Sunday 7 August 2011

Towards building a stronger India

Knowledge, which is meant to be shared with all, is being confined by boundaries created by us. There is no flow of culture or exchange of knowledge between the states of India. Disuse of knowledge has made it stagnate within certain groups of people. The need of the hour is to exchange the knowledge we have got. One way of doing this is through student exchange. While this will restart the flow of knowledge, it will also enable us to understand each other, which — in turn — would lead to integration of the society.
*Rahul Ramteke, XI-A, Ramjas School, Pusa Road
Culture and heritage are two words that are gradually losing their meaning in our so-called revolutionary world. The need of the hour is to preserve our heritage and culture. With technology advancing in giant strides, people are less concerned about the precious culture they have inherited. To conserve such a vast and exotic culture, it is imperative that students are exchanged between states. When students of the same age group from different states mingle with each other, it gives rise to an exchange of thoughts. The ultimate result would be awareness on our culture and heritage. In my opinion, such a step would increase respect for all kinds of cultures among students.
*Sparsh Bansal, XI-A, Ramjas School, Pusa Road
India is a country of diverse cultures and traditions. There is a lot of variety in these cultures, but can we say that we understand all of them? If no, then how can we create understanding among ourselves? To understand somebody, we must know him and his cultures. If we conduct student exchange programmes between states, we can stand a better chance of mixing our cultures and understanding each other — thereby creating a lifetime bond. We would then be truly united. Now, you may ask why we would want to understand cultures. My answer would be that by knowing about each other’s cultures, we would be able to understand each other better — leading to a more harmonious and safer India.
*Vineet, XI-A, Ramjas School, Pusa Road
We have all heard of foreign exchange programmes, where students travel abroad and not only gain confidence but also develop whole new personalities. If we look through the perspective of an exchange student, it is not easy to adapt oneself to a new environment. An exchange programme between states in a country can be very helpful in a situation like this. Students can be introduced to a new society, full of people who think differently. We live in a country crammed with different religions, cultures and castes, and it is this very aspect that make us what we are. Such exchange programmes will allow students belonging to different geographic areas understand each other in a more natural way. Students will have the opportunity to gain an insight into the historical and cultural make-up of different regions, and thus, improve communication channels.
*Kavya Singh, XII-A, Ramjas School, Pusa Road
“When the individual is good, the society becomes good. When the society becomes good, the nations become good, and when the nations become good, the world becomes good”
— Mahatma Gandhi
Today, we live in a harsh world where bomb blasts, massacres and unnecessary murders rule the roost. It is high time we filled these voids of cultural differences, which are the biggest reason for the bitter hatred and rivalry between nations and populations. Student exchange programmes can eradicate the barriers of caste, creed and religion. Once we begin amending the fundamental differences in the way we lead our lives, we — as a people — can begin to appreciate the fundamental similarities that transcend boundaries. People are essentially the same across the world. No matter what our religions or cultures stipulate, we value a strong sense of ethics, honesty, integrity and love for family. We celebrate festivals with loved ones, enjoy food and listen to music. We cry and we laugh, no matter what region we belong to. The sooner we realise how alike we really are, the better.
*Pooja Gautam, XII-A, Ramjas School, Pusa Road
In my view, there should be exchange programmes between states to enhance their educational experience as well as effect national integration. Such a programme would help strengthen the network between students, broaden their personal and educational perspectives, help them explore and appreciate different cultures, and eliminate fear and prejudice. Exchange programmes can also help people communicate with others effectively and create strong bonds between them.
*Shivani Rawat, IX-C, Salwan Public School, Gurgaon
According to me, there should be exchange programmes between schools from various states. It will provide teachers as well as students with an opportunity to understand how schools in other states — with different cultural backgrounds — function. As India is a vast country with diverse cultures, it is of great importance to develop a sense of respect for people from other states. Besides inculcating the spirit of tolerance and brotherhood in students, it will also promote national integration. Moreover, students and teachers will learn about good practices that are being followed by other schools in the fields of academic and extra-curricular activities. This can also help improve the teaching methodology of schools in India, and produce responsible students who are capable of turning our nation into a world leader.
*Anurag Choudhary, IX-C, Salwan Public School, Gurgaon
India is a country that has diverse cultures, religions and people. It’s a pity we — being Indians — haven’t done enough to know the people of our own country. Inter-state student exchange programmes can help children understand the different cultures and traditions that exist in our country. Also, it will expand our knowledge about places, languages and people. Trying out new things is an essential part of any student’s life. Schools in different states may have different boards. The methodology of classroom teaching is also different everywhere. We can get to know the way the teachers teach, and how classroom interactions take place, in other states. Besides, we will be able to make new — more different —friends. What more can one ask for?
*Kanika Sandal, X-A, Salwan Public School, Gurgaon
I am all for inter-state exchange programmes between schools. If something like that is done, students will get an opportunity to learn about each other’s history, customs, habits and culture. Face-to-face interactions will remove whatever wrong perceptions one has, and lead to a healthy, constructive environment. Moreover, programmes like these can help the students adjust to their new surroundings when they leave for higher studies in a different state or country. Such programmes result in over-round development of students through healthy bonding between students from different environs, and filling up of the gap between varied races, cultures and religions. Schools across India must encourage such programmes in the greater interests of education, and the nation as a whole.
*Tanya Gupta, IX-A, Salwan Public School, Gurgaon
India is a large country with a population accounting to about 1.21 billion. With such a huge population, isn’t it necessary for us to understand each other’s cultures and lives better — so we can build a nation that can compete with any power in the world? Inter-state exchange programmes are important for us, as a nation, to understand out identity. A student living in Delhi may not know much about Mumbai, its streets, its tourist spots and lifestyle. Such programmes can promote harmony and brotherhood among the people of India, and — more importantly — inculcate a feeling of unity among them.
*Ujjwal Beriwal, XI-C, St Mark’s Sr Sec School, Meera Bagh
Each person is unique and his uniqueness is something which makes him stand out. Today, if we see a person we can easily make out if he is a Punjabi, Bihari, Gujarati, or a Delhiite. But imagine how wonderful it would be if a Delhiite behaves like a Bihari and speaks Gujarati. A Marathi celebrating Lohri, Kashmiri eating idli-vada or a Punjabi doing Bharatnatyam. It sounds interesting and the only possible way to make it a reality is through student exchange programmes. Students are the future of any nation. They are the ones who can bridge gaps between states and beautify their bonds. The exchange programmes will make way for better understanding of each others culture. A Kashmiri student going to Kerala and staying with those students would enable him to understand and learn their culture and further when he returns he can spread the fragrance of South Indian culture in his land.
*Deepak Aggarwal, XI-A, Ramjas School, Pusa Road
In my opinion, there should be an inter- state exchange programmes so as to encourage students to understand other cultures better. This way the students will get a first- hand experience of ‘unity in diversity’. Students from Punjab should go to Assam, Assamese to Kashmir, Kashmiris to Karnataka and so on. This circle of understanding should be non- stop as it is one of the best ways to teach kids about our cultural diversity. It will help in developing a better cultural understanding and will teach kids to respect other cultures as well. Also, in today’s volatile times, when the slightest of misquotation or misunderstanding can provoke a major inter- cultural conflict, it becomes necessary to teach children about their nation’s diversity. Such exchange programmes will help students take pride in their country’s vibrant and diverse culture.
*Suraj Sharma, VII-C, Cambridge School, Indirapuram
In books, we read only about ideas, thoughts and experiences of different people. The knowledge thus acquired is theoretical. In day-to-day life, we cannot be successful with mere theoretical knowledge. We must also know about the habits, manners and ways of living of other persons. We can learn about others by coming in contact with them. Student exchange programmes between schools from various states will take us from the world of bookish knowledge to the world of practical knowledge and from the realm of imagination down to reality. It will be a good opportunity to visit new places, mix with people and know their customs. It will broaden one’s outlook. It will bring students of different cultures of the country nearer to one another, thus promoting cultural unity. It is therefore very apt to promote exchange programmes between schools from various states.
*Ankita Prasad, VII-A, Cambridge School, Indirapuram
Exchange programmes between schools from different states should be held and very often, as it changes the outlook of children towards their peers coming from various parts of the country. Since India is a large and diverse country reflecting various cultures, there’s a lot to imbibe from each part of the country for e.g. the colorful attires of different states, different languages, festivals etc. By having such exchange programmes, children can be made aware of the geographical and historical importance of all the states. They can be taken to archaeological sites and monuments of historical value. They can also learn different traditions and values. They can pay visits to legislative assemblies and know the financial position of that state. The surroundings near them could make them realize the cleanliness of the state and that how developed each state in India is. They can do many other things in simple inquisition which may make them the perfect future generation.
*Shubrata Shastry, VII-C, Cambridge School, Indirapuram
Today’s youth are dramatically different from the youth of the past. Styles, schooling, resistance and especially consequences have changed a lot. Youth of this generation are more interested in their own privacy, rather than enjoying their lives with others. Therefore, I strongly believe that there should be programmes between schools from various states so that students from different cultures can understand each other better and adapt themselves with others. India signifies a place of cultural heritage as well as diversity. Organising inter-state programmes, will bring together students from 28 states with different languages, cultures and different ways of living. On the whole, we can unite our young generation in this manner. Through these programmes, students would also be able to present their talent to other states which they otherwise wouldn’t had been able to because their fame would only be confined in the four walls of their schools. Thinking and views regarding other cultures, languages, religion and people would also change and they would develop a feeling of gratitude and respect towards them. “There is nothing either good or bad but thinking makes it so.” Therefore, I would like to conclude that, these programmes can develop overall personality of the students and help them face future challenges.

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