I am not a film critic.
I am a teacher, with a decade's experience in dealing with students who just want to 'pass'. Rare is the student who loves the subject passionately, but when I do find such gems, the whole teaching-learning process gets transformed into a vital and uplifting exchange.
I was a student, who got 'good marks' in all subjects but always wanted to study 'only English Literature' since I was six-seven years old. I had to face a lot of flak when I abandoned science altogether after my I.C.S.E and chose a 'pure arts' option. At least, my Maa and Baba never questioned my choice. Thank God I was a girl, the pressure to conform is much more for boys (as in the Spouse's case - he spent two unhappy years studying science for his plus-two before coming back to his passion - Literature).
I am a mother, and I deeply, desperately want my daughters to study any subject they really really like and do some work that they enjoy. I am scared of the pressure to perform they will inevitably face and the comparisons that will challenge their individualities, and the race for money-car-club-jet-status that can so easily trip their free souls.
So, when I saw 3 Idiots, I kept feeling, "Yes! This is exactly how I feel. This is exactly what I always wanted to say about our quote-by-rote, madam-please-give-us-notes, madam-please-tell-us-the-IMP-questions, madam-will-this-help-me-to-get-35%, education system.
Thank you, Rajkumar Hirani, Aamir Khan and Vidhu Vinod Chopra, for showing us who the idiots really are.
Thursday, December 31, 2009
IZZ ALL WELL?
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14 comments:
despite all that we still produce genuises!
Absolutely right ! I too feel that pressurizing will never help and child to perform well.one of my cousin brothers was made to take up science in grad and he was interested in becoming a stage artist...he failed consecutively for 3 years before my uncle quit on him and let him take up his choice of career...
It was a lesson learnt by in our family then...I;'m glad the movie is made up like this..it really is a must watch for parents too :)
Sad but true. I have seen so many of my friends make a mess of their lives because of such choices in their academic career.
Same here ! I ran away from Physics. But as they say, every action has equal and opposite reaction. And i was in the middle of commerce and accounts !!!
:)
There is pressure on me to watch this movie with family [my great reluctance to spend time in movie halls is well known].
After reading your post, I feel that I should watch the movie.
Interesting post,
Vivek
Very true. Encouraging children to have faith in themselves is necessary.
Wishing you A VERY HAPPY AND PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR.
like u I too always wanted to study english and was lucky enough to be able to do so without any pressures at all.
my partner had to on the other hand stick to science even though he is so much better at political science and english...cause these wouldnt have been 'manly' enough subjects for the only boy in the house.
he still regrets succumbing to parental pressure.
Very well written. It is rare to see teachers expressing such thoughts.
I dint see the film. But after reading the post I got an overall review of the film. But now I feel that, the only way of students to get attention from teachers is to pretend as the ones craving for knowledge.
Bingo!
Now that should be the post that should provoke me to go watch the movie. Cant believe I havent watched it yet.. :(
Wondering who the idiots are now.. :-S
I agree the system has to change but not entirely...it is perfect for those, who are not really the education types, atleast they would have a degree, the only thing is that we need to provide resources and opportunities for those who want to do something. As a teacher I am sure you would have some ideas
Shahid
sooner or later we all realise our calling. and thats the truly wow moment. A very Happy New year to you and your family.
The other day I was speaking to the President of our Club - where Ritam learns tennis. So he was telling me about this boy who was going to represent the country in the Winter Olympics for ice skating - he's from the same club. And that the boy's father wants him to excel in tennis. So that invariably got us talking about Three idiots and how parents should let children do what they love. So he very proudly said that when his daughter said she wanted to do Arts he was taken aback. "Afterall, hamare zamane mein only dullards and those who were really bad in studies, took Arts." His wife said, "let her take up what she wants. We'll get her married once she is 21". The girl took Psychology hons, did well and is now heading the HR department of a MNC, "without doing an MBA" (said the proud father).
"So what did you study?" he next asked me. I very blandly said, Arts. You should have seen his face! He spluttered. Then when he got to know I had graduated from Presidency, he tried to make amends by saying, ofcourse that is a very prestigious college! :)
Anyway, Three Idiots is so relevant to all our lives!
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