Shyam Kishore Prasad
Age: 35
“I did a BA Pass course from Delhi University’s Hindu College in 2005. I scored about 51% in the first two years, which I think is fairly decent. However, the last year of my graduation was not easy. I wasn’t able to fill out the examination forms for a couple of subjects because of financial constraints, so I couldn’t sit for those two exams, and because of that my percentage plummeted.
“I decided to not pursue studies any further. No one wants to study for the sake of knowledge. Education in today’s day and age is perceived as a means to earn. The quality of education in our country is a different story altogether as the courses seem unnecessarily lengthy, and most of the things taught have no application in practical life.
“During my final year, I underwent training to give massages at The Blind Relief Association in Delhi. But because of certain personal reasons, I couldn’t complete the training then. After my graduation, I decided to undergo training again, and now I am a certified masseur.
“Despite the training and certificate, it was challenging to establish myself as a masseur. Nobody was comfortable with me, a blind man, giving massages. My first job was at Bapu Nature Cure Hospital and Yogashram. I worked there for seven months and learnt ayurvedic, naturopathic techniques of massaging. After my stint there, I took up a more than three-year-long course in yoga and naturopathy from the Gandhi National Academy of Naturopathy.
“Now, I work at The Blind Relief Association as an Assistant Massage Trainer. I teach the blind – who want to pursue the course – and learn how to give massages. I’m also working at a gym called Fitness Fusion in Delhi’s Vasant Kunj.”
– As told to Tania Goklany. She met Shyam at The Blind Relief Association in Delhi.
“The quality of education in our country is a different story altogether as the courses seem unnecessarily lengthy, and most of the things taught have no application in practical life.”
Well said Shyam, even though you may not have graduated, you have gained this knowledge to conclude in simple sentences what today’s graduation from university means.
I graduated as an engineer but at that time I could not even repair stuff lying in the house. What good is that degree when we cannot solve a real life problem. Loaded with theory and ready for exams, scoring good scores does not make us ready for practice in real life situations.
I wish all the “great educators” of our country see what you have realized.
Good luck…
I second that! I work with onsite colleagues in Germany, They have blend of courses… when they say Applied sciences they really mean it. I have experienced their talent practically. We are no less to anybody…however teachers and lectures with Qualitative or practical approach are rare and passion are rare…
We are just in rat race! and education is taken as business! passion for knowledge is lacking from both parents as well as educational institutes! Its to attribute to GREEDYness growing in all of us. This drive for knowledge shall come from parents first! Its like People Vs politics. we can not blame anyone!