Welcoming The Reforms to Embrace the Future of Education

 An Enriching Article on Reforms in Education System

Amid the Covid resurgence and the looming uncertainties of life and livelihoods, the Centre has decided to cancel class X CBSE Exams and postpone class XII examination casting a shadow on the myriad dreams of joining desired universities and the future plans of higher education. Despite being incredibly resilient throughout the year of despondence now the aspiring High School students are fed up when forced to be driven by the juggernaut of the global pandemic and systemic failure. Thousands of students are swinging between academic anxieties and the financial pressure of their families with the education system swamped completely for not having planned assessments and evaluation well in time. We could not develop our ‘Plan B’ with an innovative approach  to avoid such ramifications.

Examinations for class XII is a practical necessity as admissions to universities and higher education courses are aligned with the entrance examinations for the professional courses. However, the students are kept on tenterhooks as the pandemic has inveigled itself into the education spectrum and this has to be realized that we were not planned with an alternate mode of Virtual Assessment in order to bear the brunt of the second wave of Covid-19. We cannot deny the fact that we have to embrace the future of education by introducing technology to the process of assessments and evaluation also.

Last year when I was studying Postgraduate Certificate in Teaching of English from the English and Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad; our examinations were scheduled in the month of June-July but due to the coronavirus outbreak, in-person Examination-cum-Contact Program was cancelled but the university came up with Online Contact-cum-Examination Program. It was planned so effectively that none of the candidates lost their precious year and completed the course in the expected duration. Needless to say, meticulous planning and rigorous efforts were put in by all the professors at EFLU and they were incredible. All the question papers comprised analytical and application based questions so no chances of fraudulent activities or use of internet for writing the answers. In addition with, to ensure, no student is at disadvantage due to the pandemic, the University confirmed that if the participants were unable to attend the online examination they would be given another opportunity as and when feasible.

If CBSE could have planned an online assessment for class XII students, they would have been at ease and could prepare for other entrance examinations. As we all are aware many institutions and universities have already been in process of adopting digital exams with great success, it’s high time to opt for these strategies. With the virtual &hybrid model of education it is considered that in-person examinations are highly expensive and ineffective as the excessive manual data entry can be subjected to human error. The other benefits of online exam can be a substantial reduction in the paper used and time required to conduct and mark the exam. Many universities across the globe are conducting online exams such as the University of Bergen, the University of Agder and the University of Oslo where 75% of all exams are now conducted digitally. In the month of March, Imperial College London had successfully conducted the assessment of the sixth-year medicine undergraduates via two online exams.

 Interesting Read:  Where-Theres-Will-Theres-Way

The Much Needed Reforms In Education System

As we all know that Byju’s has purchased Aakash Educational Services for $1billion. The recent deal between Aakash and the edtech biggie Byju’s is a clear example of the emerging reforms in education sector of India which will help us witness the new hybrid model of education spreading in coaching centers also in our country.  There is no doubt that the future of education will be the hybrid model where the students will go to the centers only once or twice in a week to clear their doubts and rest of the days they will be studying at home through the online classes which will be saving their time and energy in commuting. As the institution was already working on online education model for past six-seven years, it took no time to transition all physical classrooms to virtual learning at the very moment lockdown was announced. Let's not forget that switching to online teaching for thousands of teachers is also one of the most important Teachings of 2020.

Hybrid Model of Education

Hybrid or blended learning is a method of teaching learning that combines both, physical classroom teaching with online activities to foster the individual and customized learning. With the hybrid model, Educational Institutions can easily set up the new exam pattern through online assessment platforms. There is a plethora of options available with the features of auto evaluation and rapid result generation. We know that various technological advancements have radically changed the teaching-learning environment today and the pandemic has given a momentum to this reform and hastened the use of technology in education; the changes we were expecting in coming ten years have now become an integral part of our day-to-day life.

Let’s welcome a new era of education that opens up new vistas of learning and dreaming. It will be available to a larger section of population by breaking the boundaries of geographic locations and time constraints. Students and professionals will be able to continue their study courses with their job commitments and other responsibilities.

 I always had a dream to study Child Psychology from one of the renowned universities of the US and now it seems that my dreams will soon get a flight!

Real Friends Are Strong Support System For A Happy Life

Friends Galore Yet Friendless: An Irony of Today’s Technology Mediated World

Watch my video for more insight: https://youtu.be/Real Friends

During one normal conversation, I randomly asked a friend of mine about the number of friends she has. The reply was ‘many’. I asked her to tell me the names of a few best friends, whom she can call in her distress, seek help from or confide them. She thought hard for some time and could hardly give me a single name. This is the irony of today’s world where people have an infinite list of friends on broad, shallow social media platforms like “Facebook”, “Twitter” and “Instagram” liking and commenting every post and photo they share but when they sit to count their real friends they hardly get one or two on the list or not even one.

Real Friends v/s Social Media Friends

We often boast upon the long list of friends on whom a good amount of time and emotions is squandered through the social networks but have we ever thought how healthy they are and out of them how many can we count on when we are in need? How many of them will lend their hands when you ask for? The quote, “I have everyone even though I am alone because everyone is not my only one” seems to hold a deeper truth in today’s technology mediated world which has brought people closer, yet metaphorically speaking, miles apart from each other’s heart.

This brings me to ask a question here, “Is the society becoming lonelier?”, “Are people walking alone despite surrounded by a crowd of people?”, “Has true friendship become a far cry today?” I think most of you will answer in “yes” as today a friendship hardly lasts forever. The harsh reality is that it has become more temporal and ephemeral. Sometimes even the person who you count on when you go through tough time shocks you by showing indifference towards you.

True friendship refers to the friends whom you can count on when you go through a tough time and share your pains, your secrets with them. But it seems we have lost trust in this relationship. We hesitate to open up even before the person whom we call a friend as we doubt that he/she might not keep our secrets and might breach our trust. Some people say that nowadays an enemy is more trustworthy than a friend as at least you know how far he/she can cause damage to you, but you never know how and when a friend is going to sabotage you.  Many people today suffer from this trauma that they have nobody to share their feelings with. We are surrounded by family members but these relations also many a times come with the strings attached. 

Why is it that we are not able to make true friends today? Simply throwing stones at the social media platforms would be wrong. We need to spend less energy on online interactions so as to save energy for in-person interactions. According to Robin Dunbar, an anthropologist and psychologist at the University of Oxford, Facebook has been successful in many ways because it enables us to keep track of people who otherwise would disappear. It brings people closer, makes them extend helping hand and gets friends reunited who have drifted apart during the course of time. However, he believes that no matter Facebook has been successful yet it cannot undermine the fact that face to face interactions can only result in strong friendship because it involves shared experiences.  Dunbar also stresses on the importance of touch in developing strong bonding and friendship. He believes, “Words are easy. But the way someone touches you, even casually, tells you more about what they’re thinking of you.”

Other than the virtual connections and relationships, upbringing of children in today’s competitive world also has a role to play here. From the very beginning, parents teach one-upmanship to their children. They teach them to be one step ahead of their friends in all respects. It’s hard for the parents to digest the friends having an edge over their own children. When a child helps his friend, parents often ask him if his friend has ever helped him in any way. Are we not giving our children the values of seeking our own benefit in friendship?  Such values bereave the children from the true friendship from the very beginning. In fact, there shouldn’t be any competition in true friendship. One must see a friend’s success as one's own success and have camaraderie to celebrate every moment of life together. In a true sense, friendship should function as a strong support system for both the partners and a good art of parenting can instill selfless friendship in children.

Thought Provoking Read: Lets-Simplify-Life

One must not confuse between friends and acquaintances and between true friends and sycophants.  A real friend will always have the grit to say wrong is wrong even when everyone is for it and right is right when others are against it.

There are No calculations in Friendship

A true and real friendship demands unconditional love, care, sacrifice and time. It is a two way street. It demands a lot of patience, understanding and sacrifices from our side too. We may have times when even a true friend will disappoint us yet we need to give a benefit of doubt to retain this precious relationship.  

Our values play a great role in friendship. A true friendship knows no calculations. A single true friend in your life weighs more in the balance compared to thousand people on the other side.  A true friend is the gem of all gems.

Oprah Winfrey has rightly said:

“Lots of people want to ride with you in the limo, But what you want is someone who will take the bus with you when the limo breaks down.”

Small Efforts Are Important To Bring Big Changes In Life

 The Effort is Important: No Matter Big or Small

Watch my video on this topic: https://youtu.be/_2uuT4kj2VU

When Ravana abducted Sita and held her captive in Ashok Vatika, a beautiful garden in his royal palace, Lord Rama decided to attack Lanka and release Sita from his prison. The enthusiasm and determination was high, but there was a huge ocean which had to be crossed by the army of Sugreeve which comprised all monkeys. The despicable demon was obstructing the entire army’s path and how to win over it was a difficult challenge for all. Finally a floating bridge was planned to be constructed with the help of Nal and Neel, who were cursed by a sage that nothing would drown in water if thrown by them. This curse turned into a boon when it came to build a bridge to conquer Lanka and reinforced the attempts being made to release Sita. All the animals started helping and brought stones and pieces of rocks and ramped up the construction of the bridge across the ocean. Lord Rama felt grateful and indebted to observe the Love and dedication of his entire army and suddenly he noticed that a tiny squirrel was working relentlessly to contribute in collecting stones and pebbles for the bridge. It was picking small pebbles in its mouth and arranging them near the boulders. Looking at the squirrel, a few animals started ridicule her by saying that her efforts were not required as it’s a big task and her enthusiasm and hard work could not make any difference so she should keep away or she would get crumpled to death. The squirrel started crying and then Rama intervened to show everyone how two boulders were connected by the pebbles put by the little squirrel; he further explained that no effort is big or small what matters the most is the intent and devotion. Lord Rama lovingly stroked the squirrel’s back to appreciate and acknowledge her work. The gentle stroke was imprinted on the back and marked three stripes and it is believed that since then the squirrels have stripes on their bodies as an embodiment of gratitude and affection from the divine itself.

We all can have such imprints of accomplishments, affection, and contentment if we develop a strong conviction in making the smallest efforts which eventually pave a bigger path to surmount the Obstacles and challenges in our lives.

Learn to Face Your Fears- 

Human life is a continuum of learning new things, accepting challenges and reinvigorating ourselves with the ability to tide over the obstacles and to sail smoothly in this voyage one has to learn how to face fears. Making small efforts to overcome fear can be an important emotional skill which helps you achieve bigger goals in life. Start avoiding doubts in your thought process because doubts give birth to fear. Having doubts about how something is going to happen opens the doors to unknown fears and that make us weak and vulnerable. Start practicing fearlessness by believing in yourself and empowering your soul through meditation and pranayam. Instill courage in yourself and stand up to face your fears; welcome crisis and adversities as platform to stir you from within and leapfrog over your weaknesses.

Develop Strong Interpersonal Skills- 

Good interpersonal skills play a pivotal role in attaining success and enriching life and one can strike a perfect and harmonious balance both at work and home environment. Let’s understand how our small efforts can bring a big change in our life; having the dream of gaining expertise overnight will only lead you to sorrow and pessimism so start practicing with small steps. Work on your listening skills first because if you absorb the ideas completely you will be able to deliver and respond in more fulfilled way. Take a small step ahead everyday to improve your interactive skills when you are well versed with your listening abilities. Try to talk to yourself for 10 minutes on the topics which you want to discuss with others and see the improvement in your communication skills. Gradually you will develop negotiation, persuasion and influencing skills which are indispensable for decision making and team-building.

Try Never to Stress- 

When we look around; everything seems to be so chaotic, disturbing and spinning out of control. Our personal and professional commitments keep us entangled in the ongoing turmoil and we often fall prey to stress, anxiety and depression. Medical research has proven that our immunity drops when we undergo mental stress, emotional pain or depression so it’s imperative to remain impervious to criticism, work pressure and setbacks in our life. Most of the times things that seem earth shattering seem miniscule and irrelevant in future so stop wasting your time and positivity on fleeting or ephemeral issues or events. Pressure and problems are inevitable but active management can save you from such stressful situations and make you resilient. Adapt good work and time management slowly and gradually to help you cope with stress.

Distance Yourself from Negativity- 

We all know the importance of positive vibes in our life then to we can’t escape negativity as humans are designed to harbour negativity more than positive attitude and enrichment. We must help ourselves by staying away from the arguments, sarcastic opinions and useless gossips that fill us with negativity. We shouldn’t waste our time in responding to petty issues and minor problems. Though ‘old habits die hard’ but if we want to bring a positive change in our attitude and way of life we have to make these small efforts to reinvent our personality. One of the ways to stay away from negativity is to ‘let it go’ and avoid indulging ourselves in the group of such people who are more inclined to talk negative things and judge others.

Enriching Read: Let's Simplify Life

 Your Dignity is Important- 

Our most important duty towards our existence is to love and respect our being. Start believing in the choices that you have made for yourself and count your self-worth. Have you ever given in just to please someone or drag a relationship that doesn’t respect you? If so; try to come out of it and accommodate yourself in your happy and healthy lifestyle. Each one of us has to draw a line so that the people around us cannot take us for granted and erode our very core. Keep your self esteem and dignity intact in both- personal or professional relationships and be true to yourself. These practices will certainly help you enjoy a life of respect and adoration from your near and dear ones.

Cultivate Reading as a Passion- 

Reading is always resourceful and when you are rich in resources you have less chances of getting hurt or humiliated. Start with a small resolution of reading 15 minutes daily, either a book or an article. Trust me it will Change your perspectives on various important things in life and build your intellect to become the controller of your thoughts, your happiness, your impulses and your emotions. Reading is pretty similar to yoga; both are difficult to practice, both don’t bring any change overnight but both can make you the happiest person if imbibed and practiced undeterred, uninterrupted.

It takes a drop to turn into an ocean, it takes the first small stride to reach a far-off destination and it takes a step up to climb the ladder of success. It’s truly said, “Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out.” So start your day with a small effort to make yourself happier than ever and a step closer to the purpose of your life; commit yourself to be just 0.5% better tomorrow than what you are today and feel the difference.

“Greatness can be achieved through small efforts made consistently and diligently.”

Kindness Is Not Just Giving But Empowering Living Beings

 Kindness Turns A Person Into A Human

Kindness is an attribute, a quality that can be inherited, acquired, and cultivated but can neither be taught nor forcefully inculcated in anyone. In this world of brutal crimes, selfish mindsets, and rampaging threats can we believe that just an iota of kindness is enough to make a big difference in many lives? Well, I know you must be thinking that at such difficult times, we can only expect others to be kind and generous towards us. How can I be kind to others when I have my own boat struggling desperately to survive and manage to sail from nowhere to nowhere?  But believe me it’s really magical. It’s magical to experience the divine through the acts of kindness; it’s blissful to see the positive changes and transformations in our fellow beings by our compassionate attitude towards them and it proves that we all have greatness within; we just need to unveil it, uncover it and embrace it in our day-to-day activities and approach.

During the ongoing Mahakumbh, 183 beggars were rounded up by Haridwar police in the past three months. While interrogating them the police came to know that many of them had lost their jobs due to the pandemic and were abandoned on streets with no source of survival. After a few sessions of counseling, 30 beggars agreed to work and  make a living for themselves. The Haridwar police came up with an idea and made arrangements for their training by a five-star hotel chef. As of now sixteen beggars have turned into new chefs and employed as cooks across police stations of Haridwar at a salary of Rs. 10,000-12,000. This inspiring and innovative step taken by the police set an example of empowering and transforming the deprived and underprivileged lives into meaningful existence through the act of kindness and compassion and proved the words of Amelia Earhert that read as, “A single act of kindness throws out roots in directions, and the roots spring up and make new trees.”

Interesting Reading : When Anguish Is Anticipated From All

As stated earlier, each one of us has the ability to cultivate kindness in our inner core but most of the times we overlook it in pursuit of attaining our materialistic or lofty goals and miss those thousands of opportunities to express kindness to the living beings around us.

How to Practice and Express Kindness

Amidst our bustling lives, the ongoing Pandemic and the previous annus horribilis, we tend to lose sight of those hands and hearts stretching out, seeking for Help, expecting our sympathy and compassion towards them; not always in materialistic terms; may be just our time, our attention or our words of care and affection to them. If we can be kind and generous towards them; that will also be an act of kindness and you never know just a few words of love can transform a life. We see people crying, we hear the stories of heinous crimes on daily basis; we witness the atrocities and injustices around the world and we know that these phenomena are beyond our control and we can’t stop them but a constant and conscious effort by each one can bring a bigger change to the society and eventually to the world. Kindness is contagious  and we always acknowledge (through the subconscious if not by the conscious) even a small amount of it when done to us and try to pass it forward when given an opportunity to do so. When we start doing the good at personal level and being kind to ourselves we take a step towards making this world a better place to live. Even our minimal kindness towards family members, friends, neighbours, colleagues or domestic help can add pearls of happiness and bliss to not just their lives but to ours also and enhances the peace of mind and restores our emotional equilibrium.

»       Meditation- Meditation is the best way to imbibe kindness so practise this affirmation every morning: I am kind to all and everyone is kind to me; The Almighty is the kindest to me. You will experience positive changes in your attitude and feel the warmth and affection of others as well as stronger relationships and contentment in your life.

»       Conversations and Connections- Feeling connected to our near and dear ones always instill a sense of care and compassion towards them and meaningful conversations play a vital role in strengthening these connections. An increased and strong connectivity develops clarity of thinking and galvanizes our senses to reconcile the old and lost relationships. So try to ramp up such positive conversations and feel connected to your people.

»       Acceptance for All- Being respectful to all and letting them have their rights to express their feelings and opinions make you kinder and more compassionate towards all life forms. When we accept others with their qualities and flaws we propitiate their conservative and indifferent core and spread love and generosity. On the contrary if we force people to change their behaviour and expect vociferously and we become cruel and emotionless which in turn invite the same aura for ourselves.

Being Kind Means Making a Stronger and Empowered Society - The noble act by the Haridwar police that empowered the beggars by giving them employment is an indication that kindness doesn’t mean just to fulfill the needs of the needy or facilitate the deprived ones; it also means to empower and strengthen them so that they can fight to ameliorate their living and become an equal part of the society. Kindness makes a person more humane and gifts an enriching and spiritually uplifted heart and soul to one’s existence. Let’s cultivate kindness and compassion as the essential attributes to our personality so that the mankind can fight against the adversities and shambolic disasters on it. We are kind when we cooperate and coordinate with others, we are kind when we lend our ears to someone who needs our attention; we are kind when we value others’ inputs in small tasks and we are the best when we practice and express kindness to all.

“Love and kindness are never wasted. They always make a difference. They bless the one who receives them, and they bless you, the giver.”

-Barbara De Angelis

So Be Kind, Not for Others; For Yourself

I hope you find this article interesting, enriching, and thought-provoking.