Editorial:
The Gangtok lad featured extensively in today’s edition is devoted such elaborate coverage to underline his remarkable feat in pursuing his passion to a fairy-tale debut. In an environment of ingrained despondency and cynicism, Prajwal’s commitment and optimism become necessary traits to bolster among the youth.
While these should be common character attributes among the young, they are noticeably muffled in young circles nowadays. As Prajwal proves, if nurtured properly, these qualities can propel Sikkim youth to excellence at all levels and across myriad fields. Prajwal, after all, is not alone in having proven so, and many young Sikkimese, through the generations, have reflected pride on the State and its people with their distinction. From Danny Denzongpa to Bhaichung Bhutia to Dr. Ajeya Adhikari [an Accuracy Orthopaedic Surgeon celebrated in the UK as the “Robodoc”], to Tarundeep Rai, Sikkim has had exceptional achievers in every generation. The numbers, however, have not been consistent to the potential.
This is not about being patronising or provincial, but fact remains that the Sikkim has collectively and consistently failed in allowing its young to rise to their potential. When capacities are left undeveloped, they are replaced by the despair which is so disturbingly common among the young nowadays. Isn’t it ironic that in a State that has produced a Bhaichung does not have playgrounds in every colony or professionally run sports programmes in every school? Does it not confound reason that Sikkim has to offer English-speaking courses as a capacity-building effort when the only medium of education in the State is English? What does one make of the fact that despite always knowing that it sits in an earthquake prone area, school constructions were so shoddy that a medium intensity [6.8 is medium] left 642 school buildings damaged, 105 of them collapsed? It is with these failures that the State lets down its young and it is with these compromises that it holds them back. And yet, remarkably, Sikkim is routinely treated to headlines like Prajwal has made in the latest instance. And this is why every single instance of such excellence needs to be celebrated.
The earthquake setback notwithstanding, the State, for the past many years, has consciously sought to look out for the young with schemes like the special scholarships, capacity building and a revamp of the educational system. While the policy has been clear and the intent obvious, the delivery on ground leaves much to be desired. The officials who handle the related files should perhaps be reminded that if they deliver with diligence, Sikkim will have more Prajwals, more Bhaichungs and more Dannys. And what is more, it will have more forward-looking youth...
The Gangtok lad featured extensively in today’s edition is devoted such elaborate coverage to underline his remarkable feat in pursuing his passion to a fairy-tale debut. In an environment of ingrained despondency and cynicism, Prajwal’s commitment and optimism become necessary traits to bolster among the youth.
While these should be common character attributes among the young, they are noticeably muffled in young circles nowadays. As Prajwal proves, if nurtured properly, these qualities can propel Sikkim youth to excellence at all levels and across myriad fields. Prajwal, after all, is not alone in having proven so, and many young Sikkimese, through the generations, have reflected pride on the State and its people with their distinction. From Danny Denzongpa to Bhaichung Bhutia to Dr. Ajeya Adhikari [an Accuracy Orthopaedic Surgeon celebrated in the UK as the “Robodoc”], to Tarundeep Rai, Sikkim has had exceptional achievers in every generation. The numbers, however, have not been consistent to the potential.
This is not about being patronising or provincial, but fact remains that the Sikkim has collectively and consistently failed in allowing its young to rise to their potential. When capacities are left undeveloped, they are replaced by the despair which is so disturbingly common among the young nowadays. Isn’t it ironic that in a State that has produced a Bhaichung does not have playgrounds in every colony or professionally run sports programmes in every school? Does it not confound reason that Sikkim has to offer English-speaking courses as a capacity-building effort when the only medium of education in the State is English? What does one make of the fact that despite always knowing that it sits in an earthquake prone area, school constructions were so shoddy that a medium intensity [6.8 is medium] left 642 school buildings damaged, 105 of them collapsed? It is with these failures that the State lets down its young and it is with these compromises that it holds them back. And yet, remarkably, Sikkim is routinely treated to headlines like Prajwal has made in the latest instance. And this is why every single instance of such excellence needs to be celebrated.
The earthquake setback notwithstanding, the State, for the past many years, has consciously sought to look out for the young with schemes like the special scholarships, capacity building and a revamp of the educational system. While the policy has been clear and the intent obvious, the delivery on ground leaves much to be desired. The officials who handle the related files should perhaps be reminded that if they deliver with diligence, Sikkim will have more Prajwals, more Bhaichungs and more Dannys. And what is more, it will have more forward-looking youth...
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