In search of Idols

In search of Idols

Jokim Mannar

Youth is the time when we always want to copy someone. We look for perfection and we don’t mind copying perfection. Youth by their very nature are smart and learn things fast. We learn from our parents, caretakers, siblings, relatives, friends, teachers, etc. and we are most influenced by people around us.

Choosing a role model, an idol can have positive and negative effects on us. If we choose a good role model, it affects us positively and if we happen to choose a role model of bad character it influences us in a bad way. Take the case of Hitler. He always admired the Italian Facists Benito Mossolini and wanted to be like him. We all know today who Hitler was.

Dr. Marilyn Price-Mitchell, in her book: “Tomorrow’s Change Makers: Reclaiming the Power of Citizenship for Our New Generation” describes how a role model affects a person. She presents many examples of young people who feel downed and tired but the very thought of their role model motivated them to live life enthusiastically.

Qualities to look out in a role model:

What are some of the qualities that we need to look out when choosing a role model. We need to examine the person by the values he lives by. Certainly we won’t choose someone who deosn’t have any values. We look up to somene who is loving, caring, kind.

Is our idol a spiritual person, a person who believes in God?

True models are indusrious people. They are committed to a good couse and ready to sacrifice to achieve the goal. Role models can’t be people with narrow mindedness. An open minded person accepts others view and is willing to give other a chance to grow. Another quality that we need to look for in chooding an idol is selflessness.

We need others and one day others willl also need us. No one can claim that he or she is a self-made person. Living with others bring about growth in us. We cannot have all the inspiration we need from ourselves alone but look up to someone to be inspired.

We will be Idols to someone someday. In all that we do may we inspire.

Academic Rat-Race

Academic Rat-Race

Alan D'Silva SDB

Eighteen year old Reena, from the fishing community was found hanging from the ceiling of her house, near Villupuram village, 170km from Chennai. She committed suicide since she could not crack the NEET exam.

We are living in a fast-moving, technologically advanced and extremely competitive world. Life moves and changes in seconds. And it appears that, the law of the world is, ‘The BEST will survive.’ Competition has become a part of daily life. Everyone wants to be better than the other and not just better, but the best.

Positive Effects:

The purpose of education is to create responsible and competent citizens. The competitive structure of education has been a cause of motivation for both teachers and students. It has boosted the performance of the students and has taken education to a whole new level; Teaching strategies have changed, classroom infrastructure has been improved and the teaching faculty has been enhanced.

Negative Effects:

On one hand, competition has proven to be the cause for better academic performance, it has in some cases led to unfortunate consequences. The failure to meet targets has affected the morale and confidence of youngsters. In some, competition has led to stress, depression and disappointment. The disproportionate focus on marks and grades has led to long hours of study and reduced time in relaxation and recreational activities. In extreme cases, it has led to the loss of life.

A Final Word…

Competition is necessary in as much as it helps us to better ourselves and shapes us into competent individuals. It is necessary to engage in competition, but it should be healthy rivalry rather than students participating in a rat-race, in a bid to outperform their peers. It is always an important and noble duty of educators and parents to support children and help them cope with failure.[