On Monologuing and Diagloguing

Monologuing has always been the trait of demagogues and charlatans. Democracy and humanism demand dialoguing. Even more democratic and feminine (as opposed to masculinism, the drive for domination of a person irrespective of her/his sex) is the sharing of ideas and feelings. Social media is amazing for advancing this dialoguing and sharing of ideas. Awakened people must be at guard against persons prisoners of their old habits who seek to pollute the space by seeking domination (psychological), and their monologuing, by their attempts of self perpetuation and patronisation while trying to dispose off ideas though mostly in the sense of appreciation. This media emerged in our times; we must be at guard against getting it hijacked by the people whose self perception is incongruent to democracy.

तुम ही ज्ञान हो तुम ही अंधकार हो

कोई इतना भी बड़ा नहीं हो सकता
कि तुमसे बड़ा हो जाए
कोई इतना भी छोटा नहीं हो सकता
कि तुमसे छोटा हो जाए
तुम नहीं जानते कि तुम क्या हो
तुम सब कुछ हो
और तुम कुछ भी नहीं हो
तुम ही ब्रह्माण्ड हो
तुम ही हो कण लघु
तुम ही आदि हो
तुम ही अनादि हो
तुम अंत हो
तुम ही अनंत हो
तुम ही सीमा तुम ही असीम हो
तुम ही आकार तुम ही निराकार हो
तुम ही भंगुर तुम ही सनातन हो
अस्तित्व का यह अगम अगोचर अज्ञेय विस्तार
है तुम्हारा ही विराट रूप
यह सृष्टि भी तुम ही हो
तुम्हारे ही साथ यह उत्पन्न
और तुम्हारे साथ ही हो जाएगी यह नष्ट
तुम नष्ट भी नहीं होते
तुम अजन्मा भी हो
इसलिए यह सब कुछ भी वैसा ही है
नश्वर ही शाश्वत है
शाश्वत ही नश्वर है
तुम नश्वरता में हो शाश्वत
और हो शाश्वत नश्वर भी
तुम सब कुछ समझते भी हो
और कुछ भी नहीं समझते
तुम ही ज्ञान हो तुम ही अंधकार हो

- नीरज कुमार झा

Thinking Education

The world is in great flux. The global revolution, which is under-way, would far overshadow all previous ones and even the great wars in its consequences. It would be so even if they are put together. The scope of changes is going to be so vast and deep that it cannot even be imagined at this stage. This is despite the fact that during these couple of decades the world is already changed beyond description. Stating this obvious has a context here. For us, the Indians, forming the largest democracy, the imperative is to visualise the unfolding changes and not only prepare accordingly for all these but also to lead humanity out of strife and guide them towards sustainable prosperity. But the very arena where these things can be worked out is in serious disarray. Yes, I am talking about the whole paraphernalia of education in our country. I am not competent to talk about the numbered institutions of excellence in the country but I am sure in saying that they are like few oases in the vast desert what our educational reality is. Even these few and discrete institutions do not stand global marking for excellence. At this stage not only we need to mobilise the best talents available in the country but also need to invite or hire the best minds from across the world to build up a top order of education and a benchmark for the rest of the world. This would not happen by itself or merely by appealing to powers that be, but what is needed is to make it a general public demand. This can be done if the educational institutions put up concerted efforts. This does not require extra resources or efforts; they can do this only by orienting their routine work. Through seminars, workshops, interacting with the media and by using social media and most importantly by talking to their students they can build up the momentum by which the critical issue of education for national rejuvenation becomes a national priority. The teachers from universities to preparatory schools must put their mind together for bringing the issue of education at the top of social agenda for the sake of humanity, for the sake of the country and for the sake of their fellow beings. 

- Niraj Kumar Jha