The birth of child has been always considered as a very auspicious occasion. Right from that time, the parents and other relatives start researching in to even the very minute things, his name, his education, and much more; all those things that can affect this small little life at any point in his future.
Education, in today’s time especially, has always been a very important concern for the parents. Nursery’s to primary schools to higher schools and then graduation with finally ending up in the job is what forms one of the major ingredients of one’s life. It never ends, as it continues throughout one’s lifetime. Its not that you need to be master in some particular field and leave the rest, as life cannot go on like that. Sociology, cultural aspects, spiritual thoughts, environmental education apart from the field of your specialization are some of the other areas of education that a child learns naturally while living in his family, clan relatives, community, at his work. The knowledge gets sharpen as he gets more exposure in the world and thus it continues to grow endlessly.
Looking back in to the rich past of the country, one can easily observe the various ups and downs that the education system of India has gone through. With the change in the rule over a territory, changed the education policies; sometimes taking the system in a positive direction while at other times, proved a curse to the society.
There are other private as well as state combined with private schools in the country, that though have fee structure entirely different from that of the government schools where the education is entirely free, but excel in providing the quality education to the children.
Indian schooling takes basically fourteen years from child’s lifetime, starting with the nursery classes at the age of around three years, where a child learns the basic alphabets of English and other tools of the basic subjects. The idea is to develop the capability of recognizing and understanding the things around the kids. As the student gets promoted to the higher classes, he comes to know about the various aspects of our society, the history - geography of the country, our constitution, the basic science that rules nature, a bit of algebra and much more. In the last two years of his schooling, a child is made to specialize in the field which he opts to take as his career. All this time, it’s not just the books that are included in the course curriculum to develop in him the skills of being a hard working child that believes to go deep in to the concept rather than becoming just a regurgitate, sports and other cultural activities are also added up in the day routine so that the refreshment along with the development of new skills may be developed in the child. The cultural activities may range from painting, gardening, dance, photography to Even after these obstacles, there are states like
Kerla in the country that have been able to achieve literacy rate as high as 95% to 98%. It is primarily because of the state’s education policies and individual’s effort that the state has been able to develop and keep a proper pace with time.
To conclude with, it can be said that although Indian Education System has few visible flaws, the curriculum of it so very complete and well defined that it develops a hard working and dedication in the student, which keeps him at much higher ranks when it comes to judging an Indian child on global level.
Monday, October 13, 2008
Friday, October 10, 2008
A Heaven in India- Golden temple
The Golden Temple of India
Have you ever seen a Golden Temple? no, just visit India.
I am often asked what my favorite sacred places are in the world, among the many hundreds I have visited. I could not choose one in particular, but included in the top ten would certainly be the Golden Temple. It is a place of both stupendous beauty and sublime peacefulness. Originally a small lake in the midst of a quiet forest, the site has been a meditation retreat for wandering mendicants and sages since deep antiquity. The Buddha is known to have spent time at this place in contemplation. Two thousand years after Buddha's time, another philosopher-saint came to live and meditate by the peaceful lake. This was Guru Nanak the founder of the Sikh religion. After the passing away of Guru Nanak, his disciples continued to frequent the site; over the centuries it became the primary sacred shrine of the Sikhs. The lake was enlarged and structurally contained during the leadership of the fourth Sikh Guru and during the leadership of the fifth Guru the Hari Mandir, or Temple of God was built. From the early 1600s to the mid 1700s the sixth through tenth Sikh Gurus were constantly involved in defending both their religion and their temple against Moslem armies. On numerous occasions the temple was destroyed by the Moslems, and each time was rebuilt more beautifully by the Sikhs. From 1767 onwards, the Sikhs became strong enough militarily to repulse invaders. Peace returned to the Hari Mandir.The temple's architecture draws on both Hindu and Moslem artistic styles yet represent a unique coevolution of the two. During the reign of Maharaja Ranjit Singh Hari Mandir was richly ornamented with marble sculptures, golden gilding, and large quantities of precious stones. Within the sanctuary, on a jewel-studded platform, lies the Adi Grantha, the sacred scripture of the Sikhs. This scripture is a collection of devotional poems, prayers, and hymns composed by the ten Sikh gurus and various Moslem and Hindu saints. Beginning early in the morning and lasting until long past sunset, these hymns are chanted to the exquisite accompaniment of flutes, drums, and stringed instruments. Echoing across the serene lake, this enchantingly beautiful music induces a delicate yet powerful state of trance in the pilgrims strolling leisurely around the marble concourse encircling the pool and temple. An underground spring feeds the sacred lake, and throughout the day and night pilgrims immerse themselves in the water, a symbolic cleansing of the soul rather than an actual bathing of the body. Next to the temple complex are enormous pilgrims' dormitories and dining halls where all persons, irrespective of race, religion, or gender, are lodged and fed for free.Amritsar, the original name of first the ancient lake, then the temple complex, and still later the surrounding city, means "pool of ambrosial nectar." Looking deeply into the origins of this word amrit, we find that it indicates a drink of the gods, a rare and magical substance that catalyzes euphoric states of consciousness and spiritual enlightenment. With this word we have a very clear example of the spirit, power, or energetic character of a particular place becoming encoded as an ancient geographical place name. The myth is not just a fairy tale. It reveals itself as a coded metaphor if we have the knowledge to read the code: The waters of Amritsar flowing into the lake of the Hari Mandir were long ago - and remain today - a bringer of peacefulness
Have you ever seen a Golden Temple? no, just visit India.
I am often asked what my favorite sacred places are in the world, among the many hundreds I have visited. I could not choose one in particular, but included in the top ten would certainly be the Golden Temple. It is a place of both stupendous beauty and sublime peacefulness. Originally a small lake in the midst of a quiet forest, the site has been a meditation retreat for wandering mendicants and sages since deep antiquity. The Buddha is known to have spent time at this place in contemplation. Two thousand years after Buddha's time, another philosopher-saint came to live and meditate by the peaceful lake. This was Guru Nanak the founder of the Sikh religion. After the passing away of Guru Nanak, his disciples continued to frequent the site; over the centuries it became the primary sacred shrine of the Sikhs. The lake was enlarged and structurally contained during the leadership of the fourth Sikh Guru and during the leadership of the fifth Guru the Hari Mandir, or Temple of God was built. From the early 1600s to the mid 1700s the sixth through tenth Sikh Gurus were constantly involved in defending both their religion and their temple against Moslem armies. On numerous occasions the temple was destroyed by the Moslems, and each time was rebuilt more beautifully by the Sikhs. From 1767 onwards, the Sikhs became strong enough militarily to repulse invaders. Peace returned to the Hari Mandir.The temple's architecture draws on both Hindu and Moslem artistic styles yet represent a unique coevolution of the two. During the reign of Maharaja Ranjit Singh Hari Mandir was richly ornamented with marble sculptures, golden gilding, and large quantities of precious stones. Within the sanctuary, on a jewel-studded platform, lies the Adi Grantha, the sacred scripture of the Sikhs. This scripture is a collection of devotional poems, prayers, and hymns composed by the ten Sikh gurus and various Moslem and Hindu saints. Beginning early in the morning and lasting until long past sunset, these hymns are chanted to the exquisite accompaniment of flutes, drums, and stringed instruments. Echoing across the serene lake, this enchantingly beautiful music induces a delicate yet powerful state of trance in the pilgrims strolling leisurely around the marble concourse encircling the pool and temple. An underground spring feeds the sacred lake, and throughout the day and night pilgrims immerse themselves in the water, a symbolic cleansing of the soul rather than an actual bathing of the body. Next to the temple complex are enormous pilgrims' dormitories and dining halls where all persons, irrespective of race, religion, or gender, are lodged and fed for free.Amritsar, the original name of first the ancient lake, then the temple complex, and still later the surrounding city, means "pool of ambrosial nectar." Looking deeply into the origins of this word amrit, we find that it indicates a drink of the gods, a rare and magical substance that catalyzes euphoric states of consciousness and spiritual enlightenment. With this word we have a very clear example of the spirit, power, or energetic character of a particular place becoming encoded as an ancient geographical place name. The myth is not just a fairy tale. It reveals itself as a coded metaphor if we have the knowledge to read the code: The waters of Amritsar flowing into the lake of the Hari Mandir were long ago - and remain today - a bringer of peacefulness
Wife-Warrantee, Girlfriend- Guarantee? A Hindu perspective.
“Wife-Warrantee means if you got a product (wife) and there is fault you just can repair it or modified it but you can not change it.
Girlfriend- Guarantee means a product (wife) is not suits you or you don’t like it you can replace it with a new one. “Old people say in my country.
I never heard that a man and woman can be partner not husband and wife. In India if you are living with someone you are supposed to be marry with him/her. When you getting up the particular marriage age,your parents select a bridegroom or bride for you. After that they engage marriage according to their customs.
In Hindu dharma, marriage is viewed as a sacrament and not a contract. Hindu marriage is a life-long commitment of one wife and one husband, and is the strongest social bond that takes place between a man and a woman.
Grahastha Ashram (the householder stage), the second of the four stages of life begins when a man and a woman marry and start a household. For a Hindu marriage is the only way to continue the family and thereby repay his debt to his/her ancestors.
In Hindu view, marriage is not a concession to human weakness, but a means for spiritual growth. Man and woman are soul mates who, through the institution of marriage, can direct the energy associated with their individual instincts and passion into the progress of their souls.
In arranged marriages, the bride and bridegroom are generally selected and chosen by parents or the elders. Being experienced and elderly people, they can perhaps better evaluate the merits of the partners. Left on their own, the boy and the girl, being young, can be led to more transitory rather than long lasting and valuable considerations.
This system of selection by the parents has been criticized because it has been seen that in many cases, parents seek matches on the basis of superior social status and more wealth which would add to their prestige, rather than compatibility on biological or psychological grounds. It is, therefore highly desirable that the boy and the girl should be consulted and the reasons for the selection of jeevansathi discussed with them.
Today the young boys and girls have a deep desire of a perfect marriage. In their would-be jeevansathi, the youngsters want a beautiful face, unmitigated love, devotion and fidelity and also camaraderie and complete self expression. The reality of marriage is not foreseen and when it fails, they put the blame on the parents instead of upon the excessive and naïve demands they make on the marriage.
The parents are morally bound to find mates for their children and the children are obliged to accept the parental choice. The marriage among Hindus is considered a union between two families rather than between two young people. However, two considerations are mostly followed-that the mates must be chosen outside the family and must be within the religion/caste. However, western culture has heavily influenced the youngsters and traditional customs are being ignored in the modern age.
But it still confuses me which is the better- Love marriage or arrange marriage. What you think?
Girlfriend- Guarantee means a product (wife) is not suits you or you don’t like it you can replace it with a new one. “Old people say in my country.
I never heard that a man and woman can be partner not husband and wife. In India if you are living with someone you are supposed to be marry with him/her. When you getting up the particular marriage age,your parents select a bridegroom or bride for you. After that they engage marriage according to their customs.
In Hindu dharma, marriage is viewed as a sacrament and not a contract. Hindu marriage is a life-long commitment of one wife and one husband, and is the strongest social bond that takes place between a man and a woman.
Grahastha Ashram (the householder stage), the second of the four stages of life begins when a man and a woman marry and start a household. For a Hindu marriage is the only way to continue the family and thereby repay his debt to his/her ancestors.
In Hindu view, marriage is not a concession to human weakness, but a means for spiritual growth. Man and woman are soul mates who, through the institution of marriage, can direct the energy associated with their individual instincts and passion into the progress of their souls.
In arranged marriages, the bride and bridegroom are generally selected and chosen by parents or the elders. Being experienced and elderly people, they can perhaps better evaluate the merits of the partners. Left on their own, the boy and the girl, being young, can be led to more transitory rather than long lasting and valuable considerations.
This system of selection by the parents has been criticized because it has been seen that in many cases, parents seek matches on the basis of superior social status and more wealth which would add to their prestige, rather than compatibility on biological or psychological grounds. It is, therefore highly desirable that the boy and the girl should be consulted and the reasons for the selection of jeevansathi discussed with them.
Today the young boys and girls have a deep desire of a perfect marriage. In their would-be jeevansathi, the youngsters want a beautiful face, unmitigated love, devotion and fidelity and also camaraderie and complete self expression. The reality of marriage is not foreseen and when it fails, they put the blame on the parents instead of upon the excessive and naïve demands they make on the marriage.
The parents are morally bound to find mates for their children and the children are obliged to accept the parental choice. The marriage among Hindus is considered a union between two families rather than between two young people. However, two considerations are mostly followed-that the mates must be chosen outside the family and must be within the religion/caste. However, western culture has heavily influenced the youngsters and traditional customs are being ignored in the modern age.
But it still confuses me which is the better- Love marriage or arrange marriage. What you think?
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