'The Universal Medicine'

The year 2007, as it is about to end, is witnessing most disturbing events in the world's most populous country. While the case of protection of democratic rights which led to police firing in Nandigram is under criminal investigation, the Wednesday (12th) blast on Dibrugarh - Delhi Rajadhani Express points a needle of suspicion at adivasi outfit, and tennis fame Sania Mirza is in the eye of the storm over shooting in an advertisement film, what is cruel and most shocking is the shooting incident in a Gurgaon school by two school mates killing a class VIII student.

The tragedy had happened in an educational institution. Swami Vivekananda says that education is the universal medicine for all evils in the world. Education is the panacea.The goal of mankind is knowledge. The aim of education is not of facts but of values. Education stands for formation of character.

The first rule of education, in all lands is never to say anything offensive to anyone. Education is a progressive discovery of ignorance. Knowledge is not given but earned and character is not granted but cultivated. A teacher who is attempting to teach without inspiring the students is only hammering a cold iron.

No one was ever really taught by another. Each of us has to teach himself. The external teacher offers only the suggestions which rouses the internal teacher to work, to understand things. Young students should be taught to assimilate good ideas and practise them to build character than to memorize facts and figures. Education is the manifestation of perfection already in man. Education made us what we are.

It will be pertinent to refer here what Abraham Lincoln , the 16th President of USA, says:-

A student needs to be taught that for every scoundrel, there is a hero; that for every selfish politician there is a dedicated leader.

Teach the boys that for every enemy there is a friend.

Teach him that a dollar earned is far more value than five found.

Teach him to learn to lose and also enjoy winning. Steer him away from envy if you can.

Teach the students the secret of quiet laughter.

Students should be taught in school that it is far more honorable to fail than to cheat.

Lincoln advocates that students should learn to be gentle with gentle people and tough with tough. Try to give him the strength not to follow the crowd when every one is getting into the band wagon. Teach him there is no shame in tears.

Tech him gently, but do not cuddle him, because only the test of fire makes fine steel.

Lincoln wants the students to have sublime faith in his creator and faith in himself too, because then he will always have faith in mankind.

It is totally disheartening to notice the educated and the executive class falling prey to darker vices. These hard facts force us stop and think a while. Yes, education centered on mere book-learning and bread-winning can not be the panacea or the universal medicine.

True that today's youngsters are tomorrow's citizens, but it is equally true that the quality of the future citizens depends on today's elders, teachers and the type of education they receive.