The need to distinguish between literacy and education

Recognizing the difference between a tool and its application is critical in using knowledge. It is not unusual to come across a system in which one can see significant strides made in developing the tool but very little development in its use. Often there is confusion in using the terms literacy and education. Literacy is the tool to be used in its application, education. Attaining 100% literacy does not mean gaining significant levels of education. Education involves more than reading, writing and arithmetic. An important component of education is critical thinking and developing strategies on how to use the knowledge gained through the use of literacy. Once the literary component of the educational process has been achieved – the system has to start training individuals on the application.

Obama's speech in Cairo

Listening to Obama is absolutely refreshing after eight years of disappointment. He is not only thoughtful in comments but extremely articulate. Does his experience as an academic Professor contributed to these characteristics? Most probably. Whatever the reason, it is doing a lot of good to the world.

Continuing educations for physicians in India

I am currently working on organizing a conference on clinical genetics in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India. There is an enormous amount of new information generated every day in the field of clinical genetics. To keep oneself up to date with the most current information, one has to have access to information, via publications. Continuing education is also important. In this regard, my observation is that practicing physicians in many parts of India do not participate in scientific conferences. This could be because they do not like to travel for such conferences. It could also be because they are not provided with adequate time and financial resources to participate in scientific meetings. I wonder if this is because administrators do not realize the importance of ensuring that physicians employed by the government to provide medical services to the citizens have to keep up with contemporary information. Granted, that many of the medical services are “routine” and ones does not need to acquire new information. However, genetics, which play a crucial role in many disorders seen in affluent societies (such disorders are on the increase in India), requires that clinicians have to be provided with opportunities to keep abreast of current information. Alternatively, clinicians themselves have to take an active role in organizing conferences locally and make an effort to keep up with the ever increasing information in the field of clinical genetics. Will it be different in a decade or so in India, when as in developed countries, clinicians will be actively participating in scientific conferences and using the information from such conferences in their daily practice to provide their patients with the best possible care?

Mother's Day 2009

I know it is rather late to write about Mother's Day, a whole week late. I have been meaning to write about it. I acknowledge that it is a contemporary holiday with strong commercial interests. This year on Mother’s Day, CNN John King in his show “State of the Union” had a segment in which a mother who is serving in the U.S. Army in Iraq was interviewed and was given the opportunity to talk with her two children back home in the U.S. The 6 year old daughter was asked what she would have done for her mother if she was home. The little girl replied, “Make pancakes with berries”. That was very touching. I wonder how many mothers and children were in that position, being away from their small children, in very difficult circumstances not because of their choice.

Slumdog Millionaire and the 2009 Oscar

Hollywood is getting ready for the Academy award ceremonies to be held tomorrow at the Kodak theatre. Without doubt this is going to be a sensational show with the incredible reviews for Slumdog Millionaire (SM). I have never heard this much of discussions about any movie as in the case of SM. I have been taking an informal poll of what viewers thought about the movie. I must say it is wide range of opinions. These include - violent, funny, sad, very fast moving, engaging and happy. As for the music by A.R. Rahman, fans of Rahman in India will be happy to know that Californians who have never heard his music before SM, are buying the CD of music from SM! All this appreciation for this movie and the music is truly phenomenal.
Yesterday I learned that the youngest stars of the movie are travelling from Mumbai to California. I presume they will participate in the award ceremonies. I hope this arrangement to have the young actors participate in the celebrations is a reflection of what is due to them as part of the team in the production of the movie and not because of the controversy about the movie among some quarters in India. I will be watching the ceremonies tomorrow and am very hopeful that SM will indeed win awards in more than one category - becauee - as an acquaintance of mine said "Hollywood likes movies that are different".

Barak Obama's inauguration

What a sight! The swearing in of the 44th President of the United States - Barak Obama! It is indeed fascinating to be a witness to this amazing expression of democracy. I am excited not because Obama is an African American - but because of his truly presedential personality - intelligence, wisdon, humility and charm. After 8 years, Americans can finally hold our heads high and be proud of what citizens in a true democracy can do to bring chance.

Pondering during the final days of 2008

The end of 2008 is fast approaching. The world has had to grapple with numerous serious issues. To start with the economic and financial situation is very serious. What are the consequences of this situation that the world is facing? I have always felt that economic dissatisfaction is invariably associated with social unrest. Does anybody know what needs to be done to avert such problems? Talking about enacting policies to address the econoic issues may help to some extent. In that respect I hope the activities of the President elect Obama will have some effect not only in the U.S. but around the world.
The unfortunate incident in Mumbai the day before Thanksgiving, in which innocent people lost their lives was another unforgettable event of 2008. What is the role of economic dissatisfaction in the actions of the perpetrators ? There is undoubtedly some role that dire economic situation plays in the self esteem of any individual. The world needs to pay attention to the economic and educational needs of as many of the world citizens as possible for the security of all.
Steve Lopez, a columnist for the Los Angeles Times, often writes stories that touch your heart. In 2005 he wrote about Nathaniel Anthony Ayers, a homeless musician with schizophrenia who sleeps each night on one of skid row's most dangerous streets http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-lopez-skidrow-nathaniel-series,0,1456093.special. Today's paper has another such story - one about a homeless mother and daughter who live in ther car in a parking lot in Southern California. To add to the situation the daughter suffers from high risk acute leukemia http://www.latimes.com/news/columnists/la-me-lopez21-2008dec21,0,6262927,full.column. This is happening in a wealthy, developed nation. Is this happening because of some kind of inadequacy on the part of the system or despite the adequacies in the system? The human psyche is so complex that one has has to accept the fact that society can do only that much to help some in need of help. Develpoing resources to circumvent traditional modes of delivering help to such individuals and ensuring their safety is absolutely critical.