The Plight of Present Day Primary Education

Education is the birth right of every child.  But now, it seems that Education is the birth right of every child whose parents have the money power to buy it.  We could only able to recall a famous lyric in Tamil when translated reads as, “Even if the Goddess of Education wants to admit her kids in school, she should sell her Veena to pay the admission fees”.

We would like to give you a brief overview of the current system of education at least in Bangalore.  The schooling of a kid starts from the age 1.6 years, and they call it Brain Bear. From the Brain Bear starts the competitive money power of the parents. On an average, the annual fee for the private schools is INR 15 to 20 thousands.   Most of these baby care centers are private franchises and each franchise have their own fee structure.  The fee differs with the extent of the infrastructure it has on its care centers.

So, when there are schools with unimaginable fees, the competition paves way for a lesser standard schools, which offer promising care for an annual fee of INR 5 to 12 thousands, with an option to pay the fees in installments.

Given the situation of private franchises, a look into an established and registered school is much bitterer.

These registered schools admit a kid into pre-nursery only when the kid’s age is 2.6 years, stating that the kid is too young even at 2.5 years to learn an instructed education - A fact very much to be welcomed.

But, the admission for June gets over by November of the previous year.  A child who will be 2.6 years in June will be much younger in November of the previous year. How can a child of such a young age be tested for its knowledge? So what is the basis for admission? – Truly, the answer is the parents’ buying power. The fee is to be paid in full and it amounts to INR 40 to 50 thousand.

Even after such a competitive buying of school seats, the parents are in turmoil when the kid reaches standard 1. The kid has to clear an entrance exam and the parent has to shell out once again to retain the seat.

How such a business is run successfully? The answer lies in a dead-lock of the following chain of events, the competitiveness of buying power, the parents’ choice between child care and their professional career, partial success of Sarva Siksha Abhiyan, non-responsive people and government who fail to question such happenings.

Another question which we would like to know is - Is there any regulatory board to scrutinize and certify these private play-schools and day-care center? Except human trust, what else can support their promised care for the kids?

What measures had the government taken to regulate such schools? We are not aware; if you are aware do post your comments.  Also write your comments and suggestion for improving such un-regulated private kids schools / kids care centers.   The idea of Aeva is to strengthen the expressed ideas, so if interested post your comments.
Image Courtesy : Google Images

The Science of Temple Worship

Why do we need temples when God is everywhere?...A wise man answered Air is everywhere, still you need a Fan to feel it.

So, how wise was the man?

We all have experienced that when we are in a silent atmosphere or when we pray together whole- heartedly we certainly experience peace and satisfaction. God certainly dwells in every living soul of the universe. If so, then why do we go to temples? Is it a ritual? Or do we simply follow that because our fathers and great grand fathers practiced it?

Well, the answers are that, our ancestors had really implanted many scientific benefits of visiting temples. Here we make a humble approach to share the knowledge that we gained though self-learning, teachings, preaching and of course Wikipedia.

The historical annals on Indian temples date backs to 2nd and 3rd century B .C. Temples did not exist during Vedic period. The practice of casting images of deities mentioned in the Vedic mantras might have come into vogue by the end of Vedic period. The Yajnasala of Vedic period got metamorphosed into temples by epic period owing to the influence of cults of devotion.

A Hindu temple consists of an inner sanctum, the Garbha Griha or the womb-chamber, in which the image or the deity is housed. From the square shape of the Garbha Griha to the finial (which is a point) is the Shikara (Gopura) . This curved form is identified in modern times as the step-pyramid. The Shikara normally refers to the superstructure of the sanctum sanctorum and is the most important part of the temple. The dome (Stupi or Kalasa) is mounted on the Shikara. The Juathaskambam is the very first and the tallest pillar we notice in the temple entrance.

The science behind these constructions is that, the temple architecture gives cosmic energy to the main deity in the Garbha Griha.

Firstly, the Juathaskambam acts like an antenna and receives the cosmic energy from the space and through an underground channel it is connected to the main deity in the Garbha-graha. The cosmic energy constantly flows through the Jathuskambam to the idol and energies the it.

Secondly, the celestial power drawn through the dome gives the deity effulgence and metaphysical powers. The cosmic-energy is further maintained by sound waves (Vedic chants) and the pyramid like tomb. The pyramid like structure helps to amplify and preserve the cosmic energy.

These are the reasons for anyone to feel a positive energy, goodness, calmness or divinity when we approach the inner sanctum.

The deity is washed with various materials (milk, sandal paste, oil) to maintain the idols. The deity is decorated with flowers and ornaments for psychological and visual boost. But the various postures of the deity (sitting/standing, number of hands, weapons they hold) do have significance in emitting the cosmic energy.

Thus the temples serve as the scientific space to receive the shower of cosmic energy or God’s blessings. We hope after reading this when you enter a temple you will scientifically appreciate our culture and rituals and rear our next generation with proper scientific explanation instead of insisting them to follow our rich heritage blindly.