IS BEING LITERATE SUFFICENT TO BE CALLED LIFE PURPOSEFUL AND RECALL AS WORTHWHILE?
A few days back, I attended a gathering, wherein one of the guests asked me that what I am doing to which I answered that I am studying to which she countered me by saying what degree am I pursuing and I answered that I am pursuing Masters in Political Science. After this, I found an eerie look as if my degree is futile and having a degree in Social Sciences is as if a Crime and a degree in Science or Commerce is something that will let society and people call you wise or worthwhile. After seeing the reaction, I was astonished to see that still such avenues are happening in Kashmir and people still feel that being a doctor or Engineer is something precious or prestigious or to be called educated or qualified. In Kashmir, we still have this dilemma that having a Dr. before your name or one being able to grab a government job is something that will let you call a person with caliber, wit and rationality. It is amusing! But it is what it is. The society we live in needs to have a pragmatic approach and people should start accepting the reality and change with changing times.
After this futile and obnoxious conversation, I introspected, Is this the real meaning of Education? One should be able to grab a government job than would be respected in society-? Then only one would be considered having wisdom and rationality.
It is a matter of fact. This is where we still stand today in Kashmir, where we as Kashmiri people are not able to differentiate between Literacy and Education. Education is a lifelong process. It enables an individual to characterize things as moral and ethical. It arouses in human beings’ analytical ability, reason and critical thinking. Therefore, One’s educational qualification holds a say as it talks about the experience, learnings and the journey that one had but cannot define one in a holistic way as Education is a part of the being not the entire being. One’s educational qualification can be something different and profession can be different that does not in any means say that one won’t be successful. There is a different dimension to it as well as an individual thinks in multi-dimensional manner and likes/choices are different as every other person has a different story to tell. One can achieve dreams, prosperity and success through passion, perseverance and patience. Just as Ms. Kriti Sanon. She is one of the successful Bollywood Actresses. Now, Actor turned Entrepreneur. She holds a degree in electronics and telecommunication has no MBA but built a brand named HYPEN which is running successfully (annual revenue- 400 crore as of Aug 2025).
Mr. Mukesh Ambani does not hold any MBA. He is a Chemical Engineer by qualification still ranks as the richest person in Asia and is among top 20 richest people in the world.
Mr. Arnab Goswami is a prominent Indian Journalist and Television News Anchor who holds Master’s Degree in Social Anthropology and Bachelor’s in Sociology from Hindu College. He is founder, Managing Director and Editor in Chief of Republic Media Network.
Mr. Gautam Adani is a college dropout, who left his B. Com at Gujrat University in his 2nd Year to pursue Business and today is ranked as 2nd richest person in India and Asia.
In my understanding, what Education does is that it entails an individual with reason, rationality, respect and ratiocination. It is a learning process which is never ending. Therefore, education as a substance and reference should be appreciated and applauded. As a rational being, one should never get involved in stereotypes and prejudices as they are created by a certain specific spectrum of people in order to define their means and satisfy their fragile ego.
Education is a ray of hope from the subdue darkness. It enables an individual to distinguish between what’s right and what’s wrong. It widens the intellectual ability, broadens the horizon to think for an individual. It carries with itself knowledge, understanding and credibility with analytical ability and critical thinking that paves way for innovative and formative ideas.
Yet, I always say that there is a thin line between being educated and being a literate and it’s one’s own choice how one wants to be recalled and recognized as that’s why I say that Buckle Up! Transform and make a Transition making life meaningful and worthy being a better and brighter human being.
Written By
AFREEN MANZOOR
Pursuing MA Political Science
School of Social Sciences
UNIVERSITY OF KASHMIR
E-mail: afreenmanzoor121@gmail.com
