Intolerance and awards
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The other day Jaitish came to me sulking and said, “Nanu I am
returning the best student award to the school authorities’ I was
naturally
taken aback.
“But why, Jaitish ?”, I asked
“ Sandeep slapped
Rajesh and teacher did not punish
Sandeep”
Jaitish said.
“ Wait a minute. Who is Sandeep and Who is Rajesh?” I sought
an
answer as I had never heard their names before.
“They are students of my school but are not my classmates”
“They are not your classmates yet you are so perturbed that
you
have decided to return the award”
“ I am concerned, Nanu. Why should I tolerate such behavior
on
the part of Sandeep ? We must protests. Nahi” He seems to be
genuinely
worried and sought a positive reply from me.
“ Is returning of award, the only choice left with you”, I
asked him
inquisitively.
“Yes, this way I will bring this incident to the notice of
the
Principal and the Management”
“ But their must be more severe incidents before too. This is
just a
matter of slapping”
“Yes there were numerous incidents of head knocking, bouts,
hand
to hand fights etc. earlier too…”
I immediately interrupted him.
“ Did anyone return the award then ? I asked.
“ No, not to my knowledge. Not at all,” he saw me
suspiciously.
“ Why are you doing this now ?”
“ Because I want that the violence should have no place in
the
school and watching me return the award, other awardees will
follow suit”
“You mean they don’t have the mind of their own and simply
will
follow you.” I said watching his reaction which was bordering
confusion
and frustration.
“ No, I just want to return the award. Ghandhi Ji told that
violence
has no place anywhere” He was insistent.
“ As you said that your school had witnessed more severe
violence
earlier too, your school must have been tolerant enough to tolerate
such incidents of intolerance.” I played with his curiosity.
“Don’t sidetrack the issue, Nanu. I am returning the award. That’s
it.”
“Who gave you this award” I did not let me overpower me with
his
insistence.
“ The school”. He said waiting for another question
“ What does school mean to you ?”
“What do you mean, Nanu. School is everything to me.”
“What does your school consists of”
“ Students, teachers, Principal, all”
“It means the award received by you is not given to you by
either a
Principal or a teacher or a student. It is given by the SCHOOL.
Am I right?”
“Yes.” He became curious.
“ Have you read the preamble of the our constitution:- WE THE
PEOPLE…..”
“Yes, I have read that people are supreme in a republic and
that a
Government is by the people, for the people and of the people”.
Jaitish
was quite excited now.
“ In other words, the SCHOOL has unanimously or by majority
appreciated your talent. The award was
bestowed on you because
in their intellect, you were the best in your own
field. Returning
the award means that you will insult those very people who
bestowed
the award on you, who allowed you to reach upto this
pedestal. You are
insulting the judgment of students, teachers and
the Principal etc”
“But Nanu, so many writers, filmmakers, artists are returning
the
awards now a days”
“ My dear Jaitish, they are not only insulting the
Constitution of
India but also the people of India who have all along recognized
their talents and
works. All these attained glory and fame because
of the people of India. They
received awards at various levels
including national level because the whole
nation wanted it. They
are infact insulting their own nation, the MOTHER INDIA.
In the
similar way, you will insult the SCHOOL, that very school which
teaches
you basics of life to begin your life.”
“What should I do now, Nanu.
I can not tolerate this injustice to
Rajesh”, Jaitish became subdued
while seeking my advice.
“Well, there are other form of protests which you have to
explore
without hurting the ethos of your school.
Jaitish had something to ponder about.
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by tribhawan kaul
