I recently had a discussion with a close friend about the nature of Indians in this country. He broached his view about how ineffectual the less fortunate Indians were in freeing themselves from the shackles of poverty. His argument was that he knows many people who although came from difficult back ground stills managed to get educated and better themselves. He said to me “It’s proven that people can do it. Why don’t they”?
Why do the impoverished Indians not better themselves? I mean the basic concept of education should come as second nature among the grass roots. It’s prevalent everywhere you go. No one lives in a bubble where the concept of schooling is unheard of. If you have children, they go to school, no matter if you are rich or poor.
The Indian community needs to realize change. The environment are their masters who are preventing them from seeking a higher truth. My time spent with the community showed me that for the most part they all suffered from apathy and ignorance. No one came to these communities to tell them how life could be better. Essentially many are living in servitude. They are aware that a better life is possible but hope has come and gone. They are aware that their children could make it but how many are willing to convert their children to a belief when they themselves lack optimism. I have heard parents say “ we have 5 children, how do we feed them?, I work but my salary is RM500, if my kids help me I can make a bit more. It’s ok, at least the youngest 3 will go to school. My eldest sons/daughters are needed.” It’s a similar story in most places. Survival is something most of us can’t relate to but for these families, everyday is another battle, just hoping that they will make it to the next day without something going wrong.
The need to educate must start with the parents themselves but inevitably they will say “I make x amount of ringgit. I can’t afford it, if you say that my children’s studies are that important, are you willing to pay for their schooling?” This is where the entire community must stand together and pitch in. This is what it means being a community. We take care of one another.
Roles models are required to go and talk to school children. Forget about the Parents! Their time has come and gone. The children are the future of our community. It’s vital that we safeguard them anyway we can. The children must be proud to be Indian. They must come to understand how amazing Indian civilization is and how respected we are in other countries. We must stimulate their minds that the fill themselves with confidence, sure in the knowledge that there are people who care, people who believe in them and people who want to see them succeed. People who make it in life are imbued with drive and an underlying sense of purpose. Some of us are born with it and for others it’s imbued during our formative years. Imagine what drive and purpose can do for someone who is not aware of such concepts?
I think sometimes we ask too many questions and spend too much philosophizing about issues that require physical intervention and not intellectual percolation. A problem exists. What each of us must ask ourselves is what can I do to solve this problem?
