Most of the times we talk about the future and sometimes about the present, but there are certain occasions when we think of History and that too of a particular person and also get a feeling that a person had played a decisive role in our lives.
Kamaraj, the leader who represented the Congress Party is one such person. He introduced free education, mid day meals for children from all background way back in the 1950's . This is one of the very strong reasons behind Tamil Nadu being a leading state in the field of education even today. My grand father I believe went only till 5th std or so, but he made sure that all his children went to High school and in some cases (my Dad) to college as well. My father grew up when Kamarajar was the Chief Minister of the state of Tamil Nadu and my grand father was from a humble background, he may not have afforded education for all his kids if it weren't for free education. If it weren't for education,my father might have never reached Chennai and may be I also woundn't be where I am currently.
Kamaraj's greatness is so true that even leaders from Opposition parties celebrate his birth day even today, infact Tamil Nadu's current CM Karunanidhi (who belongs to a non-congress party) makes it a point to bring in a new welfare scheme for the state every year on Kamaraj's birthday, even today on his 106th birthday the CM has announced that Bananas would be provided to those school children who don't take egg during their mid-day meals (Infact I believe Tamil Nadu is the only state in India to provide mid-day meals on all days and 3 eggs per week for School children).
Even my grand-mother who was not political at all always felt proud for one thing which she and the people of her district gave to Kamaraj. Kamaraj lost the election to the State Assembly which happened at the peak of the Anti-Hindi movement in Tamil Nadu during the 60's. Infact he lost in his own Home turf of Virudhnagar, soon after this loss he stood for elections in a by-poll in my parents native district, KanyaKumari district and won the by-poll. Most elderly people of this place are still proud of the fact.
He is the one who brought most of the Industries to the state, but when he died it is said that he had only six rupees. I am sure there is never going to be a leader like him again, I can only wish.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Saturday, July 5, 2008
School on Saturdays !!!
Today I happen to pass thru my old School, Don Bosco, Perambur (where I did my primary) and was shocked to see students at the School ! Shocked because while I used to study there we never had schools on Saturdays . Infact I used to love the fact that I did not have schools on Saturdays when almost all my friends from other Schools had to go to School !
When I changed Schools in my 6th standard to CTTE I had to undergo the pain of going to school on Saturdays , which did not make any sense to me. I never appreciated Schools on a Saturday , bcos they used to have just half a day which essentially meant some 4 periods, which put together would agregate some 3.5 hrs ... but bcos of this 3.5 hours at school, you end up waking up early (never a tough thing for me though !!) travel to your School, come back during the hot afternoon , these things drain your energy and you have little left for anything for the day.
But there were some good things as well , one we got to play cricket matches right after school till the evening (that is If we were lucky enough to get a place in the Ground ) , two some of our friends who had GFs would have had some more time to spend with them (unfortunately I never had any luck on this regard while at School ..... wait a minute .... even at College .. What a pity ? ) and three, some of our friends even dared to go to Movies after the half-a-day school (I have to accept that I never had the courage for that while at School ... infact I wanted to break that so badly, that I went for a movie on the very first Saturday after joining college :) )
But essentially I am against having Schools on a Saturday, bcos I think that children need more free time to be more creative and ofcourse they need the extra time for involving in activities other than studies ... Also I don't know what the School would achieve in that half a day of School when they have five full days with them !!!
And ofcourse one more good thing about having a School on a Saturday was Students were allowed to wear Color Dresses (yeah thats what we used to call any other dress other than the School uniforms !! ) ... But .. But .. But my School did not allow this either !!! so I had to wear black & white dress even on Saturdays !!!
When I changed Schools in my 6th standard to CTTE I had to undergo the pain of going to school on Saturdays , which did not make any sense to me. I never appreciated Schools on a Saturday , bcos they used to have just half a day which essentially meant some 4 periods, which put together would agregate some 3.5 hrs ... but bcos of this 3.5 hours at school, you end up waking up early (never a tough thing for me though !!) travel to your School, come back during the hot afternoon , these things drain your energy and you have little left for anything for the day.
But there were some good things as well , one we got to play cricket matches right after school till the evening (that is If we were lucky enough to get a place in the Ground ) , two some of our friends who had GFs would have had some more time to spend with them (unfortunately I never had any luck on this regard while at School ..... wait a minute .... even at College .. What a pity ? ) and three, some of our friends even dared to go to Movies after the half-a-day school (I have to accept that I never had the courage for that while at School ... infact I wanted to break that so badly, that I went for a movie on the very first Saturday after joining college :) )
But essentially I am against having Schools on a Saturday, bcos I think that children need more free time to be more creative and ofcourse they need the extra time for involving in activities other than studies ... Also I don't know what the School would achieve in that half a day of School when they have five full days with them !!!
And ofcourse one more good thing about having a School on a Saturday was Students were allowed to wear Color Dresses (yeah thats what we used to call any other dress other than the School uniforms !! ) ... But .. But .. But my School did not allow this either !!! so I had to wear black & white dress even on Saturdays !!!
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