Success is not a destination but a path which always remains under construction!
Hi, everybody!
Let me first tell you that this is an attempt to dishonor no one. In this message, there are two parts– one is for anybody and other is mainly for the students. Though, this other part can be read by Mr.Anybody too!
So here is the first part. Knowing this fact that Mathematics is the most important of all the sciences and also the most hated subject as well, I have been in search for the reasons of the same. In my view, the way Mathematics is taught at the root level causes the main trouble to the kids when they go to the upper classes. You would all agree that in lower classes, generally a student tends to memorize the comparatively difficult problems rather than understanding the concept required for it. We have to agree that “a child is just a child”. When he scores good marks in lower classes, he feels good. Gradually he starts scoring average marks and then when he reaches to the secondary or senior classes, he finds himself in real problems. He tries very hard, he solves the questions several times, and a few times when he gets correct answers by using the incorrect methods, he learns this incorrect method. This prompts him being, in the words of one of my tenth grade student, “the victim of mis-concepts”. And the worst thing is that no one tells him about his misconceptions. It feels poor that even the people who are given the responsibility to benefit the kid with a good share of understanding of concepts, also neglect their duties. But somewhere or the other, the parents are also responsible. They must make sure that their child is under the right guidance. The parents can’t take their skin off simply by paying money.
When I started the batch for tenth class in the session 2010-2011, I had all the students who were equipped with plenty of misconceptions, many of them didn’t know even how to do basic arithmetic operations of addition, subtraction etc. One can wonder if a tenth grade student is unaware of the fact that “a large number can be subtracted from a small number”, then how come he landed in tenth class? I didn’t know what to do at that time, which way to proceed to tackle the issue? It was an uphill task for me. Still I managed to convince the kids, their parents to support me and to have patience. I assured them that - “I shall make the kids to do all the good work; I shall discuss all that they are supposed to know.” And today, when I look at my students, their current level of understanding gives a comfort to me. A few are still to come up to the mark, but I’m sure with the continuous work they will also benefit. Giving my students the mantra to do work, the continuous and dedicated work has been really helpful. I always convey to them that “no body dies due to hard work”. I make sure that they do the work in right directions and in the right manner too. For the benefit of my kids, I attempt to motivate them by discussing the life styles of various people who have achieved heights in their respective lives.
Looking back to where we were at the beginning, it feels really satisfactory at huge for our status at this juncture. It is great moment for me to share this secret with the world that I’ve been having good responses from my students.
Now, I shall talk to the students.
Dear students, I wish to share a few things about two extremely successful persons!
The first person about whom I’m going to talk is a very popular and very easily recognizable name in perhaps, every street, every corner and every home. Let me see, if I’m right or not! He is the most dedicated man towards his duties and responsibilities. “The mind went back to the 1999 Cricket World Cup in England. He had to rush back to India after losing his father midway through the event. He stayed with his family for two days, and then returned to the event to do the duty for the country and he promptly scored a century.” He is the most popular sports person of the universe. Tendulkar, yes I’m talking about Sachin Tendulkar. In his own words, he says- “I play for the love of the game.” In the words of many veteran cricketers– The key to his success is his approach to the game, his humility to learn and try to do better all the time. He sets personal goals for himself for every game though he never talks about them openly. He prepares himself physically, mentally and emotionally before every match. He diligently prepares for every match. For him, a Test match begins two days earlier. Of course, years have rolled by in a flash, Tendulkar the wonder-boy has now become the senior most citizen of not only Indian but world cricket. Yet, his work ethics and his passion for the game hasn’t diminished one bit. He remains till date, the one who spends most time at the nets and faces maximum number of balls. He never plays a loose shot even at the nets. He is focused all the time; he wants to do better all the time. In fact, I suppose with every passing day he has to beat his own records, he is in competition with none but himself– the best competition. In fact, I think there have been many players with good temperament, yet they were not as much successful. Sachin is more successful due to his commitment and focus. He never backed away from his responsibilities. Sachin’s passion is what that sets him apart from the rest. When one is passionate about his duties, hard work becomes fun and those long hours of practice sessions seem interesting and challenging rather than routine and monotonous. Only this passion has helped Sachin tighten his technique and gave him the temperament to manage his innings well. His concentration, his discipline and his unquestioned ability, all make him so much Great for all, his admirers as well the opponents! And we all know what he is today!
Now comes the other man I have talked about in above lines. He has become, at the age of 26, the youngest billionaire of the world. A book titled “The Accidental Billionaires” describes about him. A fabulous Hollywood movie called “The Social Network” based on his venture and life has been made on him. The movie is exceptionally made very well but the story it tells is much more interesting and amazing! He is Mark Zuckerberg, the founder of Facebook. He started Facebook from his college dorms six years back. Today, this privately held company is of worth $50 billion and now, more people visit the Facebook as compared to the old giant Google. When Mark founded Facebook, he never cared about making money. His main motive was to do something innovative, entrepreneurial, and most importantly, cool. At one point, he even says– “Money, or the ability to make money, doesn’t impress anyone around here at Facebook. The thing I really care about is the mission, connecting the people and making the entire world open.”
Kids, do you notice that Sachin even now spends enough time at the nets session? Can you compare it with your life? If such a great man recognizes the importance of hard work and practice, how can we neglect it? Do you notice that he loves to play cricket, shouldn’t we also like to do our work with the passion and the right character? Dears, you have to be a dreamer like Mark Zuckerberg. You also are capable of achieving heights and fulfilling the dreams of your life. Come on kids, you will enjoy being at the heights but for that you must promise yourself to do the same which the great people enjoy to do. Can you enjoy? Are we ready?
Yours OP Gupta
May 31, 2011.
