Lonely lessons

 I have been teaching subject and predicate in both the English and Bengali languages today. During the course of the lesson, I reaffirmed what I've always believed: that children learn better when they have a peer group to reinforce that learning. As soon as my son joined my student, there was a palpable change of atmosphere in the room; the classroom became a common room and learning became entertaining, instead of a grim duty to be done under duress.

The ensuing study session was a success, the children had a stimulating quarter of an hour bouncing ideas and possibilities off each other. On the other side of the table sat I, a happy educator who felt she had just taught something meaningful and relevant. No wonder online learning is never comparable to a physical classroom; the former, despite our best and concerted efforts, shall sadly remain an exercise in lonesome lethargy.

Exams & Eligibility

I do not cope well with exams at my age. Neither do I look forward to interviews. The trauma of proving your worth in terms of knowledge is draining. 

Our recruitment system needs overhauling in some drastic manner. What's the point of having years of experience if that doesn't realistically translate into assessing one's eligibility in the profession of your choice?

 I don't envy anyone sitting for an exam or appearing for an interview. A few hours' worth of writing or a few minutes of speaking are not a pragmatic passcode for a field which seeks to enlighten amd not just educate.

What are the options, though? I might need to reflect on that for a bit.

Republics et al

 A wave of extreme patriotism in the form of relevant Bollywood songs blaring into our sleepy ears on R Day has been a pattern we resign ourselves to every year. Funnily enough, the feelings mutate into B town item numbers by evening, as if the localites have suddenly recovered from their euphoric hangover and need to belie it in some radically different avatar of expression.

On the other hand, most of us simply go back to having a relaxed Sundayish leisurely breakfast and thank heavens that the print media has dutifully brought us this day our morning alms, umm...alarms. The local club indulges a flag hoisting session with those religiously attending being rewarded with shingara and jilipi. 

We also pay homage to our Puritan upbringing by convincing our son that the Republic Day parade is THE thing to watch, slyly pretending he is being granted some extra TV time. Thus, we wash our hands of our duties to our hallowed Republic. 

Re-public, regarding the public, re- publicising our lack of real republican fervour in a consumer driven, EMI ridden rigmarole of a postmodern exist-tense.