Literature is the writer’s state of mind and feelings, put
down in words for others to comprehend, and achieve (almost) the same state.
And in few cases impressive literature can act as catalyst to take the
imagination forward to a higher state. In so many languages of the world, we
have had so many famous writers, igniting the fires of imagination in so many minds.
I was born in a part of India where the focus of education
was on Mathematics and Sciences. The reasons were Economic as Engineers and
Doctors were in the well-paid jobs of then and near future. My father being an
Engineer made me focus more on these, but during the long summer vacation he
changed the focus to languages like English, Hindi and Sanskrit. So with
practice I started doing well on languages during early 5th-6th
grades. And by 8th 9th and 10th grades when we
were exposed to famous Literature in English and Hindi I was able to grasp the
nuances of poetry and prose. And more important I started appreciating Literature.
When I was 18, with an interesting twist of fate, I started
my Engineering education in former USSR, and started learning Russian, which
was my new medium of education. We (me and other foreign students) picked
Russian fast and for next 6 years it was all Russian, spoken and written and
heard.
In those years I noticed something interesting. All those
foreign students who were good in verbal and written communication in their
native languages, proved to be excellent in the new language as well. This boosted
their social confidence, and gave them the necessary tools to interact with
people and explain their point of view easily. This eventually gave them an
edge in education, getting better grades and recognition in the university.
It’s not surprising that most of the students with top grades in Languages, were the ones with the most top grades in Computer Science.
And much later in profession I started noticing the
importance of Communication skills. And as you grow in profession the need of
superior Communication skills increase. Well it’s the other way if you see
carefully. If you do not have superior Communication skills you have difficulty
in growing and sustaining.
The need eventually is in connecting with the various minds
around, learning from them, influencing them and leaving an impression.
Language is like the special wire, which connects ignited minds, which can get
the energy from outside, create own, and charge many other minds.
So for our kids, it’s wiser to focus early on the Languages
and rich global Literature we have access to. Give them the wires to connect to
the world, and they will know what’s best for them and the minds around.
Mahtab Syed
Bangalore, 07 Dec 2013
