The Infanticide of Dreams

Well, it' s been a really long time since I have decided to write something that is on the top of my mind. I must concede that my current job has seriously plundered whatever penning skills I acquired over the years. Though I try to supplement this void with some fiction titles, it is hardly as gratifying as the tiny triumphs that one can get in inditing his views.

So cutting short my sob story, lets jump to the point. Today, after I finished my voluntary teaching at a nearby government school I had this reverberating slogan "Each one, Teach one" running in loops in my head. Not sure whether it was due to the contained smiles of the young kids or the conscience trail in my head that me made to ponder about this depth of this innocuous tiny rime. It is unimaginable how much a tiny effort by each one of us can make a difference to the lives of these young aspiring kids who have been deprived of the basic rights to free opportunities. Yes, it is correct what I just said, they have indeed no equal opportunities when compared to english speaking urban bred children of professionals. I remember once arguing with my socialist friend that the greatest evil in a system is not the divide between the rich and the poor or the monopoly by the plutocrats but the denial to equal opportunity. The society must ensure that each individual must be given an equal chance and no less. So when someone says that one day he wants to lead this country, the words do carry a meaning. Coming back to the school, majority of the kids here spend most of their time doing household chores and the rest of it loitering in the streets. Their lesser educated parents carry on with a belief that sending their kids to school will ensure a better future for them. But tell me how will the 12 yr old Shivaraj who cannot even spell the word 'doctor' will ever achieve his dream of becoming a doctor? He will most likely quit school after he flunks the tenth grade and will occupy the shoes of his ageing father running his paan shop. Tell me what society is this where even dreams become a near perpetual sin ? What has the kid done wrong to deserve a life like this ? The principals of the society come crumbling down in the case of young Shivaraj who is content smiling all through the two hours of the class. So the imminent question is: How do we provide an equal chance for this kid to chase his dream ? How will he ever compete with the scores of english educated rich kids with their fancy science projects and extra curriculars ? No , I am not talking about the intellectual abilities of Shivaraj, never mind if he realises that he was never meant to be a doctor, but we should atleast give him that opportunity to decide. This infanticide of dreams is what I am pointing to. How will he ever know about the Harvard medical school or our own AIIMS which he may hope to join ? Sitting in the shabby classroom, little does Shivaraj know that every passing moment is taking him closer to a life of never ending misery.

So who is responsible for every kid that stays back from school ? Its you, its me and each one of us. All these young souls needs is right guidance, which can let them know that their dreams can be turned into a reality. Is it too much to ask for? So lets make a pledge today that each one of us will teach atleast one of them.