EDUCATION

Society teaching deprived to attain greater heights
Rohit Wadhwaney

New Delhi, October 27
Having nothing to look forward to in life, they saw a ray of hope in education. They said, “We want to learn, but nobody is there to teach us”… until the Sri Aurobindo Education Society learnt of this keen desire in the underprivileged youngsters. Working at the Aurobindo Ashram here, the society runs the Institute of Vocational Training.

Founded in 1989 and sponsored by the Ministry of Human Resource and Development, the institute aims at helping the underprivileged and unemployed youth earn a livelihood.

The institution offers courses of six months duration in many trades like cookery, bakery, welding, carpentry, electrical works, handmade papermaking, book binding, soap making, photo framing, plumbing and even common languages like Hindi and English. The aim is to impart practical training to youngsters from all walks of life free of cost.

Chandu, who started as a student at the ashram about three years ago, said: “When I came here, I had no clue as to what I could do to earn a living. This institute provided me with a broader perspective towards life.” Now, Chandu permanently lives in the ashram.

There are a number of volunteers who come every day to teach these underprivileged kids. Ms Kamlesh Mohindra, the backbone of the institute and also one of the volunteers, said: “I lived in Nigeria for eight years, so I missed out on contributing to the country. I couldn’t have thought of a better way to do that than to help the underprivileged who form more than half of our population. Mohindra said that in the beginning, when these youngsters come here from different parts of the country, there is indeed a bit of tension amongst them. However, with time they learn to appreciate each other’s culture. Moreover, “I learn so much as I teach them,” she said.

According to Mohindra, the institute is an exposure for these needy people to widen their horizon. “A few of the students from our institute are now qualified teachers and they are teaching in some of the highly reputed schools,” she said with a sense of pride.

Shanti Verma, another volunteer, said: “Teaching these youngsters gives me a good feeling and peace of mind.”

Poonam Kandpal, a student of the institute, aims to open such an organization back home in Nanital. “I will use my education to teach the uneducated people in my area,” she said.

Another student, Sanjay, however, felt that the meditation classes held everyday had helped him become mentally tough. Arata Trane, hailing from Orissa, “did not want to leave the Ashram.”

He has now become a devotee and looks after the bookshop in the Ashram.

Punjabi youth care two hoots for their eyes
J T Vishnu
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, October 27
A research on the vision status of youth in the country conducted recently revealed that, about 40 per cent of the college students were not aware of their eye defects.

About 4648 students belong to various colleges in the city were tested, and the good news is that the report stated that, Delhi is more aware than other states as already 22 per cent knew that they had eye defects.

In fact, the report placed Punjab in danger zone and said, the youth of the state must realise the need for an eye care.

Youth Vision India, 2001, the report which was released a few days ago in the Capital revealed that, about 43 per cent of youth in Amritsar and 13 per cent in Patiala in Punjab have eye problems, and are not even aware of it. In Haryana, the research, which was conducted in Faridabad shows about 13 per cent, need vision correction. As compared to these two states neighbouring states like Delhi and Rajasthan are rated as safe as the total vision care correction is 22 per cent.

The research which was conducted by Bausch and Lomb eye care and Vision Improvement Experts Working Council (VIEW), tested eye sight of youth aged 16-21, with sample size of 716 in Amritstar, 1614 in Patiala and 2610 in Faridabad.

In fact, the incidence of known vision correction of youth at present in Amritsar is only 15 per cent, with eight per cent in Patiala and 11 per cent in Faridabad. These small percentages of youth who knew about their eye problems are taking adequate precautions, said the report.

"Lack of awareness among the youth, and irregular visit to a doctor. Living with eye defects obviously reduces the quality of life, and this has placed the youth of India in a worse state," said senior Ophthalmologist, Dr Mahipal Sachdev a View Member.

"The demographic pattern shows that a large number of youth don't realise the need for glasses. One has to rectify lazy eye, which would lead to retractive error that ultimately leads to myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism," said Dr Sachdev.

The report also added that, for a population of a billion, we have just 10,000 Ophthalmologists, 5,000 optometrists and 20,000 opticians.

Amity play calls for women’s liberation
Our Correspondent

New Delhi, October 27
To mark the 10th annual day celebrations, the students of Amity International staged a powerful play “Aahwahan”, to drive home the message for women’s liberation.

The play sends out a message that women should be given their rightful place in society. The students depicted the predicament of women through the ages.

Directed by noted theater personality Fiesal Alkazi, the play was made complete with a plethora of dances. Among those who attended the function were the Lt. Governor of Delhi, Vijai Kapoor, Director of Education, Gyanendra Srivastava and media personality Paranjoy Guha Thakurta.

Addressing the gathering, Mr Kapoor said, “The aim of education is not to create bookish minds but good, liberal, creative and humanistic minds. The role of education is also to counter misinformation.”

The guest of honour, Mr Srivastava, blessed the students and exhorted them to strive for the best.

The audience were treated to a delightful and elevating instrumental music composition, “Navodaya”, symbolising the world today, torn apart with strife but which can be unified using the language of music.