Educating the mind

Offcourt

Good health and scientific temperament are the essential for growth of an individual. That is why many successful corporate groups emphasise on their executives’ health through regular work-out programmes. Yoga is also a recognised form of health package that has not been contested on the ground of religion. However, when certain state governments, like MP, fail to impart scientific knowledge on students, they seek to thrive on religious mantras at frequent intervals.

First, the students suffered due to the state’s decision to make the rendition of Vande Matram compulsory in schools. Now, it wants to make Surya Namskar compulsory.
Muslims have a problem in adhering to this diktat. They say Surya Namaskar and recital of Hindu religious verses is against Islam. They have pleaded with Governor Balram Jakhar to “safeguard their religious beliefs”.

The state HC, recognising the constitutional mandate that religion can’t be enforced on the citizens, has also restrained the state government from making ‘Surya Namskar’ and certain recital embodied with it, compulsory. The SC has already held that citizens whose religion doesn’t permit bowing before any authority, be it even the National Flag, can’t be forced to sing the National Anthem.

State governments, irrespective of their political lineage, have failed in providing health care and nutritious food to the children. Some are reluctant to provide an atmosphere conducive to scientific learning in the fast moving world. Children could be seen abstaining from their schools and selling liquor, cigarettes and cheap addictives on the roadside kiosks. The police don’t take cognizance of blaring loud speakers.

If judicial temperament is must for a good judge, scientific temperament is important for making a citizen be able to cope with the challenges in store for kids in the years ahead. Efficacy of Surya Namaskar in this regard is disputed, but there’s no doubt that good education needs an attentive presence of mind.