Do you remember when parents would force their children to study Math or Science because that was the benchmark for being intelligent! Thankfully, those days are gone, and we owe a big thanks to the recent National Education Policy that has opened up so many opportunities for the younger generation.
I am not against studying Math and Science as being a medico, I have been a Science student, but I feel that the study of humanities and liberal arts along with Science should be taken up by students. In fact, I cannot emphasize enough the importance of studying liberal arts for students as it is considered necessary for several reasons: it provides a broad and well-rounded education that goes beyond specialized technical or vocational training. Liberal arts education emphasizes critical thinking and analytical skills. Students are encouraged to analyze information, think logically, and approach problems differently. This skill set is valuable in various professional fields and everyday life. Liberal arts programs expose students to various subjects, including literature, history, philosophy, mathematics, and the sciences. This broad knowledge base helps individuals understand the interconnectedness of different disciplines and fosters a well-rounded intellectual foundation. Studying liberal arts promotes cultural awareness and understanding. Exposure to literature, art, history, and philosophy from diverse cultures helps students appreciate and navigate a globalized world with sensitivity to different perspectives. This encourages students to develop a strong sense of ethical reasoning and decision-making, essential in personal and professional contexts.
Even if your children are studying Science or disciplines like Biotechnology, Medicine, Engineering, it is important that these disciplines are intersected with subjects of Liberal Arts. Parents should also encourage their children to participate in extracurricular activities such as debates, quizzes and attend events such as literary festivals, such as the one recently hosted by Symbiosis International University.
Literary festivals play a crucial role in the cultural and intellectual landscape for celebrating literature in its various forms, including fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and more. Over the last two days, it was a literary extravaganza for us as we listened to Dr R A Mashelkar, whose lessons on management (Leapfrogging to Pole vaulting or Exprovement.. exponential growth) have been my guiding light on many occasions. We had eclectic conversations with Shri Javed Akhtar, Amb. Pavan Varma, Mr Rajat Sharma and the iconic singer Ms. Usha Uthup. However, as the e-age demands a look at the latest technological developments, we also had a vibrant and insightful discussion on Artificial Intelligence.
Therefore, the intellectual discourses at Literary festivals can contribute to a deeper understanding of societal issues, cultural nuances, and the human experience. Young people can gain insights into creative writing, hear authors discuss their experiences, and learn about the latest happenings.
I urge the younger generation to look at the world of literature with a broader outlook. Even if one is pursuing the sciences, one should not have the mindset of not looking at literature. Though I love reading Yuval Noah Harari’s books which are on evolution of Human beings where he beautifully brings in an intersection between History and Biology, as a doctor, it does not keep me away from reading the book The Tata’s by Girish Kuber. Even parents should relook at the different choices offered by a new education system in India, and appreciate the interdisciplinary approach between Science and Liberal Arts. Our collective endeavour should be to help children become global citizens who do not have a tunnel vision but wear lenses that help them see the entire world.