October 01, 2014
Isn’t
it preposterous that people are still evaluated by what they wear and not by
the skills they possess under their belt? Recently, a teacher in Chhattisgarh became
victim of bureaucratic hypocrisy and was insulted at a teachers’ felicitation
ceremony. He was overtly rebuked by one babu for attending the function in
casuals and was told that by doing so, he had rather insulted Governor who was the
host.
The
event was organised to felicitate 26 teachers including this victim, but
ironically the top official, instead of praising his works which bagged him the
honour, pulled him up for arriving in casuals.
Unfortunately,
the official did not even realise what he did after he finished his utterances.
There was no regret in his eyes after that episode. Instead, he looked around
in arrogance as if he had done a great job for which his minister and seniors
would appreciate him.
Now,
should an official, who himself reached to such a position after clearing civil
services exam, be stickler for clothing? Did he not learn in his training
period to respect all, especially the ones hailing from humble background? The
teacher, whom he insulted, hailed from a small village. Very rarely you will
see villagers draped in formals, although exceptions are everywhere. Even many
urbanites can’t make a difference between formal and casual.
And
is it not enough that a teacher, living in a remote village, is revolutionising
education sector through his dedicated efforts? Is it not possible that he
might be one of those who believe in ‘simple living, high thinking’ mantra and
is preaching the same to his students?
Even
the highly erudite and successful lot across the globe has overcome this
bourgeois mindset and preferred attending the so-called formal events in casuals.
Nobody will forget Steve Jobs – the Apple Inc co-founder – who always wore a
black mock turtleneck – in every event, let howsoever significant it might be.
The
list of cult-breakers is long and Chhattisgarh’s babu too might be au fait with
it, but he doesn’t want to be taught.
Chhattisgarh
is just 13-year-old State. Education sector is still growing here. Though there
is no dearth of fund for this sector, the government has much to do in rural
pockets. Still, a major challenge for it is to ensure availability of teachers
in ill-facilitated schools located in distant areas, especially in Maoist-hit
regions where none wants to go.
In
these adverse conditions, if some teachers keep alive the government’s hope of
taking light of education to every nook and corner of the State, then isn’t it a
prime responsibility of the officials, who prefer sitting in their air
conditioner rooms instead of trying to know the ground reality by visiting all
such places, to stop imposing their whims on the humble gurus and ensure providing
them with better education infrastructure?
