MOTIVATION VS INSPIRATION

                                  MOTIVATION VS INSPIRATION

The word “Motivation” is very popular in our society presently. It has created a big market in India and abroad. Several gurus, instructors and trainers are hired by the corporate world for purchasing “Motivation” for their employees; our education system has also adopted it enthusiastically.

                    In past, even few years back, it was inspiration which played an important role to mankind. Generally the youngster used to be inspired by great leaders and social reformers who would work for the welfare of society without expecting anything, but all of a sudden; the scene has changed and motivation has taken the chair ousting inspiration from our lives.

               Basically, inspiration is a spontaneous feeling which arouses for doing something without having any personal expectations or desire of achievements. On the contrary, motivation is a stimulation or push, given deliberately by someone to achieve something. Motivation itself has a great value, but the way it has encroached our lives is dangerous. It is making our society ruthless and tyrant. The whole humanity is being educated to achieve goals, targets, and ranks and so on, which has made our society blindly ambitious and madly competitive. The ridiculous thing is that all the efforts are made for good for nothing, as they have no business with our beautiful life. Now the question arises,” how has it has encroached our lives?” The answer is simple. Observe our daily affairs and we will see that it has trespassed our lives because of increasing impatience and fear, and with the same impatience and fear, we educate and nurture our children.

As it is said “the child is father of the man” from his early childhood, a child is taught not to do anything which does not pay him. Our impatience and fear do it so. For instance, if a child does not study or score good marks in the examination, we usually motivate him saying if he gets good marks, he will be rewarded with a video game, a camera etc. This is the first step where he starts to expect reward for his doing. Even, it has been seen that a child is rewarded for speaking truth, for helping others and so on. By the time he grows up, he learns not to do anything which does not pay or reward him. In these circumstances, how can we think of a man who will help parents, society or the whole man kind without any expectation as our ancestors like Mahatma Gandhi, Swami Vivekananda, Ravindranath Tagore did ? If we recall our scriptures e.g. the Vedas, the Geeta which give the massage, “ do but don’t worry for achievements and consequences” only then we can sense our mistake that we have forgotten the basic principles of life which are true to the whole mankind for ages .If we want to remove cut throat competitions, psychological abnormalities, terrorism, wars, etc, from our society, we should root out the wrong education which is the result of our impatience and fear. Why are we in a haste to achieve something or have fear to lose it? We all are like Tom (desires) who is chasing after Jerry (achievements) and it never comes in our hands, aren’t we? Let’s think and check where we are faulty!

Additional or main income?

                                   Additional or main income?

Man and woman both are working today. Women are equally contributing and in some cases they are doing more than what a man can do. But it is also seen that most of the employed women believe that their income is additional whereas their husband’s income is main. The problem starts from here. As soon as they think that their income is additional and what they are getting is enough for them, the employers start exploiting the situation. Gradually, it spoils the wages system of the job market.

Though women are qualified and working competently, their thinking of additional income affects the whole system of wages. They are ready to work on low wages. The advantage of it is being taken by employers. When they have women employees available on low wages, why will they pay more to men? Hence, men are also compelled to work on low wages. In this way, men and women both are exploited and underpaid.

The situation can be improved if women start to think of the value of their labor. They should not take their income as additional.  They are not doing additional work then why do they think of additional income?  They should also demand the wages as per government norms, otherwise both men and women will always remain underpaid and employers will continue exploiting both.

Education or Edutainment?

Education or Edutainment?

Education aims to a holistic development of a person. It needs earnest efforts and practices. It is not meant for only earning bread and butter but gives a way to meaningful life. Presently, education is taken primarily for earning money. Not only students but those who are running and working for educational institutions want to mint money out of it. It has been called now ‘Education Industry’. The teachers have become facilitator or rather entertainer because education should be a fun. In fact, it was a concept for little children to make them feel at home but it has become the part of higher education also. Think about this if ‘Research studies have become fun’. Commercialization has brought this concept as the philosophy of it swings between profit and loss. It treats students as consumers and by hook or by crook they want to gain profit only without caring the effect on the lives of the students. The students are kept in comfort zone. They should not face any problem. Therefore, fun and entertainment has become a prominent part of education. Indian films have promoted this concept to a great extent. Young generation wants to see their institutions as a fashion mall. The teachers are compelled to be interesting and presentable. Their knowledge and simplicity attracts neither employer nor students. Pomp and show is appreciated. If one knows manipulation, he is a valuable worker for employer. In this way it is gradually digging the roots of education which could add some meaning and values to life.

I have visited or worked for many schools, colleges and universities but I felt a void as I found no urge for learning in majority of the students. Above all, the pedagogical practices and researches are trying to find the ways of how to entertain these students.  In the name of making class interesting, they are seeking the ways how to overcome the suffocated atmosphere of a classroom. After a B. Ed. Degree and bearing many training programmes and workshops on teaching and training the students, I have come to the conclusion that education is not for the sake of education now but a business item which has to be sold anyhow. The commercialization of education has made mandatory to entertain the students as they are paying a huge fees and dreaming a life of a thick package, luxury and status, dozing off in the classrooms.

Whatsoever progress we see on the earth is the efforts of genius ancestors. The progress in science and technology, literature, art and music is the result of sincere endeavors and sacrifice. In ancient system of education, one who wishes to get education, used to go to Gurukulas. He had to go through an acid test for getting education. He was not accepted just for fees but he had to show the urge for learning. If he was able to pass then only he could stay in Gurukul. Therefore, the Vedic education was given to only those students who had deep urge of learning.

At last it is also noticeable that in the name of technical and vocational education; the thinking minds are made crippled by so called architects of modern education system of our country and abroad. In India, the fashion of English medium schools has already played a fatal role to prevent us from radical thinking in our own mother tongue. Now technical and vocational education is making the generation not less than a human machine without intelligence and liberal thinking. The education in social science and humanities is being demolished so that young generation cannot think on radical issues of individual and social life and raise the voice against the wrong going on in the society in the name of progress and prosperity. The young generation might be employed, but for whom that is a question?

By Dr. Vivek Agrawal

The need to curb parental desire will help in shaping children's future

It is well said by William Wordsworth that 'The child is father of the man.' What he learns during childhood is depicted in his adulthood. Therefore, it is crucial that children's upbringing should be properly taken care of. Parents are the best teachers, guides and caretakers. No one can take their place as they only can think, unconditionally, about their children's future. They can mould their children in which ever way they want.

Modern age is full of complexities and perplexities. Man hardly gets time to think and watch. Science and technology has endowed luxurious machinery that man can live his life comfortably, But these comforts are making man slave of them. He is so engaged in consuming luxuries that he either has become inactive or ambitious for accumulating them more and more. Therefore, he has to run after making money W.H. Davies says;

'What is this life if full of care; We have no time to stand and stare .•

The modern parents are not untouched with this. They are so busy in fulfilling their desires and ambitions that they hardly get time to look after their children. No doubt, they provide all the facilities and comforts to the children, but what about the quality time which they should give to their children to inculcate values of life?

Since the life has become so hectic, it hardly gives parents a chance to have leisure with children. It inhibits proper communication between parents and children which leads to isolation and loneliness. Children have to cope up with so many psychological complexities that they can not do it without the support of their parents. If their psychological needs are not fulfilled, it drives them to behave abnormally, then ultimately they are found culprit of all the wrongs. Family disputes are the consequence of these abnormalities. Therefore, it is essential for the parents to give quality time to the children and for that they have to curb their own desires. Parties, meetings, social activities or ambition for making money, earning status are all things which they have to balance for the sake of their children, then only will they be able to shape a better future and this will flower into a healthy society and a prosperous country.           

 Dr. Vivek Agrawal

 Note: write your comments in 150 words in favour or against the topic.

Words to Describe Personality and Behaviour

1.      Active = always doing something: "She's an active person and never wants to stay in."

2.      Aggressive = being angry or threatening: "He's aggressive and starts arguments."a

3.      Ambitious = wanting to succeed: "He's ambitious and wants to lead the company."

4.      Argumentative = always arguing with people: "He won't accept what you say - he's argumentative and loves to disagree!"

5.      Arrogant = thinking you are better than anyone else: "He always behaves as if nobody else's opinion is important - "I find him very arrogant."

6.      Assertive = being confident, so people can't force you to do things you don't want to do: "It's important to be assertive at work.

7.      Austere = Person lives with simplicity: Gandhiji was an austere man.

8.      Bad-tempered = in a bad mood: "What's got into him lately? He's so bad-tempered."

9.      Big-headed = thinking you're very important or clever: "I've never met anyone so big-headed!"

10.  Boisterous = person lives with pomp and show: He has boisterous life style.

11.  Bossy = telling people what to do all the time: "He's so bossy - he never lets me do things the way I want to do them."

12.  Careless = not taking care: "He's a careless driver - "I'm sure he'll have an accident."

13.  Caring = wanting to help people: "My boss is caring and often asks me how things are going."

14.  Catty = saying nasty or spiteful things about other people: "I know you don't like her, but calling her names is a bit catty."

15.  Cautious = being careful, so that you avoid mistakes: "He's cautious about investing money in the stock market."

16.  Charming = pleasant and likeable: "What a charming man!"

17.  Cheeky = being rude or disrespectful: "It was a bit cheeky of him to ask for more money."

18.  Clever = intelligent: "She's a clever student and picks things up quickly."

19.  Conceited = thinking you're very clever, or better than others: "He's so conceited - he thinks everyone should admire him."

20.  Conscientious = doing something carefully, because you want to do it well: "She's a conscientious student and always does her homework."

21.  Considerate = thinking and caring about others: "My neighbour brought me flowers when I was in hospital - he's very considerate." ("That was considerate of him.")

22.  Coy = pretending to be shy so that you don't have to give information: "He's very coy about his qualifications - maybe he doesn't have any."

23.  Creative = someone who can make or design things, or can think of solutions to a problem: "She's creative and artistic."

24.  Curious = wanting to know things: "I'm curious to find out what you think of the situation."

25.  Deceitful = trying to make people think something, so that you get what you want: "He lied to get this job - he's so deceitful."

26.  Diligent = Hard-working: He is very diligent in his work.

27.  Docile = quiet and submissive: "She's a docile child and always does what she's told."

28.  Dogmatic = wanting others to accept your ideas without discussion: "He's a dogmatic politician and always thinks he's right."

29.  Domineering = trying to control other people: "He's loud and domineering in the office - it's difficult to get him to listen to us."

30.  Enthusiastic = having a lot of interest in something: "He's an enthusiastic supporter of equal rights."

31.  Excitable = someone who easily gets excited: "He gets very excitable about politics - it's one of his passions in life."

32.  Extroverted = outgoing and lively: "She's extroverted and loves going out with people."

33.  Exuberant = very energetic: Sachin is an exuberant player.

34.  Faithful = being loyal to someone or something: "She's a faithful friend."

35.  Fastidious= very choosy: It is very tiring to go shopping with Aman as he is very fastidious in his selection.

36.  Fickle = changing your mind and being unpredictable: "Politicians can be fickle when it suits them!"

37.  Flaky = slightly unstable and unreliable: "She's a little flaky at times, but otherwise she's a good worker."

38.  Full of himself = acting proud of yourself: "He was full of himself after he got the promotion - it got annoying after a while."

39.  Funny = making other people laugh: "He can be extremely funny when he's in the mood."

40.  Fussy = only liking certain things: "She's fussy about what she wears."

41.  Good-natured = kind and thoughtful: "She's good-natured and always tries to help."

42.  Grumpy = someone who tends to be in a bad mood: "He's always grumpy in the morning and never says 'hello'."

43.  Happy-go-lucky = not worrying about what might happen in the future: "He's a bit happy-go-lucky and doesn't think about the future."

44.  Impulsive = doing things without thinking first: "If he sees something he likes, he just buys it - he can be so impulsive at times!"

45.  Inconsiderate = not considering other people or their feelings: "It was a little inconsiderate of him not to give you a get-well card."

46.  Introverted = opposite of extroverted: "He was introverted as a teenager, but became more confident as he got older."

47.  Inventive = able to think up new ideas: "As head of Marketing, he can often think of inventive ways to keep his customers happy."

48.  Irritating = annoying others: "He can be very irritating to work with."

49.  Jokey = making jokes: "You're in a jokey mood today, but we've got work to do!"

50.  Jolly = happy and cheerful: "It was the weekend and everyone was in a jolly mood."

51.  Kind = thoughtful and caring: "My neighbour is kind - she looked after my cat when I was on holiday."

52.  Loud-mouthed = someone who talks a lot and often says offensive things: "Don't worry about what he said - he's loud-mouthed at times."

53.  Loyal = someone who is faithful and stands by you: "His colleagues were loyal to him when he was having problems with his boss."

54.  Manic = behaving in a slightly crazy way: "We're a bit manic at the moment - we're rushing to finish the work before our deadline."

55.  Manipulative = trying to get people to do what you want, by influencing or deceiving them: "She's very manipulative when she wants something."

56.  Meticulous = very careful and detailed: My teacher is meticulous in checking copies.

57.  Moody = having unpredictable moods: "Some people think he's moody - you never know if he's happy or grumpy."

58.  Nervous = uncomfortable with a situation: "I'm always nervous before an exam."

59.  Old-fashioned = behaving or thinking in a way that isn't modern: "He's a bit old-fashioned and thinks women shouldn't work."

60.  Opinionated = having strong opinions: "He's opinionated and dogmatic - the last person you want to negotiate with."

61.  Passive = not assertive - doing what other people wants you to do without arguing: "He's passive at work, but domineering at home."

62.  Painstaking = extremely careful and correct and using lots of effort: He is a painstaking journalist that is why you cannot blame for his reporting.

63.  Perfectionist = someone who wants perfection: "Her boss is a perfectionist - no spelling mistakes are allowed."

64.  Persuasive = being able to persuade people to do things or to accept your ideas: "He's a persuasive talker."

65.  Picky = only liking certain things or people: "She's picky about her friends."

66.  Playful = someone who likes to play and have fun: "You're in a playful mood today!"

67.  Pleasant = nice and polite: "The bank manager was pleasant to me today."

68.  Polite = showing good manners: "She's polite and never forgets to say 'please' or 'thank you'."

69.  Pragmatic = being practical and aware of your limitations: "She's pragmatic at work and only does what she can."

70.  Quick-tempered = getting angry quickly: "He was quick-tempered when he was young, but he's more relaxed now."

71.  Reserved = keeping your ideas and thoughts to yourself: "He's reserved, but polite."

72.  Rude = impolite: "He's very rude and never says 'please' or 'thank you'."

73.  Scatter-brained = someone who often forgets things: "Don't you remember where you put your wallet? You're so scatter-brained!"

74.  Serious = not light-hearted: "He's a serious student and always does his homework."

75.  Shy = quiet, because you are not very confident: "He's so shy and hates saying anything to people he doesn't know."

76.  Sincere = saying what you believe (opposite of insincere): "He's sincere in his beliefs."

77.  Slapdash = doing your work quickly and carelessly: "He's got a very slapdash attitude - I doubt he'll ever become a lawyer."

78.  Slimy = trying to get what you want by being over-friendly: "That man is so slimy - he makes me feel sick!"

79.  Sly = doing things in a secretive way: "You never know what he's up to - he's sly and manipulative."

80.  Spendthrift = person who spends money in a wasteful way: My son is a spendthrift.

81.  Spiteful = trying to hurt other people because you didn't get what you wanted: "If she doesn't get what she wants, she can be quite spiteful."

82.  Stereotyped = person who has fixed idea about something, not progressive: She is a stereotyped woman, so she will not allow me to go to the party.

83.  Thoughtful = someone who thinks a lot: "He's a thoughtful person and won't do anything unless he has considered the consequences."

84.  Trustworthy = someone you can trust: "My accountant is really trustworthy."

85.  Volatile = quickly changing moods: "He's easily excitable and pretty volatile."

86.  Witty = being able to make other people laugh by what you say: "He's witty and charming - the perfect person to invite to a party." 

Describing people in English

Age

My grandfather is quite old. In fact, as he has a pension, he is an old age pensioner, or a senior citizen.

His daughter, my aunt, is 55, and middle-aged. She has three sons. One is a young adult, at 24 years of age, and the other two are both teenagers. They are 16 and 17. My sister also has two children - one toddler who is a two-year old, and a baby who is 6 months old.

Build

People are built in all shapes and sizes. There are those who are fat and overweight. Some people are extremely overweight and are obese. Other people are naturally slim, but others look have absolutely no fat on them and are thin, or skinny.

Personally, I am stocky - small, but well-built. My father is tall and lean - with very little fat. My sister is short, but wiry - she is quite thin, but muscular. Both my brothers are athletic and well-proportioned. My mother looks like a 1940's film star. She is curvaceous, with an hour-glass figure.

My grandfather is fit for his age and takes plenty of exercise. He doesn't want all his muscles to get flabby.

Colouring

My sister is an English rose - she has fair hair and fair skin. She doesn't tan easily and has to be careful in the sun. My mother is blonde, also with a fair complexion. I am a red-head - with red hair. Like many other people with a pale complexion, I get freckles from the sun - small brown dots on my face and arms. In contrast, my father has dark-brown hair and he is quite dark-skinned. You are born with a colour - white or Caucasian, black or Asian. People whose parents are of different ethnic origin are mixed-race. Southern Europeans are sometimes described as Mediterranean.

Face

Faces, like build, vary a lot. Some people have oval faces - their foreheads are much wider than their chins. Other people have heart-shaped, square or round faces.

Features also vary. My grandfather has bushy eyebrows (he has lots of hair!), a hooked nose and high cheekbones. His eyes are large and set quite far apart. My mother has a broad nose, which she hates, as she prefers narrow noses. But she is lucky to have even or regular teeth. My sister corrected her crooked teeth by wearing a brace which straightened them. She has rosy cheeks, small ears and a snub nose, which goes up at the end.

I have long, curly hair, though my sister is the opposite, with short, straight hair. Her hair is fine and doesn't weigh very much, but mine is thick and heavy. My mother's hair is wavy - in between straight and curly. It's cut in a bob and she also has a short fringe, where it is cut horizontally across her forehead. My father is losing his hair - in fact he is going bald, which makes him very sad. My brother looks like he is going to lose his hair too - it is receding.