There are so many things for which I and my father are not on the same page. But there is one thing. That is education. If there is anything that has given me and my sibling the privilege that I have today is only because of the fact that my father clearly understood the importance of his own education and then ours. I clearly remember that during shifting from one rental house to another, the number of books to be shifted was the major concern. However small was the size of the room that we lived in, books occupied the major space there. The happiness that he had when I expressed my wish to read a book was much more compared to when I wanted a toy.
I am writing this as there is so much hatred being spread for students or should I say particularly for those students who know their rights and know how to speak. This is not very new in our country. Very easily the new generation is accused of being rude, disrespectful and outspoken. Getting education is blamed to have spoiled us. Not speaking what is on our mind or not questioning our elders is our patriarchal way of living. This is true that nobody in power likes to be questioned, as this act somehow dismiss their power. For example – a political spokesperson went on to say that “PM (you all know who) baap hai is desh ka”. Do you see the similarity that how you are not allowed to question your father in most of the Indian households and now the PM too? In Indian society it is so deeply imbibed that it is considered to be culturally wrong. In the name of culture our women have suffered throughout ages. They have naturally started accepting the duty of keep the honour and pride of the man/ head intact. Children even after getting education of Ph.D. level are considered to be not capable enough to take their own decision.
There can be two reasons for this. First that our elders know how poor is the quality of our education that it cannot prepare us for real life decision. The second reason could be that they enjoy the power over us so much that they won’t lose hold of us. They feel it to be their right. Of what use is our education, if our voices are dismissed like they are nothing. I know that my father does not like when I disagree with most of his point of views or decisions. But he does not dismiss it right away, because he trusts the education he provided me. Also it is because he is well educated and knows how education can transform an individual.
Education did transform me. From what I can recall as a child, I felt that going against the set norm or from how majority works is wrong. From being bullied at school to then speaking my mind education changed me a lot. I can recall how I was hated and for speaking up for those who were bullied at school. I used to get disheartened at that age, when I was called names for doing so. They called me “Mayawati” and assumed that I would join a political party. It is funny that how no political party actually stands up for those who are bullied. On this day when I look back, I feel extremely happy that my education did not just stop at getting graded report card but also made me a better human and gave me voice to speak for others and not just for myself.
