Ashutosh Thapliyal |
“ Educating the mind without educating the heart is no educations at all ”
- Aristotle
Since time immemorial, humans have been traditionally associated with identity. It’s a natural phenomenon to be part of a social network, identified by a distinct characteristic. Off late the society and younger generation is graduating towards virtual world and guided by virtual characters in particular e.g. movie stars, public personalities or sometimes even terrorists. These figures are absorbed by the young impressionable minds, so much that sometimes it becomes like an obsession and life time inspiration. The erstwhile concept of education through relations is being replaced by virtual world & so called public figures. This is a phenomenon worldwide and people are realizing the importance of virtual media both in terms of print or multi- media.
We have been conceptualizing the content of education in order to wean the support from anti-national elements. However, we have been partially successful but the complete domination of hearts & minds still seems to be a distant dream. It appears that the symbolism of defiance win over the better sense and logic. The hatred and anger is channelized by interlacing religion & politics to garner the support of common masses.
Therefore, often I ask a questions to myself, “Is the Kashmiri society looking for a role model, who fits in their aspirations?" It is a relevant subject, who is the real hero for this valley in present environment. Why are we struggling to project the real hero of Kashmiriyat?
The answer is simple, we are spreading content aiming at the minds, without feeling the heart. A symbol reflects the aspiration of the society. “Angry Young Man” of Bollywood ruled the hearts of Indian for 30 odds year, because the day to day struggle and the injustice, was aptly reflected by our “Angry Young Man”.
Today there is a need to embrace the hearts of the younger generation. As we are on the brink of technological advancement, society cannot be kept as a captive audience or led by selective topics. There has to an opening to channelize their emotions. In case, we are not able to harness, same canvas can be exploited by miscreants suiting their requirements. We need to identify and feel the pulse of the population. Else the tactics and strategy of miscreants would graduate to next level and we would only be reacting to the challenges. Let us look for these heroes, how naive they maybe, it’s our moral obligating to identity and project these heroes. All our efforts must be genuinely looking for such heroes and appreciating, as well as promoting their efforts. We only can pray that one day a real inspiration for the youth of these majestic land would be correctly identified and perceived by the “Awaam”, thereby putting a complete stop to the menace of glorifying terrorism.
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