Are We Really Literate? Part I

As I ponder upon the topic of this post, a question arises in my mind, which I would like to ask hereby:

What do you define a Literate as?

As always we would like to give an answer from a well known dictionary ‘Oxford’ or from an online portal.

Definition: To be able to read and write.

Only change is the constant thing in this world. I think most of you must have read this quote somewhere or heard it from someone or experienced it in your lifetime for that matter. Do you think now the time has arrived to change this definition given above of being ‘Literate’?

Most of you might not agree, as we all are educated with this definition in mind.

To give an example of Change, I would like to go off the track.

A decade or two back, how we defined basic necessities of a human being? I think as famously depicted by Manoj Kumar in his super hit film ‘Roti, Kapda aur Makaan’. In a sophisticated language let us call it as and also defined in our education system as: Food; Clothing; and Shelter. But, with changing face of times, basic necessity of a person’s life was redefined as: Food; Clothing; Shelter; Education; and Health.

Thanks to the advent of Liberalization (By Dr. Manmohan Singh in India for that matter) and Globalization, if you give it a thought, then you might think of again redefining the indispensable requisite of life as: Food; Clothing; Shelter; Education; Health; Electricity; Entertainment (Thanks to Bollywood, Hollywood, IPL, TV Serials and Gossip Material provided by Newspaper and News Channel also); Transportation (Including Public and Private both); and Communication (It includes: Internet, Mobile, and many more such devices or technologies which have made extremely difficult task seem as a child’s play).

So, we have made changes in the definition of the basic necessity of a person’s life.

Go back to the period of 50’s or for that matter even 80’s and 90’s. What were the relations between two persons in India prevalent at that time?

An answer to this would be: Husband – Wife; Brother – Sister; Father/Mother – Son/Daughter; Brother in law – Sister in law; Uncle/Aunt – Nephew/Niece; Grandfather/Grandmother – Grandson/Granddaughter; Friends and many more such sacred relations were shared between two people.

With times we have come across various new relationships or have defined them with the changing face of an era. To name a few: Girl Friend; Boy Friend; Ex – Girl Friend; Ex – Boy Friend; One Night Stand; Live in Relationships; Gay; and Lesbian.

I do agree with a quote ‘Old is Gold’. So, still the basic necessity of a person’s life would never misplace: Food; Clothing; and Shelter as the priority. Or for that matter, still the sanctity of relationships defined by our ancestors would never be diluted. But, evolution of a mankind is necessary for betterment and living a good life.

Coming back to point, let me describe with few examples, why I feel there should be change in the definition of: Literate.

Before giving these examples, I would like to be sincere with few things:

1) Whatever I am writing here are my personalized views; and opinions;

2) It is not at all meant to point someone’s or the other’s behavior, in the person who is related to me by some or the other mean;

3) The writing here equally applies to me also, as I am applying to generalized population of this country or world for that matter;

4) You are always welcome to criticize upon or comment upon any of my views over here.

We are a country which is manufacturing Engineers; Doctors; MBAs; Graduates; Post – Graduates or for that matter ‘Gadhe’ (As famously said by: Aamir Khan in his all time favorite movie: 3 Idiots).

To start with, let us ponder upon some basic learning’s of life and what we really do with them:

1) Respect Elders.

We do Respect our Parents; Grandparents; and Relatives. But, what about an elderly person whom we meet in a Metro; Bus; and Train? Do we readily agree to offer him/her our seat? On the other hand, we would like to make a good laugh of a person who is kind enough to offer his/her seat to the person who is requiring it more than him/her.

2) Respect; and Tolerate all Religions and Castes.

Do we allow or accept as a society: Love Marriages; Inter Caste Marriages; and Inter Religion Marriages, with an open mind?

I don’t think that there is any other better way of understanding new Culture; Traditions; Philosophies; and Values.

A perfect relationship doesn’t exist between persons having great similarities; it exists between those having a better understanding about their differences.

Do we make it a try to stop violence or division created on the grounds of Religion; and Caste?

3) Don’t throw Garbage on the road.

Imagine a fine evening with your friend. You just feel like having a Dairy Milk for him or her. The best ever food stuff, you can ever have in this world (I feel it).

After enjoying its heavenly taste, do we make a sincere effort for looking out a dust bin somewhere near of the shop, from where we bought it, to throw the wrapper. Can we think of keeping the wrapper in our pocket and throw it in a dust bin after reaching home?

Like this there are many things, for which we can make a sincere effort to throw them in a dust bin itself: Chocolate Wrapper; Use and Throw Paper materials; Plastic Bags; Use and Throw Plastic Bottles; etc.

Can we think of making mess in our home like this, I am sure we would not dare to.

4) Don’t Bribe.

Arey, bhaiya dekh lo na jara woh. File aage badha do, aapka kaam karta hoon na main.

Arey, parchi kyun phad rahe ho de raha hoon na main, kitne main ho jayega bolo.

These are the common tone of language we hear in Government Offices; Court Cases; Traffic Police; and many such other places.

5) Conserve Electricity and Water.

Do we really make an effort to even think about this?

To switch off light and fan at the place where it is not required at all.

I have personally seen many people, leaving the tap of water running wide open, while shaving beard or brushing teeth.

For this an excuse is given:

Arey, jitna use kar rahe hain, uska paise de rahe hain na toh kya problem hain. But, is it not wise to implement this quote over here: A penny saved is a penny gained.

(A post on this: A Question to be asked, 2nd June, 2010).

6) Be Patient.

Every day we are surrounded with worries; time bounded results; and many more such things which take our health to an extreme condition.

But, are we tolerant enough to understand one’s Emotions; and Feelings. To at least give it a try to listen to one’s Happiness or Sorrow’s of life.

Are we enduring enough today, to make others realize or get ourselves an understanding of the: Good and Bad things of the world.

We always feel it proud to quote to ourselves and others about: Thomas Alva Edison, who was successful in the invention of a bulb only after making 999 mistakes. But, are we patient enough to listen to our near and dear ones problems for a few second on that note.

7) Be Punctual.

This is the best learning which we do get at the right time of our molding years in childhood, and we are always late to adhere to this one. Kehte hain bhagwan ke ghar der hain andher nahi.

We always feel it proud to keep waiting someone for our arrival as if we are some celebrity who can never be on time because of his/her other priorities of life. But, if we are on the waiting side, we expect the other party to be on time.

This has become our habit to not to follow this learning of life and now the time has come in which our MBA classes teach about cultural aspects of various communities and countries, in which they write about INDIA as:

Indians are never on time.

Aren’t we ashamed of this, can’t we give it a try on our own personal front to write off this bad conception about us from the minds of the people around the world.

Are We Really Literate? Part II

8) Gender Equality.

As I am writing about this, most of the male readers might get annoyed with me, but, female readers, I can think of them becoming my fan.

Jokes apart, are we really interested even to know or think about this? I do agree with the fact, girls are now making out their way in a globalized world to work along with boys on every professional front possible.

A person is educated, so that he/she should be able to take own decisions of his/her life.

But, do they still have become an integral part in taking decisions on family matters? Are they even free enough today, to take their own decisions of life?

Why a girl after marriage has to bind herself with the customs, traditions, ways and rituals performed at her husband’s place? Why can’t we think of, to give her a chance to teach us a different and a better manner in which a ritual or an occasion is celebrated, which she has learnt for past around 24 – 25 years at her place? Why she has to leave her family name, only to get attached with our one?

I always feel proud then about a girl, who has that strength enough to leave behind her a surrounding in which she has been brought up. She has to part ways with her parents; friends; relatives only for a cause of marriage.

I don’t say ‘Ghar Jamai’ ban jao, but, can we for that matter show some support; respect; and love for a girl who has left behind her own family to make ours an integral part of her life.

Also, what about the aspirations of a girl, after her education? I don’t think today also there are people around who will allow their daughter – in – law or for that matter a husband would support a wife, to aspire for her dreams after marriage. Or is the education of a girl child limited only to get her married in a well settled family.

This trend is moving south in direction, but, that too only because of high standard of living conditions; and to manage the household expenses in metropolitan cities. Still a girl only has to live up to her in laws expectations, along with a job. Why can’t a guy think of helping out a girl in daily chores of a married life, to make it a perfect one?

Sacrifice of a career is always due on a girl, can a guy ever think of it, if a wife is having better career prospects than a husband. Killing of someone’s aspiration is a sin and it should not happen in anyone’s case, be it a girl or a guy.

9) Blind follow up of Traditions and Rituals.

This is not meant at all to hurt anyone’s emotions or feelings, which people have for their customs and traditions, around which a person’s life revolve from the day he/she starts to breath, till the end of journey on earth.

A person is pure in its form only at the instance he/she arrives in the world, making its way out of the womb of a mother. After that a name is attached to the person.

A name of a: Country; Region; Religion; Caste; Sub Caste; Family. A child who is not even aware of his/her existence, is bound to all the Traditions; Rituals; and Customs attached to the name with which it has to start life only to end with the same given name.

Every coin has two sides attached to it, goes a very old proverb. So, every given name must be having something Good and something Bad as an integral part of it. Do we then give an enough freedom to our highly qualified children to praise the Good and at the same time criticize the Bad things attached to the name, with which they are living?

It is said that: An education is imparted to a child for enabling him/her to think and understand the Good and Bad things of life. Do we really give that chance even, to a child for him/her to take the decision upon accepting the Excellent and discarding the Appalling attached to the given name of him/her (Then be it, Name of: Family; Sub Caste; Caste; Religion; Region; and Country)?

I would like to share herewith 2 instances of my life regarding this heading I am writing about:

1st Instance:

I was in 1st year of engineering, and my cousin’s wedding was scheduled in the same year.

Everything was going around smoothly in the marriage. When I saw a ritual, which really perturbed me and still it gives me a shiver in my body; about how can one think about it also, though it being a tradition.

It was about: Girl’s parents have to wash the feet of to be Son – in – Law.

I asked my Dad about this, when he told me, it being part of some ritual. I was plainly taken aback by this. I asked him a very simple question to which, I think every person in this world will be unanswerable if he/she agrees with this tradition or any such similar kind of custom happening in their Caste; Religion; likewise same happened with my Dad:

Can you ever in your weirdest dream also think of: Allowing your parents to wash your feet? Then how can in the name of tradition alone, a person can think of allowing someone else’s parents to wash one’s feet?

I had once a very good debate on this with one of my friend, who told me something like this:

Aisi kuch manyata (Belief) hain ke, aisa kuch karne se Swarag ki prapti hoti hain.

And that too, alone Girl’s parents are bound to abide this tradition. I am not here to play ‘Tit for Tat’, but, then Boy’s parents are not supposed to behave the same with to be Daughter – in – Law. Kya ladke ke Maa Baap ko swarag ki prapti nahi chahiye hoti hain kya? Then I will always pray for a Girl child, as I don’t want myself to land up into hell.

Aur shayad isi ko kehte hain: 100 chuhe khakar billi chali Haj ko.

By doing this alone we are assured of going to Heaven after end of our breath. Let alone then whatever might be the number of Sin we perform, which assures our entry to Hell.

2nd Instance:

I had a good discussion with a very great friend cum elder brother of mine, Rajesh Hendge. He explained me the blind follow up of traditions, in a very simple and subtle manner with a help of a story, which I would like to narrate hereby (In Hindi):

Ek gaon main, ek pujari raha karta tha. Uska naam tha: Harkishan. Harkishan ka kaam gaon ke Mandir main roj shaam ko havan karvana hota tha. Uske paas ek pyari billi bhi thi, jo usne bade laad pyaar se apne saath rakhi hui thi. Par uske saath ek dikat hua karti, woh jab bhi havan par baith ne jata, uski billi uske aas paas mandarane lagti. Pujari ko darr tha, ki kahi billi uchlte kudte hue kisi din havan main na gir jaye. Isliye usne is par upay dhundha aur us din ke baad se woh har roj havan ke samay billi ko rassi se ek kone main bandhkar, bade sukun se puja karne laga.

Din mahine saal bite, pujari ka ek din swarg waas ho gaya. Uske baad gaon ke mandir main havan karne ki jimedari, uske shishya: Raghu, par aa gayi. Raghu ko bhi pujari ki billi se bada lagav tha, aur woh uska har samay khayal rakhta. Par billi ke nathkat svabhav ke chalte, woh bhi use rassi se ek kone main bandhkar, sukun se puja karta.

Aise hi phir aur din mahine saal bite, billi ka bhi dehant ho gaya. Raghu ke budhepan ke chalte uski jagah ab uske bete: Chandan, ne le li.

Jab pehli baar Chandan mandir main havan karne baitha toh aas paas khade logon ne usse kaha: ‘Arey, tumne havan ko shuruvat kaise ki, pehle kisi billi ko rassi se toh bandhkar ek kone main khada karo, phir hi havan ho payega sahi dhang se’.

I think this story tells a lot about the topic I am discussing herewith, and no further explanation would be needed on.

To name a few more, prevalent in Indian society:

1) Manglik

A concept beautifully presented in: Munna Bhai Lage Raho.

2) Dowry

Today also, in Indian Matrimony Market, dissimilar degree holders are having different price tags.

Engineer: Rs. 10, 00,000;

MBA: Rs. 25 to 30, 00,000;

Doctor: Rs. 30 to 50, 00,000.

Again these degrees fetch more if you are an IIT/IIM/AIIMS pass out.

Parents of to be husband takes pride in these issues, but, my sincere opinion in this regard goes like this: A guy is getting sold in the market and I think a human value is always much more than this, right? So, the amount of Dowry you take will fix up a husband’s cost in the marriage market and will a husband get resold if any other daughter’s parent offers more than the initial investment cost or the valuation should be based upon depreciation cost analysis?

Like this there are many beliefs which are always in queue to arrive at specific time in a person’s life. Do we give enough freedom to a person, to use his/her reasoning power to accept or deny the practice?

Or is our analytical power now limited to only:

Writing Software Programs? Or

Making Business Deals? Or

Designing and Running a Machine with a 100% Efficiency? Or

Operating on a Bed Ridden Person?

Now a very basic question:

Were you able to read the matter written over here? I am very much sure; it would have taken less than 10 minutes of your very precious life. If I ask you to write the same stuff again (Don’t copy paste), I am pretty sure, many great thinkers would be living out there, who can script this in a more graceful approach.

So, by a very basic definition defined earlier, everyone is a Literate.

Now, just give it a reflection: Is really the reading and writing which matters to be called as Literate? Or is it the implementation of our learning with a sincere effort makes us a Literate in real sense?

It is not Reading and Writing of a Computer Manual which makes a person Computer Literate. It is only after he/she can practically work on Microsoft Office or for that matter at least can start and run computer for this or the other work.

A mere Reading and Writing of Examination papers won’t allow an engineer to be a Technical Literate about his/her subject. It is only when he/she is able to Read; Write; Design and; Understand the logic behind the structure built.

I personally feel then to define ‘Literate’ in a fresh approach as:

A person who is able to: Read; Write; Understand and Implement.

So, if next time you see someone or feel yourself disrespecting any basic learning of life, do ask yourself a question:

Are we really Literate?