DEAR MR Aamir Khan, I never thought I will live to see this day.Not even in my wildest of dreams I thought I would ever disagree with my idol. Sorry, Aamir, I love you and idolize you
but I hate to say, I disagree! Before I begin, let me confess, I loved 3 idiots and I must say,’Jahanpanah! Tussi great ho’! But it’s not your fault. Having never ever for, appeared for or studied in a professional college, it is understandable that a difference in perspective can exist.
We all know how tough it is to prepare for and crack pre-engineering and pre- medical and other all-India professional entrance examinations. But do you know how fulfilling it is for those who get through. Even those who don’t get through have satisfaction of trying, to say the least. Of course you know what is worse than failure? Knowing that you did not try full heartedly and did not give your best!
If one can’t take the pressure of carving a career for oneself, then that person obviously needs help. Don’t blame it on the curriculum. Even rote learning can take one up to a point. To reach higher, one needs to get into the act, understand and then apply that learning. Now if this is pressure then I don’t know how will they withstand the pressures are sure to come your way.
Dear AK, consider the life of a school teacher or clerk or salesperson who holds two jobs and saves to provide decent schooling and even professional coaching for his child so that one day he makes a career and has an economically stable life. And can you imagine their plight when the same child claims that he cannot take the pressure and would like to play the guitar, become a neo-hippie and sing songs to save the earth. And can you even perceive the bitterness and cynicism of that same guy a decade down the line when he takes a low brow job, comes to term with a life time of failure and economic instability. The issue here is, whether he cannot withstand pressure or he will not. It’s about taking the easy exit out, choosing whims and fancies over studies and hard work. So your chant ‘dil ki suno’ is a great argument for young people who would just like to avoid hard work and studies.
Aamir, sweetie, if every one thought of pressure then there would be no Einsteins and Newtons Van gouges and Aamir Khans.
Don’t you crave for perfection? Don’t Olympic atheletes and sports persons combat extreme pressure and strive for higher goals? We don’t see them complaining of pressure and demanding that gold standards be brought down as they can’t withstand pressure or failure. For every one win, there are hundreds of losers. Do they attempt suicide or does this deter them from trying again? The person who goes over the brink is one who unfortunately harbors suicidal tendencies and can kiss the noose even is a girl breaks her heart or India loses a cricket match. Such people obviously need help.
It’s not about the magnitude of pressure. Pressure is there in every aspect of life. It’s about how we handle life despite this pressure.
Rather than condemning higher and high pressure education, it would be a good idea to institute counselling in campus both for students and parents. Education reforms must continue and rote learning must be discouraged at any point. Career counselling is the need of the hour wherein the student may make informed choices and can explore different options. Meanwhile let the human spirit soar of which dear Aamir, you are a prime example.
Idiotically yours
Leaving you with a fav number from Toni Braxton
I believe I can fly
I believe I can touch the sky
Think about it every night and day
Spread my wings and fly away
I believe I can sour…