Thursday, January 10, 2013

carefree childhood


Light dance,
Innocent smile,
Stepping right inside,
Every third tile.

Bobbing that Puffy
Hair style, and laughing
With those missing teeth.

Evanescently flippant moods,
But an everlasting curiosity
About the little things in life.

 Filled inside with
Tender youth, this little
Seedling, is squinting at the
Bright, glaring, raw rays
Of the severe sun,
For the first time.

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

what ails India's education system?

hey everyone!
Here's my article dated 26/dec/12 as published in The new Indian express, though that's bit edited, here's the original.
P.S: Hope you have an extraordinary new year with new endeavors, and a lot of happiness!
so, the world didn't end after all! :)
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India's is quite known for it's education system all over the world but the problem is only that most of this 'good' quality education is provided in private schools, mostly in urban cities, and even these schools can do with some reforms. again education is not only at school but actually begins at home. So everywhere, in homes and schools there are some things that, if kept in mind, can secure a brighter future for India's youth, your children:
1.Break the tradition of rote learning. Practical experiments cannot be learnt through lab manuals, a language cannot be learnt through mugging it's rules, and moral science cannot be learnt by scoring full marks in it's exam. We have to break the traditional way of theoretical, textual learning and replace it with a more practical, manner of getting educated. To make students relate better to their subjects, do more activities, inculcate more projects and real life applications, most importantly in government schools.
2.people associate quality of education with the amount of things students learn before the graduate from school. what people fail to understand is that, it is not the amount the students learn that matters, but how well the student understands every topic. even if only a few, but important, topics are covered, the schools have to make sure that the message of the topic clearly gets through. real literacy can only be brought about with more realistic ways of teaching.
3. marks are given too much priority by parents. students these days, are seen learning, not for what they will gain from it to prepare for life, but to score more marks to keep in pace with their parents' expectations. parents should start encouraging the child, in not just the field related to marks and exams but in more important fields like social relationships, leadership, practical and communication skills.
4. many want their children to study well so that they can secure a wealthy future. but health is wealth. India has increasing obesity rates mainly because of the children spending too much time in front of the T.V or the textbook, which is not good for the overall development of the child. parents and teachers must realize the importance of an active healthy life, and start inculcating exercise and healthy eating habits in their children right from a young age. remember parents, this will also ensure your child's future happiness, because he will be happy, both with his money and with his body.
5. inculcate leadership. every person has an innate leader in them and that leader is capable of achieving great things. Encourage the child not only in what you want him to progress at. Instead, support the child's natural talents and help launch what he already has a knack for. also help every child realize his unique potential. don't demotivate.
6. don't expect too much. branding a child a guaranteed IITian the moment he is born just because you want him to be one won’t help. every child has his own inclinations and abilities, and every child cannot be the top ranker. besides, there are other fields that exist in the world apart from studies, like music, dance, writing, designing, sports etc. accept your child for who he is.
7. the government schools must improve their administration. We usually find that, in private schools, the teaching is more efficient. this is not because the teachers here get more salary. on the contrary, these teachers are most effective because they are constantly scrutinized by the private administration. however, in government schools, salary, regular work, holidays every other day, good pensions and everything is guaranteed. also, corruption is eating up about half the resources which were meant to benefit the kids. 

HOW TO HERD YOUR WILD TEEN


Hey guys, here's my latest article, just as published on women's web. check it out and let me know what you think!
Teenagers can sometimes be the most difficult things to handle on earth, which is for some part, a valid point. But the fact is also that every parent has to go through this stage. What many parents (and articles) overlook, though, is the fact that every teenager is the same child they once were and are the same adults they will one day, be.
Acceptance and understand can make the treacherous ocean of teenage years a smoother sail for both parents and adolescents. Perhaps, if some things were ruled out clearly, life would be made easier for many parents who are convinced that they are raising wild rebels. 
A teenager talks1. We are going through a transition. Adolescence is a time when we enter an entirely new arena, one hovering between the fantasy of childhood, and the daunting reality of adulthood. Teenage is a time when we are only planning our map and discovering new things, so that in another few years we will finally discover our own path. Parents have to understand this fact. Try not reaching conclusions about your teen’s character, for it is still constantly evolving. If you find this challenging, try reminding yourself of your own teenage years.
2. Don’t set expectations too high. Be realistic about what you want your child to achieve. Everyone has different potential and not everyone is a wunderkind. Don’t pressurize your teen to become something he doesn’t want to, or cannot. Importantly, don’t compare your kid with someone else, “why can’t you be like that friend of yours?” or “how can Aisha be so smart? She’s also 15!”
3. Respect our space. Teenage is a time when new cravings for freedom and discord for independence emerge. It is important to respect this desire and not doubt your child’s motives excessively.
4. If you want to keep watch, that’s all right. While it is true that teenagers need some autonomy, it is also equally vital that parents keep a note of their child’s activities. As this is a tricky period when adolescents can easily get carried away with wrong choices, we understand that parents need to be informed. But it is equally important that you do this policing through straightforward means. Sneaking, finding out through friends, spying secretly will only trigger rebellion and insurgence. Instead, ask direct questions, talk to your teenager about the perils of immoral activities and choices and confide your anxieties openly.
5. Be a friend, lose the doubt. Trust is a key relationship that has to be maintained throughout any relationship, especially in that between a parent and the kid. Constant skepticism will only lead to an uprising, withdrawal and retreat.
6. We are young, and wild and free. Or at least, this the time when we think that way. Allow fun time, a little bit of adventure, outing with friends, instead of being too restrictive, while at the same time ensuring we are doing our duties. Also, bonding, at family times, or setting up a fixed outing periodically can help teenagers and parents understand each other better.
7. Accept the generation gap. Twenty first century youth are definitely different, with all the facebook-ing and crazy blogging culture but there are still some commonalities too with your time, parties and loud music haven’t changed. But remember, we cannot be the same teenager you were, or the teenager that every one of our friends is. Every person is different and so is every generation.
8. Don’t forget that we love you. Whatever the quarrel, the anger and the row may be about; even teenagers are filled in the inside with a mushy heart.
Try mutual trust, shared relationship and understanding and you might realize we are really not wild, spoilt brats after all. We will be there for you in your older ages and we are attempting in every way, to understand things better and will one day, make you proud
http://www.womensweb.in/2013/01/teenager-talks-about-parenting/