While the world is running after MBA & engineering degrees, there is a huge chunk of Indian population unaware of their basic rights, who will, probably, for generations to come, follow the same rigmarole of ignorance and dependency.
And we are not talking about some earth shattering social issue here… we are talking about something as basic as ‘roti, kapda & makaan’. Education. Education holds the power to change one’s fortune, those little hands which should hold books and a smile over her face, has broom in her hands and sweat covered face.
Imagine that poor little girl in a village cleaning the house with those little hands just so that she can contribute to her family’s daily needs. For her, education is a mere word which she does not even know exists. Little does she realize that unless she breaks through this vicious cycle, her family will end up doing that forever. We, as educated and privileged citizens should strive to (in whatever capacity) eradicate illiteracy.
But in order to do that let us understand why education is necessary:
- Education broadens our horizons to give us a sense of how things work. This is important so that we can hold on to our own ground.
- Education leads to a civilized and structured society.
- Education leads to rational thinking
- Education reduces social and economic disparity
- Education results in technical advancements
- Education is also supposed to increase life expectancy
- Education leads to employment. And empowerment, especially amongst women
- Education leads to higher self esteem and better problem solving skills
- And more importantly, education is the outlet to climb out of poverty, exclusion, ignorance, oppression and war.
Education is not a need, it is a compulsion. Why? Education is only power that can transform a stone into a diamond. The innocence she should possess has been replaced by the need of earning money. The education right of such children have been crushed beneath the feet of rich and powerful. Without education, one is only surrounded by deep darkness which suppresses every ray of light that comes to brighten their world.
This cruel reality is something which we can’t escape, and there is an utter need of facing this reality and standing for the change, because for those poor children, just one ray of light is enough.
Have you all ever thought that we, the privileged, are the only ones who can light up their lives with just tiny effort. This is not our duty, not our right, this is just one word that has lost its meaning, and this is humanity.
Needless to mention, education is every citizen’s birth right. No matter what cast, culture, tradition he follows, education is something that binds one to the whole world.
Education, regardless of any caste, is FOR ALL and it is our responsibility to make sure that it reaches ALL.
Source: Sakshi Gupta, Vivekananda Institute of Professional Studies (VIPS), New Delhi NCR