The Hindu today reported of a coaching centre called Super 30, founded by Mr. Anand Kumar of Patna, that coaches and trains 30 kids hailing from poor households each year and helps them crack the IIT-JEE test. The coaching is free and Mr. Kumar further provides accommodation and food depending upon the student's needs. There is an entrance test to get in and be a part of Super 30 itself.
This year all 30 students of the Super 30 cracked the said entrance. Wooah!
When I was younger, we had what we called the "TIIT" types in every class. The "Trying for IIT" types. Basically our version of geeks. In other words the bespectacled, unshaven sideburns fading away into skin near the jawline, I.E. Irodov is GOD!! and never use deodorant types. They made for good laughs occasionally. And they still do. (But we were never cruel to them. I swear. In fact my good friend TJ Eckleberg was a cheerleader of sorts amongst the TIITs in our batch!)
But endevours like that of the Super 30 leave me in awe. Its almost like that one entrance test is the only purpose in the lives of a bunch of 17-19 year olds. Its like a matter of life and death to them. The only way out of their poverty and the baggage that it brings with itself. These kids have 16 hour study days for 2 years before appearing for the exam. That leaves 8 hours in a day to eat, sleep, shit and shag. Fuck.
The thought of hedging one's existence to a single academic test is something I find terribly disturbing. Especially since I've never really worked hard for one. No wonder I've failed many. But then again I've been fortunate on many counts and have never needed to clear an exam but for the sake of promotion. But I wonder what its like to have so much pinned on one goddamn test. And after 5 years of college armed with the knowledge that at least 80% of the people doing the corrections are bloody idiots themselves, the same thought is scary as well. Very scary.
The thought of hedging one's existence to a single academic test is something I find terribly disturbing. Especially since I've never really worked hard for one. No wonder I've failed many. But then again I've been fortunate on many counts and have never needed to clear an exam but for the sake of promotion. But I wonder what its like to have so much pinned on one goddamn test. And after 5 years of college armed with the knowledge that at least 80% of the people doing the corrections are bloody idiots themselves, the same thought is scary as well. Very scary.
Here's wishing the Bihar Super 30 the best in all their years to come and hoping they turn out as good people as they are students of science.
2 comments:
what the hell does "cheerleader of sorts" mean?
saala i resent being involved with this post.
means you can't escape your past fucker ..
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