In the context of modern education system, failure is a taboo word. Society disowns failure, strips it of any respect and provides absolutely no incentive to fail.
Success after all is what we all yearn for....we glorify our victories, share our achievements and do everything in our power to project ourselves as winners.
No wonder then given a choice everyone chooses to hear people speaking about their success than their failure.
But lets take a step back and ask some questions.
Is success really that worthy?
Is failing really such a shame?
Can success or failure ever exist in isolation?
I'll not answer these questions here...there is no single answer actually.
What I'll do is share some of the simple stories I've been lucky enough to witness and let you script the climax of the same.
The Race of Life
Raghu and Vishnu were the best runners in the school. Fierce competitor as they were, there was very little to differentiate between them. They were also good friends having represented their School at state level for over three years.
When the sports day arrived, everyone began discussing on the possible winner. After all the respective classes that the two represented were also fighting for the championship, the one leading the other by mere 5 points. Clearly anyone winning the last race of the year would emerge as the winner.
As the race preparations began, the atmosphere was charged with names of Raghu and Vishnu. It was one of those rare occasions when the whole class, Girls and Boys, Friends and Foes, stands united to inspire their warriors.
The class teachers too could not resist the intense pressure of the situation. They took their respective athlete aside and spoke some words of wisdom, motivating them to bring the trophy home.
For Raghu and Vishnu, who until now took the race as just another one, the context shifted completely. It wasn't one more race anymore, it was the race of their life. A win here and their name will be etched on the School Hall of Fame forever.
This was the Race for Eteranl Fame.
All athletes took their position.
The Refree signaled for silence and the whole ground hibernated to quiet mode.
"On Your Mark"
The Refree said, fixing everyone's eyes on the track
"Get Set"
Heartbeats rising, all athletes began for one deep breath
"And Go"
The Refree yelled pressing the alarm
And off went all the sprinters with Vishnu and Raghu clearly leading the race shoulder to shoulder.
To the naked eye, it was impossible to predict who'd win.
100m and the duo were leading the pack by at least 3 seconds as Arjun, the newcomer from 9th C, was trying hard to catch with them.
200 m and Vishnu managed to get a lead, though not very significant. But in the race of these kind, if he could maintain that till the end, the trophy would be won.
300 m and Vishnu had converted that tiny edge into a lead over Raghu. Every face of 10th B, which Vishnu represented, was now carrying a hint of smile as the victory and the trophy seemed assured.
Suddenly unexpected happened...something that has never happened to either Raghu or Vishnu.
Raghu saw Vishnu's spike landing on a pebble, which was not even supposed to be lying on the race track, his ankle twisting as he fell on the ground skidding for 3-4 meters and his knees badly bruised by the friction.
Entire ground reacted instantly in a sympathizing "shhhhhhhhhhiiit", even as some began to laugh.
Raghu had been given a golden chance to take the lead and become a hero as it was impossible for Vishnu to now recover from the fall and even finish the race, forget about winning it.
Raghu's class was just 5 points behind Vishnu's and a victory would seal the day.
What do you think should Raghu do?
What should the other participants do?
What would you do, if you were in Raghu's shoes?
What would've you wished Raghu to do if you were in Vishnu's place?
There are no right or wrong answers to these questions.
However, the response to each one of these will give you a hint of how our education should be.
It will also give you a different perspectives of success and failure.
Think Over It
The Race of Life
Raghu and Vishnu were the best runners in the school. Fierce competitor as they were, there was very little to differentiate between them. They were also good friends having represented their School at state level for over three years.
When the sports day arrived, everyone began discussing on the possible winner. After all the respective classes that the two represented were also fighting for the championship, the one leading the other by mere 5 points. Clearly anyone winning the last race of the year would emerge as the winner.
As the race preparations began, the atmosphere was charged with names of Raghu and Vishnu. It was one of those rare occasions when the whole class, Girls and Boys, Friends and Foes, stands united to inspire their warriors.
The class teachers too could not resist the intense pressure of the situation. They took their respective athlete aside and spoke some words of wisdom, motivating them to bring the trophy home.
For Raghu and Vishnu, who until now took the race as just another one, the context shifted completely. It wasn't one more race anymore, it was the race of their life. A win here and their name will be etched on the School Hall of Fame forever.
This was the Race for Eteranl Fame.
All athletes took their position.
The Refree signaled for silence and the whole ground hibernated to quiet mode.
"On Your Mark"
The Refree said, fixing everyone's eyes on the track
"Get Set"
Heartbeats rising, all athletes began for one deep breath
"And Go"
The Refree yelled pressing the alarm
And off went all the sprinters with Vishnu and Raghu clearly leading the race shoulder to shoulder.
To the naked eye, it was impossible to predict who'd win.
100m and the duo were leading the pack by at least 3 seconds as Arjun, the newcomer from 9th C, was trying hard to catch with them.
200 m and Vishnu managed to get a lead, though not very significant. But in the race of these kind, if he could maintain that till the end, the trophy would be won.
300 m and Vishnu had converted that tiny edge into a lead over Raghu. Every face of 10th B, which Vishnu represented, was now carrying a hint of smile as the victory and the trophy seemed assured.
Suddenly unexpected happened...something that has never happened to either Raghu or Vishnu.
Raghu saw Vishnu's spike landing on a pebble, which was not even supposed to be lying on the race track, his ankle twisting as he fell on the ground skidding for 3-4 meters and his knees badly bruised by the friction.
Entire ground reacted instantly in a sympathizing "shhhhhhhhhhiiit", even as some began to laugh.
Raghu had been given a golden chance to take the lead and become a hero as it was impossible for Vishnu to now recover from the fall and even finish the race, forget about winning it.
Raghu's class was just 5 points behind Vishnu's and a victory would seal the day.
What do you think should Raghu do?
What should the other participants do?
What would you do, if you were in Raghu's shoes?
What would've you wished Raghu to do if you were in Vishnu's place?
There are no right or wrong answers to these questions.
However, the response to each one of these will give you a hint of how our education should be.
It will also give you a different perspectives of success and failure.
Think Over It
Vishnu would get medical attention by the support staff. Other's should just continue racing. That's what happens. The accident victim would be termed unfortunate & would have a chance to recover. But, after finishing the race, Raghu should immediately look out for his friend and be modest enough to attribute his victory to Vishnu.
ReplyDeleteHowever, since the pebble was not supposed to be there, the school authorities should organize another race after Vishnu recovers from the injury, to give him a fair chance
That is something practically ideal and one (rather two) of the many possibilities :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your views Udayan
Raghu should run to his friend and help him. He may win the race, but he will surely lose a friend. If he does the former, the impact that it will create on everyones mind will be very deep and hold a lot of meaning.
ReplyDelete