15 December 2013
Another fine day. It rained unexpectedly yesterday, like an unexpected bonus paid into the account.
There's golden sunshine and ever-increasing greenery around. The peaches in my orchard are ripening, with the golden colour increasing every day. But there are few takers, because the birds want them to be fully ripe and juicy. The quality of the fruits isn't so impressive because of the lack
of rains in the last few months. What's enjoyable is the sight of the branches bending down and touching the ground due to the weight of the ripening fruits.
South Africans and the entire world have been focussing on the final farewell to Mandela.
The wheel has come full circle, with Madiba's body arriving at his birthplace. Ram is constructing
his fifth nest ,and I don't know for what purpose. I don't see any residents coming to occupy
them. Perhaps he builds the nests just as a pastime. There's a mystery surrounding the nests.
As for Appu, there's nothing to do. Only eating and sleeping. We sat for a brief discussion.
Kuri
Hai,guys, how is the Sunday ?
Appu
Very nice, with golden sunshine and clean, fresh air.
Ram
A perfect day.
Kuri
An ideal day to bid farewell to Madiba.
Appu
Exactly. A fitting farewell.
Kuri
Most ideal day because he brought sunshine into the lives of millions of people.
Ram
Not only here, but all over the world.
Kuri
But, while paying tribute to Madiba, I'm worried about many things, especially about education.
Ram
What's the problem ?
Kuri
You know that education was the key issue that triggered the demise of apartheid. In 1976, the
black students of Soweto started an uprising against the imposition of Afrikaans as the medium
of instruction. Actually, it was an uprising against inferior education for black children.
Appu
What's its relevance today ?
Kuri
Its relevance is that the quality of education hasn't improved in the rural areas where poor
black people live. In the big cities, education is O.K,but in the rural schools, things aren't OK
Ram
What's the problem ?
Kuri
Very few students offer Mathematics, Physical Science, Computer Science etc. That's the
problem. So very few rural students qualify as doctors ,engineers, accountants etc. This
adversely affects the poor communities. For example, there are no hospitals in rural areas,and
the sick people need to be taken to a hospital 150-200 kms away for special treatment.
There's a shortage of specialists in cities also. There aren't enough accountants to audit the accounts
of municipalities and Government Departments. There aren't enough engineers to fix the roads and
the drainage problems. This is worrying. Even in Kerala, there's a shortage of doctors and specialists
to serve the poor people.
Appu
That's really alarming.
Kuri
You, the youth aren't doing your role in improving the quality of education. Some of you
are undisciplined. You arrive at school late, do not concentrate in the class, have no respect
for teachers,and spend most of your time on social networks.
Ram
No, no we are not of that sort.
Kuri
Maybe, but generally, many of the youth today have no direction. You see, without discipline,
nothing can be achieved .To make matters worse, many of you drink liquor, especially at the
weekends, don't you ?
Appu and Ram
Yes, we do.
Kuri.
There lies the problem. In Kerala also, we have the same problem. In Kerala, some youths are
addicted to alcohol, smoking, drugs, pan masala etc
Appu
What's pan masala?
Kuri
It's a useless, harmful substance chewed by millions of ignorant people in India, Pakistan etc
It causes cancer of the mouth .Nelson Mandela was a man of discipline, who followed a healthy lifestyle,
shunning alcohol and smoking, and exercised regularly. Some of the youth of today have the
bad habits, eat junk food, and don't engage in any physical activities. Worse yet, some of you
don't read books.
Appu
We shall try to improve.
Kuri
If you really love and respect Mandela, try to follow his example. I know, it's a difficult task, because he set the bar incredibly high, like Usain Bolt in the sprint events. Ordinary people
can't attain that level, but it's our obligation to try.
Appu
We'll try hard.
Kuri
Merely singing the praises of Madiba isn't enough. Do something good, and try to help others.
Otherwise our words would be hollow. It's always difficult to match words with deeds. The greatness of Madiba is rooted in his impeccable track record of matching his words with
deeds. We can honour Madiba by practising what we preach.
Appu and Ram
Sir, we will try to follow your advice.
Kuri
I'm not claiming that I'm perfect. Sometimes I waver in my decisions and go astray. But it's my
obligation to try hard to be true to myself.
Appu and Ram
We promise to do all that we can, to make a contribution to the society.
Kuri
I will be very happy if you stick to your words. Bye.
Appu and Ram
Bye. Have a nice Sunday.
Another fine day. It rained unexpectedly yesterday, like an unexpected bonus paid into the account.
There's golden sunshine and ever-increasing greenery around. The peaches in my orchard are ripening, with the golden colour increasing every day. But there are few takers, because the birds want them to be fully ripe and juicy. The quality of the fruits isn't so impressive because of the lack
of rains in the last few months. What's enjoyable is the sight of the branches bending down and touching the ground due to the weight of the ripening fruits.
South Africans and the entire world have been focussing on the final farewell to Mandela.
The wheel has come full circle, with Madiba's body arriving at his birthplace. Ram is constructing
his fifth nest ,and I don't know for what purpose. I don't see any residents coming to occupy
them. Perhaps he builds the nests just as a pastime. There's a mystery surrounding the nests.
As for Appu, there's nothing to do. Only eating and sleeping. We sat for a brief discussion.
Kuri
Hai,guys, how is the Sunday ?
Appu
Very nice, with golden sunshine and clean, fresh air.
Ram
A perfect day.
Kuri
An ideal day to bid farewell to Madiba.
Appu
Exactly. A fitting farewell.
Kuri
Most ideal day because he brought sunshine into the lives of millions of people.
Ram
Not only here, but all over the world.
Kuri
But, while paying tribute to Madiba, I'm worried about many things, especially about education.
Ram
What's the problem ?
Kuri
You know that education was the key issue that triggered the demise of apartheid. In 1976, the
black students of Soweto started an uprising against the imposition of Afrikaans as the medium
of instruction. Actually, it was an uprising against inferior education for black children.
Appu
What's its relevance today ?
Kuri
Its relevance is that the quality of education hasn't improved in the rural areas where poor
black people live. In the big cities, education is O.K,but in the rural schools, things aren't OK
Ram
What's the problem ?
Kuri
Very few students offer Mathematics, Physical Science, Computer Science etc. That's the
problem. So very few rural students qualify as doctors ,engineers, accountants etc. This
adversely affects the poor communities. For example, there are no hospitals in rural areas,and
the sick people need to be taken to a hospital 150-200 kms away for special treatment.
There's a shortage of specialists in cities also. There aren't enough accountants to audit the accounts
of municipalities and Government Departments. There aren't enough engineers to fix the roads and
the drainage problems. This is worrying. Even in Kerala, there's a shortage of doctors and specialists
to serve the poor people.
Appu
That's really alarming.
Kuri
You, the youth aren't doing your role in improving the quality of education. Some of you
are undisciplined. You arrive at school late, do not concentrate in the class, have no respect
for teachers,and spend most of your time on social networks.
Ram
No, no we are not of that sort.
Kuri
Maybe, but generally, many of the youth today have no direction. You see, without discipline,
nothing can be achieved .To make matters worse, many of you drink liquor, especially at the
weekends, don't you ?
Appu and Ram
Yes, we do.
Kuri.
There lies the problem. In Kerala also, we have the same problem. In Kerala, some youths are
addicted to alcohol, smoking, drugs, pan masala etc
Appu
What's pan masala?
Kuri
It's a useless, harmful substance chewed by millions of ignorant people in India, Pakistan etc
It causes cancer of the mouth .Nelson Mandela was a man of discipline, who followed a healthy lifestyle,
shunning alcohol and smoking, and exercised regularly. Some of the youth of today have the
bad habits, eat junk food, and don't engage in any physical activities. Worse yet, some of you
don't read books.
Appu
We shall try to improve.
Kuri
If you really love and respect Mandela, try to follow his example. I know, it's a difficult task, because he set the bar incredibly high, like Usain Bolt in the sprint events. Ordinary people
can't attain that level, but it's our obligation to try.
Appu
We'll try hard.
Kuri
Merely singing the praises of Madiba isn't enough. Do something good, and try to help others.
Otherwise our words would be hollow. It's always difficult to match words with deeds. The greatness of Madiba is rooted in his impeccable track record of matching his words with
deeds. We can honour Madiba by practising what we preach.
Appu and Ram
Sir, we will try to follow your advice.
Kuri
I'm not claiming that I'm perfect. Sometimes I waver in my decisions and go astray. But it's my
obligation to try hard to be true to myself.
Appu and Ram
We promise to do all that we can, to make a contribution to the society.
Kuri
I will be very happy if you stick to your words. Bye.
Appu and Ram
Bye. Have a nice Sunday.
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