Letter to You
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“Let us make education the biggest issue”
Dear Friends
The Spirit of Gandhiji's Non-Violent Movement was revived by the students of Patna for the first time since Independence, in January 2005, through prayers, fasting and tiffin boycott for the speedy release of Kislay. The people of India had forgotten all about the weapon of non-violence which was so instrumental in bringing us independence. The weapon of prayers and fasting had to be wielded for 15 days before success could be achieved. As we savour the fruits of success, our responsibilities seem to have multiplied.
Oxygen...a movement has been organizing
discussions in Delhi, Patna and other cities on the topic “Expectations
from educated people and the education system” to make the issue of
education a priority for all the sections of the society. We are also
concerned about the growing complexes among students and the huge gap
between the so called 'good schools' and 'bad schools'. On the one hand
there are lacks of children who are unable to receive primary education,
hence we can barely expect anything from them, and on the other there are
those well educated children who might grow up to become high ranked
officials and hold important posts. Unfortunately though, we cannot expect
much from these people too. The educated commit bigger crimes than the
uneducated. They take bribes and are involved in huge scams, as if its
education that had provided them with the skills to become better
criminals! Thus we find that both the educated and the uneducated fall in
the same category, something that is strictly unacceptable in a society.
Around 80,000 students from different schools have participated in 280
discussion held over the past three year. In these discussions
children from urban areas raise the issue of rural education. They express
their concern over the poor quality of education and lesser number of
teaching days in most village schools. At the end of the discussion
students choose three leaders- first , second and third who will take this
movement forward and make education the biggest issue.
The idea behind the whole procedure is to imbibe values such as sharing
and caring among students, motivate them to work for the deprived sections
of society and to inculcate moral values in them through deeds, instead of
words. Students have started a weekly newsletter which is published
every Sunday with the weekly circulation of 18,000 copies. Many students
are preparing greeting cards which are available for sale at
various shops. The money generated by it goes to the students for paying
their school fee. Kindly promote these cards which cost Rs. 18/- each.
Once-a-week Khadi movement- There are thousands and thousands of people
working day and night in small scale industries and their efforts go all
in vain because we, the common people, prefer manufactured products from
international companies over meticulously done hand-made ones. The hard
work of these laborious people does not even reward them with access to
education just because we refuse to use their hand made products. By using
eco-friendly cottage industry products, we can not only ensure a better
environment but also avail these people in getting education in return of
their hard work.
Monday evening fast - We are alive because we consume the food grains our
farmers produce for us. They, in turn, are dying because of lack of money,
amenities and most importantly, education. As a gesture of concern for our
farmers, we keep a fast on every Monday evening to peacefully and
consistently protest against this unjust condition of theirs. This fast is
the simplest way in which anyone can join hands with us and make
themselves heard in the acknowledgement of this important issue that
usually goes neglected.
“Bacche man ke sacche, we are all aware of this beautiful song. We believe
that every child is born pure, with no hatred and ill feelings against
anyone but growing up in this society, he begins to change and shed that
childhood innocence. He starts differentiating himself from others and
moulds himself according to the existing system. He becomes a part of the
system, only to find out later that the system he belonged to was a
corrupt one. He tries to change himself once again and might be successful
in doing so...........but what about the 'system'? Who will change the
system? Isn't everyone suffering because of it? It is our duty to try to
change the system so that no one else suffers because of it in the future.
We request you to be a part of this movement and expect your co-operation
at every level. You can extend your support in following ways-
a.) Being a resource person in the movement
b.) Co-ordinating with
various people
c.) Subscribing to the Oxygen newsletter
d.) Joining once a week khadi movement and Monday evening fast
e.)
Promoting greeting cards made by students to meet their fee, and f.)
Sponsoring the movement.
Sponsorers will get following benefits:
1). Branding space in Oxygen newsletter which has circulation of
18,000/week 2). Web space at www.oxygenamovement.org , the movement site
visited by thousands students, well wishers and contributors and 3).
Satisfaction of fulfilling the social responsibilities.
Expecting your support,
Binod Singh
Convener
Kindly suggest me on 09312813193 or 09835024536. |
Binod Singh
Convener |
