My childhood memories fondly recall the voracious reading of story books and especially 'Amar Chitra Katha' which still presents the central characters in a very engrossing way to the child. One such story on Chanakya, fascinated me. I, as a parent also ensured that my daughter got to read a series of books by the same publication house. Their illustrations and story telling has a profound impact on the young readers imagination that ensures development of good vocabulary and thought orientation.
With these memories and an inclination towards teaching, I always have great respect for Chanakya was an ancient Indian teacher, philosopher, economist, jurist and royal advisor. Chanakya assisted the first Mauryan emperor Chandragupta in his rise to power. He is widely credited for having played an important role in the establishment of the Maurya Empire. His recognition as a teacher comes from the fact that he chiseled a young simple boy into a great king. At the same time, due admiration for the boy who displayed his potential and ruled just and wise as a king.
This situation demands a thought for three things : 1) the teacher 2) the student and 3 ) the situation. The exceptional qualities displayed by the teacher in identifying the boy with potential was the first in a series to writing the history. His next task of channeling the young mind and training the body and soul for challenges and difficulties; proved that he had to plan and get things done with an iron hand and wisdom. On the part of the student, he had to get his potential and strength channelized in a way to achieve greatness and as well as strive for a position that he was not his birth right for a patriarchal society. The greatness of the two men may probably as a result of the situation prevailing during the era which eagerly welcomed the change brought about by the two.
Now consider the modern society. Are parents not the first teachers to their child ? Are they not responsible in developing their child's potential or abilities ? A parent may not be as great a teacher as Chanakya but let us also not forget that children learn from parents. The fast paced life has put a dent in this parental responsibility. The pressures of pursuing career, managing home, keeping up with social life etc has ensured that kids become independent at a very young age and the lack of a role model further ensures that they remain ensconced with electronic gadgets or a cocoon of their own. In turn parents lack the mindset to channelize the young mind to achieve greatness. The whole idea of story telling about role models through generations gets lost somewhere in the pressures of the modern world. What we see today is a world that needs to tackle so many global issues related to environment, pollution, health etc but who would want to give away their worldly luxuries to be in tune with the nature? Let us not forget that mother nature is our greatest teacher only if we are an equally disciplined student.
Entrepreneurs are finding solutions to garbage and cleaning but as a parent, tell me - would you want your child to think about garbage ? What nature needs is not what we want. Our education system provides literacy to masses but needs to educate the classes to achieve great feats. The third aspect ie situation is what demands and identifies the needs which along with the first two ie student and teacher will provide a successful solution. A parent has a lot of obligations towards the family and the most important amongst them is to develop or let a good teacher develop the young generation.
Chanakya was always known as a great teacher and a guru to Chandragupt but not as a parent to his exceptional disciple. Their success is in fact due to them being a true teacher and a true disciple. Indeed, it is very difficult to identify and promote such greatness without the pitfalls of societal or political interference. I strongly believe that a situation will prevail to ensure the birth of a right teacher and a right student that will make a difference.
Now consider the modern society. Are parents not the first teachers to their child ? Are they not responsible in developing their child's potential or abilities ? A parent may not be as great a teacher as Chanakya but let us also not forget that children learn from parents. The fast paced life has put a dent in this parental responsibility. The pressures of pursuing career, managing home, keeping up with social life etc has ensured that kids become independent at a very young age and the lack of a role model further ensures that they remain ensconced with electronic gadgets or a cocoon of their own. In turn parents lack the mindset to channelize the young mind to achieve greatness. The whole idea of story telling about role models through generations gets lost somewhere in the pressures of the modern world. What we see today is a world that needs to tackle so many global issues related to environment, pollution, health etc but who would want to give away their worldly luxuries to be in tune with the nature? Let us not forget that mother nature is our greatest teacher only if we are an equally disciplined student.
Entrepreneurs are finding solutions to garbage and cleaning but as a parent, tell me - would you want your child to think about garbage ? What nature needs is not what we want. Our education system provides literacy to masses but needs to educate the classes to achieve great feats. The third aspect ie situation is what demands and identifies the needs which along with the first two ie student and teacher will provide a successful solution. A parent has a lot of obligations towards the family and the most important amongst them is to develop or let a good teacher develop the young generation.
Chanakya was always known as a great teacher and a guru to Chandragupt but not as a parent to his exceptional disciple. Their success is in fact due to them being a true teacher and a true disciple. Indeed, it is very difficult to identify and promote such greatness without the pitfalls of societal or political interference. I strongly believe that a situation will prevail to ensure the birth of a right teacher and a right student that will make a difference.
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