Prof Bhushan feels we have spent enough and more time in complaining about the ways of today’s youth. It’s time we take their productivity into consideration!
The statement that the largest segment of our population lies within the youth bracket has been repeated so often that we are almost sick of it. That feeling, however, cannot take us away from the fact.
The problem is not just the youth, it is far beyond, in the perception others hold of the youth. These days it has become extremely easy to look at the negatives and focus on how things should not be, rather than focussing on the positives. That is what Prof Bhushan is bothered about.
“Whoever I come across or interact with, seems to be complaining about the ways of the youth. Either they are not focussed or they are too materialistic, or they are just plain not bothered,” he says, adding, ” I do not believe these points in totality. I have faith in our younger generation, since, after all, it is us who have trained them! We need to have a little trust.” And according to him, the only way to make a person trustworthy, is to trust him.
Prof Bhushan goes on to give the example of his grandson, who, he says, is up until late every day. “By late, I mean 3 am. But almost every day, he is getting his work done, seldom is he wasting his time. Why should I complain? he questions. He says that as long as the youth is on the right track, the older generation should not complain about their ways and habits. If the right values are instilled in the youngsters, it will pay off, he believes It is due to this reason that Prof Bhushan is able to keep pace with his students and is able to connect with them. He is able to guide and mentor them exactly in a manner that suits them, not in an autocratic, singular, professor-like style. He believes that old school teachers need to shed their inhibitions and try and befriend their students. Prof Bhushan does not claim that one needs to be best friends with one’s students, but a friendly attitude helps.
A friendly attitude makes an educator more approachable, and he or she can fit into the role of a facilitator more easily in class.
It is true that the future of any country depends on its youth. We just have to keep a little faith that it will take us through to higher grounds.
