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My Column 15-07-2025

My column 15–0 7–2025

Shashank Purandare

It has been some time since I wrote my last column . Like almost everybody else, I have been down with viral infection for almost all of last month with few gaps in between. Thankfully, I am cured now. But have a lot of weakness. I think this is the story of almost 50% of the population at least in Mumbai. Apart from viral fever people are suffering from dengue malaria or typhoid. Please take care.

I read a shocking report on the state of education in the country . It show that almost 50% of standard six students in the country lack basic skills of identifying alphabets and struggle with numbers. This shows very poor quality of education in our country. Sadly, the authorities are doing nothing about this. The quality of teachers in schools remains poor. Good teachers are frustrated because of the conditions of the schools. Unless we find a solution to this alarming situation our country will suffer in coming years.

There is another report which talks about the disconnect between what is taught in schools and what is required in real life. Most of the things taught in schools are largely irrelevant when it comes to practical jobs. This is another area we need look into.

I am not an educationist, but from whatever I have seen in the kids around and from my recent visits to some of the schools, it is essential that something needs to be done urgently. After reading my columns, a teacher came to me seeking my help in such matters. Sadly, I lack any kind of authority in educational matters and I am ill equipped to deal with such things. Anyone who has such an authority should take up these matters. I can only point out flaws in the system as I perceive them.

After reading the newspapers and watching the news channels, it seems that nothing ever changes in this country . Politicians are going on in their old merry ways, caring very little about public at large. They are busy promoting their own self at the cost of public money. Every other day, statues are being built which are of little relevance to anybody. Nobody cares about the accidents, the murders,the abuse of public servants by politicians at will. Public money is being splurged on stupid official functions and nobody is accountable. Every good step that the government is trying to take is opposed immediately by vested interests. Projects are being blocked.

We have had a very good monsoon so far . In spite of that, the cry for loan waiver for farmers continues. This situation is not tenable.

There was an instance of broker buying grains from the farmers below MSP fixed by the government and then selling it to the Government collection centers at MSP , pocketing the difference running into lakhs of rupees. Of course, this was done with the involvement of politicians. There are a large number of cases of politicians brutally assaulting public servants. Most of the politicians go unpunished in such cases.

I can go on. But sadly, I doubt if anyone reads, cares or is willing to do something about it.

Shashank Purandare 15/07/2025