Perception Of Intelligence
The SSC and HSC exams are round the corner and a few months later the results will be out too. There will be varied reactions to the marks that students score. “Oh Wow!!”, will exclaimed someone for a student who would score a bit above 80 percent. For someone else who would range between 85 to 90 percent it will asserted that “The child is smart and these marks show his/her intelligence.” Appreciations will keep roaring for the 90 plus scorers and for the top crème who would manage a victorious feat of 95 percent and above.
Really? Is that the only way one can be called an achiever? Are marks the only parameter to judge a student’s personality? Is the respect someone gets is in proportion with the marks he or she obtains? But then, what about those who score less than 80 percent or lesser? And what about those who fail? Isn’t it too soon to call them a good for nothing - “dumbo”? Aren’t they too young to be labelled a failure? Do they not deserve encouragement and a second chance at success?
My mind raced with the above thoughts and, it struck to me that there are these very popular and obvious personalities like Sachin Tendulkar and Bill Gates who were school dropouts but today, they are way much more successful than probably their batch mates who scored high to be the toppers and went ahead to be doctors and engineers.
Sachin Tendulkar could not complete his 10th but then he became a popular sportsperson through his batting skills and his love for cricket. But there are many students who devote their life for sports, neglects studies but are not popular or could not reach to a mark where Sachin is today, then is that student a failure?
Same is the case with Bill Gates. He is not even a graduate yet a renowned businessman in computer technology. Was he a dumb student or now the amount he earns made him great to be recognized?
We have examples of IIT’ians failing to be good managers and administrators not only in the corporate but in the managing the country too. Does that make them less competitive or lesser intelligent then?
The above three examples were about the popular personalities known to people and they just prove that one should find out one’s own interest and one’s own strength. Not everybody is made for everything.
It really shocks me when people’s perception about intelligence matters with city or college that one studies in. We often hear people saying, “Wow, he is pursuing his engineering at Mumbai or Pune”. Or, “Wow, he is an IIM pass out”. Or, “Do you know what fees they take where she is studying?” What’s the big deal about it? Does anyone’s intelligence suffer a downfall if the person studies in a small town college? But these are the perceptions. Perceptions the society has nurtured for years and ages together. I would like to mention here that the craftsman of “India’s constitution” who marked his name in the Indian history studied but on a humble street.
Yes. It’s true that bigger cities offer faster opportunities or we can say going abroad may bring you better opportunities, but the place or city alone cannot evaluate the intelligence level. This rush of competition has killed this thought and I feel it’s time to reassure those in the smaller towns and places that, they too can have a bright future, just like their urban counterparts. Today, many a small towners from India are well placed in a highly paying job in the USA.
The current perception of the Indian society
There is a saying that says that every person is unique and to each his own. Some are gifted with sharp memory; they can remember things better than others, it has nothing to do with intelligence. It’s a god gift to the person which is used smartly by that person. Of course hard work cannot be overlooked in any case. Each and everyone who wants to enhance his qualities have to work hard in any field; whether it is sports or studies, or business or arts. Accept it that there is no shortcut to hard work. So in built talent and skills when coupled together with hard work, is bound to create wonders.
A housewife whether educated or not manages her home, does multitasking – she manages finances, kids smartly; handles daily problems, helps the kids to make marks in his or her life. She manages a home as good as a manager in any field does. Can we say that she is not intelligent enough?
An artist whether a dancer or writer, a singer or a painter may not have huge degrees, but can a painter like Leonardo da Vinci, who painted with both hands lacked any intelligence?
Everyone’s thought, everybody’s perception about intelligence is different. Everyone measures things according to their intelligence level. So be confident and make your own perceptions and believe in hard work whichever field you are in.
So, It is to be re-iterated that one can attain success, fame and respect only through being on the path of hard work and righteousness. Intelligence cannot be perceived as academic intelligence only but social intelligence, cultural intelligence and emotional intelligence contribute to one’s success as well.
KAUSHALYA SETU – Shift in Perception
NYCS is a proud training partner with Central Government’s PMKVY and Maharashtra Government’s Kaushalya Setu Abhiyan to encourage education and ensure a bright future for anyone irrespective of the grades. Skilling the students in addition to their traditional curriculum will equip them in discovering hidden talent. It is all about shifting our perspectives of intelligence. It is all about providing opportunities to everyone to excel.
Skill Development Mission in India is gaining momentum. I feel privileged to be a part of a team that is dedicated to bring light to those with undiscovered talents.
At NYCS, We want to tap the potential of each child who is considered a failure and converting him or her as an asset by empowering them with an avenue to discover the hidden skills in them through a skill based programme.
With the view of not wasting an academic year for these students, a six month skill development course structure is introduced to them at the end of which they get a certificate for the skill acquired. An aptitude test is conducted for the students before admitting them to the programme to find out their inclination towards any particular interest and presenting them with career options that would aptly reflect their abilities.
This six month curriculum emphasizes more on practical knowledge and has 80% weightage to practicals and 20% weightage to theory, thus making them fit for employment immediately.
NYCS believes that education is a fundamental human right and should be available to everyone who wants to exercise it. With Kaushalya Setu, one can re-start his/her journey towards a better and secured future with dignity and worth. The program makes them move ahead confidently towards multiple options of employment, self-employment and higher education.