"We must realize that knowledge and skills, if not renewed, will soon become obsolete".
I have a bit to share on this –"renewed" and "obsolete". The Royal concern is very much genuine. But how many of us are serious with lifelong learning, and think beyond mandate and requirement. When we think, we are driven by the genetic and faulty system thinking, we are bound to become obsolete, without good knowledge and skills. Therefore, constant touch and learning of new things, adapting to change has become a must now. I am sure, genetically and by system, Bhutanese on average do not take new learning and somehow become obsolete by 50 years of age. This set an unprecedented risk for the future as it set a complacency and easy-going mindset.
My father, who is now turning 60 years old, had not only retired from farming but also submitted all his hard earned sacrifices and belongings 15 years ago. I am sure he must have become obsolete long before he thinks he can. So this kind of hereditary and family system is making us weaker and sublime in the pursuit of moving the country forward and strong. Making us hard to adopt and adapt, resilient and astute for the country. Therefore, I strongly feel that, in our system as early as 45 years of age, any individual starts to become obsolete and ruin the charm of life.
On the other hand, our youth think they can learn when they complete teens. When they come of age, they become naïve; they will beautifully decide to learn at college, then after a job, then after marriage, after kids and in their forties. But, sadly before 50 they retire from life.
When and where are we learning? When are we becoming ready to shoulder responsibility for the country?
"We must inculcate in us a culture of life-long learning".
In the winter of 2013, I was at Phuntsholing for some official duty. Nice and pleasant weather for outing for a man who came from higher altitude. Phuntsholing is a much liked place for winter outing for all walks of life –students and farmers alike who love to spend their break in the warm heat of Phuentsholing town. Jaigaon is a common place for many Bhutanese to spend their evenings –some for shopping and others for leisure.
Everytime, I make my outing around Jaigaon, I come across almost every senior Indian Shopkeeper who has gone of the age to learn with Indian Telegraph, or daily express paper in their hand. Are they simply killing their time, or updating the latest happening is up to the individual to interpret?
But to me, it gives me some good feelings on Indian learning culture. For a long time Indians have had a life-long learning culture in their genes. This is sure from their talents, wisdom and innovations.
Let me share a short conversation I had with a 73 years old cobbler.
Once I was having a good time with a cobbler in a small corner of a makeshift hut. As he was busy mending my shoes, I was quizzing him about some issues. Many pertinent things came in between and we ended up sharing vast topics. Initially, my expectation was so naive and low, but he proved me right that any Indian genes are capable and do not retire early from life. But, honestly back at home, we hardly take care of such things and imbibe lifelong learning culture.
Now, or never!
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