Success and Dignity of Labour

6th day of #Blogchatter daily write challenge  

The other day I was watching the Flowers Oru kodi program in Malayalam organized by Flowers TV  wherein contestants participate in a quiz program in which one crore prize money is at stake. It is loosely modelled on the "Kaun Banega Carodpathi?" (KBC) program aired on Sony TV channel . What sets this program apart is that the host spends a lot of time tracing and dwelling on the life and life circumstances of the contestant from childhood to the present. For the viewers it is like watching a movie as each contestant has had ups and downs in their lives, sweet happy moments and  those of deep sorrow. 

I found the episode featuring Dr Jatheesh Sivadasan of Ernakulam district very interesting and inspiring. The contestant was born in a remote village Manikandan chal separated from the mainland by a river. Children had to travel 10 kms by a little boat to go to the nearest school. Their ordeal was all the more when it was raining as they travelled by boat to school. Most people in the village including Jatheesh's father went to the forest (away for 6 to 7 days at a time) and cut bamboo for a living which was later converted to mats by their women folk. 

In view of illness and financial constraints, Jatheesh discontinued his studies in class IX and went to assist his uncle in a village in the mainland as a barber. However, he later studied privately and completed school. Subsequently, he did a part time course in electronics offered by the state Government. He did all this even as he worked in the shop. Jatheesh went on to study privately and secured B.A. in history and post graduation in Malayalam literature. The UGC approved qualification enabled him to secure employment as a lecturer. 

 However, Jatheesh was not willing to forget his roots and worked at the barber saloon after the teaching assignments to support his family. Although initially, a couple of lecturers expressed their dissent through anonymous calls asking him to choose either of the two professions as it brought disrepute to the teaching fraternity, he stuck to his guns. The teacher received support from students and the society. In fact, later he gained fame being featured in newspapers and T.V. channels as the "UGC qualified barber". Jatheesh went on to do his Phd coming out with a doctoral work studying the lyrics of noted poet and lyricist Sreekumaran Thampi in Malayalam cinema. Jatheesh has also gained attention for his poems and ability to write songs.  

The journey of Dr Jatheesh Sivadasan underscores the importance of dignity of labour. It is not what you do but how well you do it that matters. It is always preferable to be a first rate carpenter than a third rate doctor. In Kerala the younger generation have been reluctant to do work that is held "menial" and as a result workmen from other states like Bengal, Odisha, Bihar etc have been filling the gap between demand and supply. 

Another thing to be noted is that the single most factor that altered the life of Dr Jatheesh was obtaining higher education. Notwithstanding his grit and determination, the access to education helped him to reach where he has. Although the literacy rate in the country has increased over the years, many do not have access or opportunity for higher education. The budgets for education is quite dismal considering its importance as harbinger of change. But then it is convenient for politicians to keep the masses less educated so that they do not ask uncomfortable questions.

 It is reported that the Delhi Government has been making the highest allocation in its budget for education and have also introduced schemes for school students to develop entrepreneurial skills by jointly associating in small business ventures. Perhaps, such initiatives need to be adopted all over the country for alleviating the problem of unemployment and encouraging young people to aspire to be "Job providers" rather than "Job seekers".