THE FUTURE IS IN SAFE HANDS

This is a story which made me think.

Some friends of mine and I go to a school to teach each saturday for one hour. We do not teach the children any academic curriculum but the main aim is to get them acquainted with the rest of the world which doesnt even exist for them. Some may call it 'social work', I think it is nothing but mental satisfaction.

Nothing is more satisfactory than seeing their amazed eyes and hearing their 'oohs' and 'aahs' when they see a picture of the Pyramid of Giza or a video of the Great Wall of China.

After the hour we meet and discuss what we have taken and take tips about what else we can teach the children.

At one such meeting a trustee sir came to meet us later. He was in his late sixtees. It was something which he said that remained in my mind long after we had dispersed from there.

He said that we are doing a great job. Finding time from our already busy schedules and coming there to teach the future generation was commendable on our part. We have taken a good initiative and we we should continue doing so.

'Looking at the present generation, I was always afraid' he said. 'What will happen to the country after us. Seeing the present IT boom, people not getting time for even their spouses, I would seriously wonder what would happen to this country with the rich-poor gap widening, But looking at you, seeing the efforts you are putting in selflessly, I can definitely say that the country's future is in good hands'.

This sentence had an astounding effect on us. Somebody trusting us with the country's future? Had we really done anything at all?

But come to think of it, this generation is really conscious of what is going on in the country and what the country needs. There are so many people working for the betterment of the country in different sectors. People help NGOs to form self-help groups for women, go to teach children in slums, try to keep the environment clean by actually, manually cleaning dustbins,rivers etc.

Agreed the pollution has increased, the rivers have become more polluted, natural resources are slowly depleting, but todays generation is taking steps to rectify the problems faced. Maybe the steps taken are small but going in the right direction.

Todays generation is not just going to the pubs, drinking and smoking. Its also helping to make the country grow.

After all this whenever i see my younger sister going to MACD in 9th and 10th std when we didnt even know what it was at the same age, carrying mobile phones in school, having treats and parties, I keep my mouth shut and dont say anything. After all I am sure that they will also be responsible like the present generation and I am sure I will also say... The future is in safe hands....