Social Awareness & Analysis on Latest News : September 2014

Wednesday 17 September 2014

Mary Kom Movie Review 2014

Mary Kom, a biopic movie featuring Priyanka Chopra released on the 5th of September. The movie has said to cross 50 crores in 5 days. It has been a huge hit with a lot of positive reviews.

Priyanka Chopra’s performance is outstanding. It cannot be criticised in any manner and is simply sterling. As should be the manifestation of a biopic, that too of a virtuoso sports person, Priyanka overshadows everyone with her exceptional performance.

Mary Kom is an inspiring movie casting forth the message of gender equality and not just feminism. It has also highlighted the north eastern India, which is generally quite aloof from the mainstream north and south India. It kind of gives an insight of the north eastern culture as well.

The movie also depicts a beautiful relationship between Mary Kom and her husband, where he not only encourages her to follow her dreams but supports her throughout.

We all know how mothers are readily willing to give up on their dreams for the sake of their children, but this movie showcases that with a competent partner the responsibilities are adequately divided due to which every woman can strive for excellence in her particular field of work.

But this movie too has its fair share of flaws. Certain scenes have an abrupt ending, while dialogs inserted to add spice do not serve their purpose well. The ending too is overly dramatised. As her son recovers during the surgical operation, simultaneous she starts to fight back in her match, finally winning it. Doesn't it sound typically Bollywood?

MAHIMA, Pickyouropinion.com GURUJEE, Competition Intern - See more at: http://pickyouropinion.com - See more at: http://pickyouropinion.blogspot.in/#sthash.5Ta2Pb52.dpuf

Overall, this movie is a good watch for its audience. Precisely, it depicts a journey of a woman who fought against all the adversities of life and emerged to be one of the most respected and successful sports person of the country, making the nation proud!!

Posted By: MAHIMA, Pickyouropinion.com Intern - See more at: http://pickyouropinion.com

MAHIMA, Pickyouropinion.com GURUJEE, Competition Intern - See more at: http://pickyouropinion.com - See more at: http://pickyouropinion.blogspot.in/#sthash.5Ta2Pb52.dpuf

Wednesday 10 September 2014

Education System In India

Education has been a great concern in our country and the paucity of the same has been blamed for all varieties of evil for centuries. A lot of renowned people too have thoroughly emphasized on the importance of education. But honestly, its weird that a very little has changed since 1947.

India has come up with a lot of worldly acclaimed universities like the IIM’s and other institutions of great eminence. It astonishing that students are so bright and yet fail to get admission in the college of their preference.

There was a time when getting first division meant the apex of ecstasy for the family as well as the child. But today, the scenario is so different. Students getting 98% are looked down upon. The one up man ship attitude has taken a toll on the healthy learning environment everywhere.

Our education system primarily focuses on the the rote learning concept, instead of application. Because of which , pupils only study to get a high percentage for their exams and don't really care about the intrinsic value of education. Knowledge is blotted out as soon as the semester exam is over. It a shame that even teachers now a days don't focus on the mental development of the child, rather give negative reinforcement, if their answers are not in correspondence to the text.

As a result of which every succeeding year students devote themselves to cramming information. The unsurpassed crammers get honored by the system. Creative thinkers are mocked upon. Asking questions in the class is jocular.

I mean do we call this as education? Teachers today are just squandering the valuable time of children. At the end of the month they will get what they are assigned for, but is the fee payed by the student, worth ? Because clearly, the student is not benefited.

Hence, the need of the hour is to redefine the education system in India. It has to hold on tight to the latest technology. Especially internet, which is a boon in disguise. We’ve got to spread internet in the far off villages, which may seem like a distant dream at the moment, but something which may eventually happen if we start once.

Additionally, all schools must have e-learning, so that the knowledge gained can actually be put into practice. Also, private capital should be allowed in the educational sphere. We all are well aware of the fact that India is a developing country, thus we cannot expect much from the government knowing the current status of our debts. But yet again, we have to ensure regular checks on the private institutions as well, so that they don't just aim at commercializing .

I have a strong belief that if we as responsible people take steps in the right direction, we might just end up with a whole new education system in India.

Posted By: MAHIMA, Pickyouropinion.com Intern - See more at: http://pickyouropinion.com

Friday 5 September 2014

TEACHERS – CANNOT THANK THEM ENOUGH

Teacher, the sound of this word is enough to bring back the countless memories I have had in my school life. All the lessons I have learnt from them at every stage. On the personal front I have done my schooling from both Kolkata (1^st to 10^th) and Ahmedabad (11^th and 12^th) hence has inculcated cultures of both east and west.

I am mentioning only about school because I believe that the rapport that a student develops with its teacher in the school level is the maximum when compared to college. It is the school where a child unknown to the cruel world enters with teary eyes and goes through a transformation which changes its life forever.

I am not going to mention the obvious, i.e. why is Teachers’ day celebrated and how is it celebrated. I will rather talk about what makes a teacher a constant source of inspiration and why the teacher- student relationship is the holiest one ever. A teacher is a teacher because it teaches you not only what is there in the textbook but the lessons of life. Lessons which make a child transform into a man. At every step wrong or right, a student will find the teacher by its side. Every teacher has its unique personality and lessons to teach. My days in Kolkata’s school, ST. Lawrence High School were great and helped me build the strongest base. Though I didn’t share a friendly relationship with my teachers but the strictness they had made me what I am today.

While on the contrary, the teachers in Ahmedabad, Amrita Vidyalayam were very friendly with us. Here is where I learnt to be confident, vocal and impromptu. Be confident but stay grounded. This was the school where I discovered my passion for writing. I got massive encouragement for every piece I wrote. It might have been very ordinary but it was always appreciated by my teachers. And of course, the values which I have inculcated are priceless.

So, the contrast between the teachings in Kolkata and Ahmedabad is distinct but both were essential in the making of what Karan Bhatt is right now. Not a big shot but a young, ambitious and confident man who is ready to face the cruel, gruesome world without reluctance. A teacher is indeed the best guide, friend and philosopher. Sometimes it takes the form of a father or mother too and cares for us like we are their own child. So this piece and everything I do in life, every successful moment, every confident interview I give and come out with high spirits, for that I thank each and every teacher.

I thank them from the bottom of my heart because without them I wouldn’t even have been able to convey my emotions. Happy Teacher’s Day!

KARAN, Pickyouropinion.com GURUJEE, Competition Intern - See more at: http://pickyouropinion.com

TEACHERS DAY

“A hundred years from now, it will not matter what kind of car I drove, what kind of house I lived in, how much money I had in the bank, but the world may be a better place because I made a difference in the life of a child.”- Forest Witchcraft

The above quote aptly portrays the philosophy of a teacher. Teachers play a significant role in the society because not only they educate us and make our country a better place to live but also their professional efforts affect the fate of the earth. After parents the second person who has a major influence on a child is the teacher. On an average one-fourth part of our life he/she plays the role of a knowledge imparting individual, motivating us towards success. And 5^th September is the day when we pay our gratitude to this selfless personality by celebrating Teacher’s Day in every educational institution throughout India.

Our country has been blessed with highly intellectual and informative teachers. Right from medieval times to today’s modern era there are several examples of eminent educators. Let’s discuss a few in chronological order starting from the great Chanakya. Chanakya or Kautilya is the first famous Indian scholar who was a professor of political science and economics at the Takshila University (in the Punjab province of Pakistan). He played an important role in establishing the first ever-recorded dynasty in India - the Maurya Empire.

In popular texts he found a worthy successor in Chandragupta Maurya and helped him overthrow King Dhana Nanda. He was chief advisor to both Chandragupta and his son Bindusara. Aryabhatta, the great mathematician and astronomer was the head of an educational institute at Pataliputra (Patna, Bihar), where he went for his advanced level studies. It is also believed Aryabhata was the principal head at Nalanda University later in his life. He is commonly known as the 'inventor of zero'.

Tagore has his legacy, which has lasted till date, to speak for him. He is one of the most revered figures in India.He reinvented the concept of 'gurukul' when he took teaching out of the confined walls of a classroom and a fully-formed school. He personally mentored students at Visva Bharti school, which is a university at Shantiniketan in Bengal. Pupils were taught under the trees. He invested even his Nobel Prize money along with his time to build and maintain the school.

And finally Dr S.Radhakrishnan, the first vice-president of independent India, the man whose birthday is celebrated as Teachers' Day in India.He began his teaching career at Madras Presidency College. He became a professor of Philosophy at the University of Mysore. He would frequently represent the University of Calcutta at international congresses in the UK and the US and even gave a lecture at Oxford on Comparative Religion. When some of his students asked him if they could celebrate his birthday he replied, "Instead of celebrating my birthday, it would be my proud privilege if 5 September is observed as Teachers' Day." And that’s how the tradition of teacher’s day started.

I guess now we all understand why Teachers day is given immense importance in India and holds a very close place to the heart. I hope this tradition continues to flourish for the coming generations too so that the concept of imparting knowledge is cherished throughout our lifetime and farther.

Nikhil, Pickyouropinion.com GURUJEE, Competition Intern - See more at: http://pickyouropinion.com

TEACHERS DAY

"One looks back with appreciation to the brilliant teachers, but with gratitude to those who touched our human feelings. The curriculum is so much necessary raw material, but warmth is the vital element for the growing plant and for the soul of the child."

I still remember the day when I first stepped into that new world, the schoool, I had no clue about what it held in store for me. As years passed, the once closed chapters of my life opened, absorbing me into them. Throughout the journey I met innumerable people, some were the amazing teachers who not only taught me the curriculum but much more that no one else could have taught me.

School days are indeed the best period of our life. We go through many emotions, many situations all throughout our school days. Not all memories are pleasant, but all of them are worth remembering throughout these years, our school emerged to be an essential part of our lives. It’s called the second home. This second home holds within itself a second family.

A family which is as important to us as our own family, sometimes even more. Our teachers are our second parents. They teach us as much as our real parents do. They help us unfold various lessons of life. They help us to learn how to trust people, how to evolve, and what we are meant for. These initial years of school life have given us truckloads of memories.

It has been a mesmerising journey. All thanks to the people who were a part of it, especially our respected dear teachers. I wish all this didn't have ended so soon. I wish I could reverse the hands of the clock and go back in time yet again and learn all those thing over and over again. I can trade my happiness, just to have those days again in my life.

A student and a teacher share a very precious relationship. Its not always that teacher teaches, sometimes there are things that a teacher learns from students, especially unity and sharing. The relationship a student and teacher share is very unique. A teacher loves her student so much that they have a right to scold them for their well being.

For a student, a teacher comes just after their parents, but for a teacher, all her students are her children.

"The dream begins with a teacher who believes in you, who tugs and pushes and leads you to the next plateau, sometimes poking you with a sharp stick called 'truth'.. "

Misha Sata, Pickyouropinion.com GURUJEE, Competition Intern - See more at: http://pickyouropinion.com