Dear Readers,

We are starting a new interview series where we ask few questions to people who are making a difference, it can be big, it can be small it doesn’t matter what matters is their contribution to our society. It can be anyone from any walks of life and from any country. Please, do send us suggestions of people whom you think we should interview for this series.

Dr. Shobha Diwakar lives in Jabalpur, India and retired as the head of English department at C.P. Mahila Mahavidhyalaya, Jabalpur. She has published many research papers, stories, poems and essays in national, international and online journals. She contributes regularly to writerslifeline and Indian Periodical. Dr Diwakar  servers on the Advisory Board of www.writerslifeline.ca and editorial board of CLRI (contemporary literary journal India) for poetry and short story section.

1. Tell us something about yourself? 

I grew up as a child in a very loving joint family where love, comfort and traditional values were lavishly showered. It was a much secured environment where the entire family got together to pray in the evenings, light the arti, study together, play pittoo (7 tiles), cricket, hide and seek, “gilli danda,’ or stick and stone, even marbles, simple card games, learnt classical music, played tabla, harmonium, and the tanpura, besides watering the garden. In fact, as children we also started a library from which our neighboring friends borrowed books.

Since I enjoyed a very happy childhood the discipline, ideals, morals and values inculcated in my early life are deeply ingrained in me. Apart from my entire family, I am  thankful and indebted to all my teachers and guardians who have greatly influenced my life in one way or the other. They have always encouraged me to participate in dramas, concerts, carol singing, elocution contests, and state level debates, right from KG to my college life, for which I have won many prizes. During Shakespeare’s centenary celebrations, I was highly appreciated by the British visiting team in college as personifying Sir Toby Belch’s character from Twelfth Night, and Shylock, from Merchant of Venice. Later when an American team visited our college, I was chosen as the lead singer of the American National Anthem

I have always been a very dedicated, diligent, conscientious and a hardworking student, which has brought me honors. I passed my Board exams in flying colors with distinction in 4 subjects. Held merit position in BA and won the gold medal in PG by standing 1^st in order of merit from the University of Jabalpur. MP

 Lastly, I would like to add that I hate wasting time by watching TV daily soap operas, instead I prefer to read good books, or pass my leisure time in writing, tapping my toes to some good western or classical, semi classical songs, which I adore. I love listening to Jim Reeves, Nat King Cole, Pat Boone, Elvis Presley, Connie Francis, Cliff Richard, and old time favorite instrumentals like Tequila …all old beautiful Hindi  songs sung by Lata Mangeshkar, Asha Bhosle, Geeta Dutt, Sehgal, Talat Mehmood, Mukesh… and others… and gazals…

2. How has interest in fields of art and social sciences changed among students in your experience as a teacher?

Well, I retired about 8 years back but as a teacher for those long years I have noticed the gradual dwindling of students’ interest in studies, whether arts or social sciences; their aim being only to pass the examination by mugging up notes, or getting married according to their parents’ wish… education for such students is just a pastime and a passport for marriage… there may be exceptions to the rule.

Graduating and obtaining a plain B.A. degree, leaves the students frustrated as this alone does not prepare them to strive forward and stand on their own feet because they do not learn any skills at the college or school level to support themselves. Even after completing post graduation / M. Phil/ or Ph.D., students cannot become independent as there is immense unemployment. On the other hand, if the students learn some art, visual or the performing arts, they stand some chance. There is a wide scope in learning western or Indian classical dancing, learning classical, instrumental or vocal music, drawing or painting for they can run hobby classes and earn albeit, on a minor scale to meet their daily needs.

The TV has become a great attraction for parents as well as children. Talent shows such as Sa Re Ga Ma, Indian Idol, So You Think You Can Dance, Dance +, Jhalak Dikla Ja, India’s Best Dramebaaz, India’s Got Talent,( besides a host of other reality shows), offer free facilities to those who excel in these  arts / skills. Selected participants avail lodging, boarding, get free air tickets for parents/ relatives to visit them, besides tutors and coaches to sharpen their talents have become top priorities. The result is, surrounded with glamour, and name, parents feel proud of their children, as do the children who are becoming precocious,… dropouts from early school and college life to earn money and fame. The ad mad world is no less responsible for this drastic change where very, very young babes, toddlers, kids of all ages, adolescent children are ‘used’ for promoting products.

3. What would you like to change in the present education system?

Rote system of education that undermines the students’ intelligence and the examination pattern, which demands writing, mugged up answers.

 Lessons selected are long, dull, drab and uninteresting. There is no dearth of good one act plays, humorous essays, short stories, poems that can be included in the text whether Hindi or English to create interest in the students. Although Grammar is important, I have noticed too many repetitive pages of it are prescribed after every chapter in some form or the other, which the students find boring and avoid paying attention to. I feel if supplementary English and Hindi is introduced, as before, it can solve this problem.

 Lastly, in order to develop soft skills and make students’ independent, interdisciplinary fields of study should be introduced from the grass root level. Apart from the traditional art and social sciences course options available at the BA level, choices such as short hand, animation, writing skills, script writing, copy editing, photography, art of public speaking, debating, dramatics, dancing, gardening, landscaping, philatelic, agriculture, horticulture, and book binding techniques, need implementation. This will enhance attendance and interest of students who come from the villages… or from ordinary families, to establish themselves after graduation. Skill development is therefore the turning point. Joining classes outside to learn these arts is a very costly affair and not many can bear the brunt.

4. What is the mantra you live by?

 Milton rightly wrote in Paradise Lost:

The mind is its own state, and in itself

 Can make a heaven of Hell or Hell of heaven

Happiness comes from within and not from without…. “Seek, and ye shall find,” is my motto; as well as to lead a healthy, disciplined, active and a god- fearing life… always keeping the interests and demands of my family uppermost..

For me it is always:

Lead kindly light amidst the encircling gloom,

Lead thou me on,

The night is dark and I am far from home

Lead thou me on….

5. What is your message for our readers?

There are crossroads and boundaries everywhere. Ponder awhile on the pros and cons of  life and opportunities that flash before you. They come but thrice. Knock at it as you target your goal with hard work, patience and perseverance. Without struggle, you cannot achieve your feat.

Be positive; drive away all negative thoughts. Bridle your whims and fancies. When in doubt listen to that little voice inside…, your conscience or your inner voice. It can never go wrong. Stop. Look. Proceed… only then accelerate. Use your brakes and clutches God has provided you with…. Pray everyday not just when your exams are on your head.

 Keep good company, revere your teachers and mentors, and respect your parents and their infirmities just as they did yours when you were young. Count your blessings and keep Lord Mahavira’s precept in mind, “Live and Let Live.”