We are hearing about human beings colonising Planet Mars, the nearest to Earth, at a future date. Travel time between the two Planets, currently being close to ten months, is beyond the comprehension of lay people. While teams with rich experience and knowledge in the field of space exploration have many landmark achievements to their credit, starting from orbiting the Earth, landing men on Moon, living in outer space for extended periods and now taking a close look at conditions on Mars that may support life of human beings, the issues of life’s compulsions and challenges on Earth in days ahead cannot be sidelined. Children of the present generation have to be nurtured, enabling them to brave the hardships that they are bound to experience, given the volatility of conditions supporting and threatening survival of all life forms — human beings, plants, flora and fauna on the cusp of extinction. No duty other than preparing the children of today to be people of posterity as members of an ideal society deserves concern and pro-active measures on priority.
Guru Purnima has been observed across the land early this week, once again bringing the teacher fraternity to public glare. The sayings of society’s leading lights stress on the duty of teachers towards their pupils by moulding their mind without loading with information aimed at scoring high marks and passing exams.
