Read on Twitter
Read the story series about the rankers of higher secondary 2 decades ago and am in awe. Excellent effort by the reporter to track them down and get their stories. It is no mean feat to do so, especially when it involves a lot of time.
However, I have a few thoughts (1/n)
However, I have a few thoughts (1/n)
I think the biggest point we need to pay attention to is the one she tweeted about - About how a great majority of the top rankers are from the general category. What happened to those from other categories? Students from theOBCs (I think there was 1) and SCs and STs? (2/n)
I think we need to put the spotlight on that aspect.. about how a lot of achievements are directly a product of their access and privilege. It is a fact that cannot be discounted. Also, exceptions cannot be examples (3/n)
Another imp point i wanted to reiterate here is that -- As a society, we don't talk about 'failure' enough. Failure in respect to a person, as defined by the society.
I personally think it is time for us to normalise students taking a gap year, failing while trying etc (4/n)
I personally think it is time for us to normalise students taking a gap year, failing while trying etc (4/n)
Because while stories of success are trumpeted out loud, there are many more students who would have been toppers at the school level and yet lost the shine sometime after. We need to tell them it is okay to lose it midway. It takes immense strength to put oneself back (5/n)
..together after being broken. And that strength and possibility need to be normalised and celebrated. It is okay to fall. It is okay to fail. It is okay to not keep up with 'expectations'. That needs to be said out loud.
End of rant (6/6)
End of rant (6/6)
