In Dec-Jan, nearly one crore postcards were sent by schoolchildren to the Prime Minister, outlining their vision for India@2047
When you acknowledge uncertainty, yet through an exploratory and creative process you think up various possibilities, even project and predict the likelihood of an unknown future, you are ‘future thinking’. You may speculate that students of a school education system, which is sometimes targeted for being based on rote-learning, cannot possibly be expected to look past the present and offer views on an unfamiliar future or an unseen past. Well, our nation’s children just proved all such assumptions wrong.
At an event to mark the 75th year of Independence — in a joint initiative of three departments: School Education, Posts and Culture — children from across the length and breadth of the country, studying in grades 4 to 12, were encouraged to write postcards to the PM on two themes — “Unsung heroes of our freedom struggle”, and “My vision for India in 2047”.
It is estimated today that almost 50 crore postcards are written annually in India. Of these, over one crore postcards were sent by children to a single address in December-January — that of the Prime Minister! This overwhelming response by children was warmly acknowledged by the PM in Mann Ki Baat when he carefully read out some of the postcards and discussed their essence.
I am attempting here to similarly mention the highlights of what the PM called as children’s Mann Ki Baat. Unsung heroes have been discussed by children with a great deal of pride in their contribution and sacrifice for our freedom. “Matangini Hajra, an Indian revolutionary, took part in the Civil Disobedience Movement and was arrested for challenging the Salt Act. Though she did not receive formal education, she was an inspiration to many women to participate in the freedom struggle,” writes a child. Another says that we are slowly forgetting our heroes such as Tara Rani, Tirot Singh, Durgabai Deshmukh; therefore, we must dedicate one day of the nation every year to remember these “Gumnaam nayaks”. A student has dedicated her entire postcard to Captain Lakshmi Sahgal of the Azad Hind Fauj. Many children have written about Durgabai Deshmukh, Birsa Munda, Pingali Venkayya, Nani Bala Devi, Kunwar Pratap Singh Barhath, Kamaladevi Chattopadhyaya, Madanlal Dhingra, Munidev Tyagi, Vishwanath Das, Bhikaji Cama and Hiraji Gomaji Patil.
A student has elaborated the role of Bhima Bai Holkar and mentioned that she defines the true definition of: “One may die for an idea, but that idea after the death will incarnate itself in a thousand lives.”
Quite a few children have written about child heroes, too, such as about the “Bal balidaan” by Nayak Shirish Kumar of Maharashtra and the heroic Kanaklata Barua, also known as Birbala, who was shot dead at the age of 17 when she hoisted the National Flag at the local police station.
To be able to imagine the country 25 years hence is no mean task. We adults sometimes find it difficult to visualise that, but these children have shown a clear vision for India @2047. An eighth-grade student foresees India as “fully literate, harmonious and self-sufficient”. He says: “My vision for India is full of nature and heritage. Humanity and love prevail everywhere. My country will be the best place to live in — heaven on earth.” A child studying in fifth grade poignantly envisions an India “free from poverty, unemployment, corruption, pollution, ill-health, terrorism, gender discrimination and food shortage”.
Many children have expressed that they are greatly influenced by the ‘Make in India’ initiative. A girl child from ninth grade writes: “The Make in India symbol has lightened a proud fire within my heart. I want to roar out to all of India’s sons to come back and work for her.” Says a primary school student: “We will witness a country so powerful, yet so united.” Views of a class seven student: “In 2047, my country should be using only eco-friendly products; farmers should use much more technology and women should be respected everywhere.” A girl child writes: “Our country has to become one of the largest economies in the world, which is food-sufficient and a carbon-free, eco-friendly and plastic-free nation.” Children have also written about an India that will regain its legacy of music and dance.
Then there are children who have let their scientific temperament and imagination really flow. Children have written about developing high capabilities for space, an eminent position in the field of astronomy, Chandrayaan-2 and a research base on the moon, and transforming Mars to make it habitable for humans. Quite a few children have written about achieving 100 per cent literacy and becoming the most literate country in the world. A child hopes that “yoga, ayurveda and agriculture shall become part of the school curriculum”. Many have visualised an India where women will be safe and “equal to men”, and a clean and green country “where every citizen throws garbage only in dustbins”.
Children have also written about a country where every drop of water shall be used judiciously. The manner in which we learn from our past and the choices that we make today will create the future of our dreams. These children have convinced us that our future is indeed in safe hands.
(The writer is the Secretary, Ministry of Education, Government of India. The views expressed are personal.)