TURNING A BLIND EYE
The English daily with much history and name announced in jubilation that their survey has shown that the number of children in English medium Government schools have increased in Mumbai since last five years, the figures stood at about 35000. The report intended to convey that the priority of people is shifting from vernacular to English as it showed that the number of students in Marathi medium schools have declined by about 10,000 ;though it was a matter unreported that the number of students were still above 1 lakh way ahead of English! When the figures of other languages were observed closely it was interesting to see that the figures of Hindi was the highest above one lakh and to my surprise the urdu school goers was also above one lakh slightly behind Marathi. The report shows that how our proponents of English are blind to the existence of other Indian languages and in fact are insensitive. The longing to enrol one’s children in English medium schools among urban Indians is understandable because it is English which will fetch them jobs, but at the same time the fact that the vast majority is seeking education in its mother tongue should not be ignored. The largest daily in English should take note of the fact that it is not Marathi which is at number one but Hindi and Urdu and Hindi combined are above two lakhs. It is not to be ignored that the large number of Muslims of Mumbai are sending their children to Urdu medium schools and urdu therefore is still alive way ahead of English even if the English daily feels flattered on the rise of English. It is for the citizens to know the facts on ground and analyse other communities too in their survey, as they too are making progress.
मंगलवार, 25 मई 2010
गुरुवार, 20 मई 2010
BEARD AND THE SYMBOLIC APPEARANCE
‘BEARD’ AND THE SYMBOLIC APPEARANCE
Beard is a symbol of wisdom, renunciation ,carelessness ,austerity ,mourning ,authority and probably much more. In the recent times it has however gained significance in view of the prevailing terrorism and unfortunate identification of it with religious groups. Since my childhood I have held sporting of ‘Beard’ in high esteem as the photo-image of our Indian ‘Rishis’ ( sages) is deeply embedded – Valmiki, Vashist, Vishvamitra, Bharadvaj all had flowing Beard, this image was further strenthened during the dominant period of ‘Mahabharat’ and ‘Ramayan’ on TV. But, the image of all sages is with ‘Beard’ across the party! Line- Guru Nanak, Guru Govind, Moses,Christ, Ahura Mazda ( Parsi God ),. In the recent times barring the Pope most of the religious heads have beard including that of jews. I often wonder as to why, Buddha and Mahavir are shown clean shaven, Christ is shown with long hair and slight Beard. Realism dictates that during their time having long hair and Beard was rather compulsion than desire, but faith creates strange images and we the followers want our venerated leaders in a certain image and so they exist to satisfy our image of them. During our time in college when leftist leanings were wide spread many kept beard under the influence of Marx, Fidel Castro and Che Guevera, I think colleges are still enamoured by the revolutionary ideas though not action. In India I find the state of Kerala fancying the beard most and under Karl Marx complex !! French Beard is popular among urban elite. Though it looks good on a fair and slim face many sport it nevertheless. Our dear Bachhan is believed to be most attached to his beard that he refuses to cut it even for meaty roles. I think a beard is also grown to improve looks more particular by those having a weak chin as it makes the face a little more square, Naseeruddin Shah the famous cinema- theatre personality does hide his chin with his beard.
Beard is historically related to seafarers , our sailors are permitted to grow beard as part of Naval tradition. This privilege is for only Naval personnel and not extended to Army and Airforce. In fact originally one could grow beard but not moustache, later the rule was amended.
Certain professions are associated with sporting beard and among them it is accepted as normal to have beard -- Art film makers, poets, painters, professors, Ayurvedic Doctors ( Baba Ramdev ). The manner in which the beard is kept also conveys the ideology of a person. Some Sikhs keep full flowing beard whereas some merely maintain symbolically,it was interesting to see the full flowing beard of cricketers Amla ( South Africa ) and Mohamad Yusuf / Saeed Anwar ( Pakistan) it did convey their commitment to their religion and cricket?
Therefore it can be said that Beard is associated with ‘Mankind’ since ages , in some cases the meaning remains unchanged in some it is to convey definite ideology/association though silent and symbolic the meaning should not go unnoticed and therefore the reaction of our society changes .
Beard is a symbol of wisdom, renunciation ,carelessness ,austerity ,mourning ,authority and probably much more. In the recent times it has however gained significance in view of the prevailing terrorism and unfortunate identification of it with religious groups. Since my childhood I have held sporting of ‘Beard’ in high esteem as the photo-image of our Indian ‘Rishis’ ( sages) is deeply embedded – Valmiki, Vashist, Vishvamitra, Bharadvaj all had flowing Beard, this image was further strenthened during the dominant period of ‘Mahabharat’ and ‘Ramayan’ on TV. But, the image of all sages is with ‘Beard’ across the party! Line- Guru Nanak, Guru Govind, Moses,Christ, Ahura Mazda ( Parsi God ),. In the recent times barring the Pope most of the religious heads have beard including that of jews. I often wonder as to why, Buddha and Mahavir are shown clean shaven, Christ is shown with long hair and slight Beard. Realism dictates that during their time having long hair and Beard was rather compulsion than desire, but faith creates strange images and we the followers want our venerated leaders in a certain image and so they exist to satisfy our image of them. During our time in college when leftist leanings were wide spread many kept beard under the influence of Marx, Fidel Castro and Che Guevera, I think colleges are still enamoured by the revolutionary ideas though not action. In India I find the state of Kerala fancying the beard most and under Karl Marx complex !! French Beard is popular among urban elite. Though it looks good on a fair and slim face many sport it nevertheless. Our dear Bachhan is believed to be most attached to his beard that he refuses to cut it even for meaty roles. I think a beard is also grown to improve looks more particular by those having a weak chin as it makes the face a little more square, Naseeruddin Shah the famous cinema- theatre personality does hide his chin with his beard.
Beard is historically related to seafarers , our sailors are permitted to grow beard as part of Naval tradition. This privilege is for only Naval personnel and not extended to Army and Airforce. In fact originally one could grow beard but not moustache, later the rule was amended.
Certain professions are associated with sporting beard and among them it is accepted as normal to have beard -- Art film makers, poets, painters, professors, Ayurvedic Doctors ( Baba Ramdev ). The manner in which the beard is kept also conveys the ideology of a person. Some Sikhs keep full flowing beard whereas some merely maintain symbolically,it was interesting to see the full flowing beard of cricketers Amla ( South Africa ) and Mohamad Yusuf / Saeed Anwar ( Pakistan) it did convey their commitment to their religion and cricket?
Therefore it can be said that Beard is associated with ‘Mankind’ since ages , in some cases the meaning remains unchanged in some it is to convey definite ideology/association though silent and symbolic the meaning should not go unnoticed and therefore the reaction of our society changes .
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