When Nelson Mandela, freedom fighter extraordinaire, humanist and free South Africa's first Prez described education as 'the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world' may be he did not realise the full impact of his words.
In a faraway corner of Asia, tucked in the hilly region of Pakistan is Swat, where a young 16 year old girl Malala Yousafzai, is today a true testimony to the power of education. Her simple demeanour and the strong streak of honest rebellion and determination in her eyes share a common trait with Mandela. Both have come to haunt all that is evil, demeaning and depressing in this world.
Education is indeed a weapon more lethal than any that the evil forces had bargained for . The strong conviction of Malala at the UN Assembly and how it binds her with people of all age groups beyond race, colour, creed or community tells us that the only way to bring in change is through the subtle power of education.
Her message to wage a glorious struggle against illiteracy, poverty and terrorism, by using books and pen as they are the most powerful weapons show that we may be separated by borders and boundaries yet, all enlightened minds think alike.
As teachers, we use them (books & pen) as tools of our trade; if I may be pardoned for using such a crude term for our vocation, yet have we fully understood its power and utilised it to enlighten and ignite young minds for ushering in a new dawn? On this Teacher's Day, let us reflect on this question and turn a new page for the dawn of a new future.
Happy Teacher's Day folks!
Savita Panhotra
In a faraway corner of Asia, tucked in the hilly region of Pakistan is Swat, where a young 16 year old girl Malala Yousafzai, is today a true testimony to the power of education. Her simple demeanour and the strong streak of honest rebellion and determination in her eyes share a common trait with Mandela. Both have come to haunt all that is evil, demeaning and depressing in this world.
Education is indeed a weapon more lethal than any that the evil forces had bargained for . The strong conviction of Malala at the UN Assembly and how it binds her with people of all age groups beyond race, colour, creed or community tells us that the only way to bring in change is through the subtle power of education.
Her message to wage a glorious struggle against illiteracy, poverty and terrorism, by using books and pen as they are the most powerful weapons show that we may be separated by borders and boundaries yet, all enlightened minds think alike.
As teachers, we use them (books & pen) as tools of our trade; if I may be pardoned for using such a crude term for our vocation, yet have we fully understood its power and utilised it to enlighten and ignite young minds for ushering in a new dawn? On this Teacher's Day, let us reflect on this question and turn a new page for the dawn of a new future.
Happy Teacher's Day folks!
Savita Panhotra
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