Hungerford,
We learnt the creed at Bourke;
We learnt it in the good times
And learnt it out of work.
We learnt it by the harbour-side
And on the billabong:
"No matter what a mate may do,A mate can do no wrong!"
He's like a king in this respect (No matter what they do),
And, king-like, shares in storm and shine
The Throne of Life with you.
We learnt it when we were in gaol
And put it in a song:
" No matter what a mate may do,A mate can do no wrong!"
They'll say he said a bitter word when he's away or dead.
We're loyal to his memory,
No matter what he said.
And we should never hesitate,
But strike out good and strong,
And jolt the slanderer on the jaw
-A mate can do no wrong !
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
In the Beginning
No Worries. It’s going on well mate (pronounced like mite).
If you ever happen to overhear those phrases, it’s for sure that you are in an Aussie company.
“Yep Mate. It should not take more than 20 minutes” said the cab driver; my first acquaintance in the land down under; Australia.
After a thorough rummaging done by the immigration department at the airport, I had a breather. Felt relaxed. There is this queer feel of being suspected by them, especially if you are travelling abroad for the first time.
I was happy to be out from their vicinity albeit giving in a packet of Indian pickle powder. The first remark after coming out of airport was “it’s cool”, not metaphorically but literally. Its winter and I am in Melbourne whose temperatures fluctuate between 5-15 degrees in a day. That can be quiet scratchy if you come in from India.
This great biological instrument, the human body makes wonderful adaptations to the immediate surroundings. But it sure does show the transition. One clear example was the Jet Lag and the biological clock adjustment.
The first morning in Australia I woke up at 11:30 AM, it was clearly four and half hours ahead of usual time. You guessed it right, it’s because the Aussies run four and half hours ahead of India. I adjusted my hand-watch but could not do the same with my body.
That reminds me of something very vital, how could I not have mentioned it till now. As soon as I landed here I was robbed. And that too being one of the most precious things of my life. I was robbed of my time; priceless four and half hours. They say I can gain that back only when I go back to India. And considering a hypothetical situation that I never go back to India, I have lost it forever. Audacious robbery, isn’t it?
The best part of the story lies in the fact that for a fortnight I can avail accommodation in a luxurious hotel. Free of cost. Take my word, it is the best part. It was a brilliantly decorated apartment with plethora of appliances. I could not make out of what most of them do.
The saddest part, I was alone. This element would continue throughout the memoirs; “A lonely soul in an alien land”.
The only digression being this place isn’t that alien and I am not that lonely. Sounds contradicting, yep, that’s how life sounds like. Would you bet? You know the answer.
Mate, let’s do a Superman’s act right now and venture back to into time. Life was in an amphi state (don’t peep into the dictionaries you will not find the word, it is concocted by yours sincerely). I meant I was not on land but was in air.
I was flying … Whoooooooz… Wakaaav …..
Ever wondered why flying was a fascination for man, catch a flight and all your doubts will be obliterated. Precaution: never miss the window seat, or you will miss all the action. And never ever travel during night or you will miss all the fun.
It feels awesome to get into Boeing flight and fly like a bird. The massivity of the machine adds flavor to aviation.
If you ever get a chance, please do catch up a flight with the Malaysian Airlines. They are simply great. Not to mention the beautiful airhostesses and their wonderful attires. They could miss anything but will not miss the smile on their face. There lies the beauty of service industry.
Folks in IT, to get a glimpse of customer-centered process we have loads to discern and learn. We in IT hate to be called as being part of Service Industry. I know that this topic is contentious. Let’s circumvent it and proceed, I won’t appreciate mixing beauty and politics, especially when you are a Superman. Yesss, I reminded you of the Superman act just when it was sliding off your brain.
Cut!!! Roll back, production 4 scene 3 over. Done.
We are back to the present. The Superman vanishes in to the air.
I know that this is getting a little lengthy. And it is a bit monotonous. I promise that next time you will get colorful stuff. I am going to get a digital camera, today. So, you can see a lot of Melbourne through my eyes, sorry my lens.
To end with a few nitty-gritty things
And, I have visited MCG (Melbourne Cricket Ground) the Mecca or Medina or what ever of World Cricket... One considerable phase of my life is done. I am entering into a new phase. Now life seems to make sense.
More things to follow very soon ….
Adios, Mate.
If you ever happen to overhear those phrases, it’s for sure that you are in an Aussie company.
“Yep Mate. It should not take more than 20 minutes” said the cab driver; my first acquaintance in the land down under; Australia.
After a thorough rummaging done by the immigration department at the airport, I had a breather. Felt relaxed. There is this queer feel of being suspected by them, especially if you are travelling abroad for the first time.
I was happy to be out from their vicinity albeit giving in a packet of Indian pickle powder. The first remark after coming out of airport was “it’s cool”, not metaphorically but literally. Its winter and I am in Melbourne whose temperatures fluctuate between 5-15 degrees in a day. That can be quiet scratchy if you come in from India.
This great biological instrument, the human body makes wonderful adaptations to the immediate surroundings. But it sure does show the transition. One clear example was the Jet Lag and the biological clock adjustment.
The first morning in Australia I woke up at 11:30 AM, it was clearly four and half hours ahead of usual time. You guessed it right, it’s because the Aussies run four and half hours ahead of India. I adjusted my hand-watch but could not do the same with my body.
That reminds me of something very vital, how could I not have mentioned it till now. As soon as I landed here I was robbed. And that too being one of the most precious things of my life. I was robbed of my time; priceless four and half hours. They say I can gain that back only when I go back to India. And considering a hypothetical situation that I never go back to India, I have lost it forever. Audacious robbery, isn’t it?
The best part of the story lies in the fact that for a fortnight I can avail accommodation in a luxurious hotel. Free of cost. Take my word, it is the best part. It was a brilliantly decorated apartment with plethora of appliances. I could not make out of what most of them do.
The saddest part, I was alone. This element would continue throughout the memoirs; “A lonely soul in an alien land”.
The only digression being this place isn’t that alien and I am not that lonely. Sounds contradicting, yep, that’s how life sounds like. Would you bet? You know the answer.
Mate, let’s do a Superman’s act right now and venture back to into time. Life was in an amphi state (don’t peep into the dictionaries you will not find the word, it is concocted by yours sincerely). I meant I was not on land but was in air.
I was flying … Whoooooooz… Wakaaav …..
Ever wondered why flying was a fascination for man, catch a flight and all your doubts will be obliterated. Precaution: never miss the window seat, or you will miss all the action. And never ever travel during night or you will miss all the fun.
It feels awesome to get into Boeing flight and fly like a bird. The massivity of the machine adds flavor to aviation.
If you ever get a chance, please do catch up a flight with the Malaysian Airlines. They are simply great. Not to mention the beautiful airhostesses and their wonderful attires. They could miss anything but will not miss the smile on their face. There lies the beauty of service industry.
Folks in IT, to get a glimpse of customer-centered process we have loads to discern and learn. We in IT hate to be called as being part of Service Industry. I know that this topic is contentious. Let’s circumvent it and proceed, I won’t appreciate mixing beauty and politics, especially when you are a Superman. Yesss, I reminded you of the Superman act just when it was sliding off your brain.
Cut!!! Roll back, production 4 scene 3 over. Done.
We are back to the present. The Superman vanishes in to the air.
I know that this is getting a little lengthy. And it is a bit monotonous. I promise that next time you will get colorful stuff. I am going to get a digital camera, today. So, you can see a lot of Melbourne through my eyes, sorry my lens.
To end with a few nitty-gritty things
And, I have visited MCG (Melbourne Cricket Ground) the Mecca or Medina or what ever of World Cricket... One considerable phase of my life is done. I am entering into a new phase. Now life seems to make sense.
More things to follow very soon ….
Adios, Mate.
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