While I was whiling away my time on the Internet, I could overhear the dialogues of a movie, making references to World War, from the idiot box in the next room. Of course it was S enjoying a few hours of his evening time peacefully without being bothered by me or my little one. This, to him, is one of the vital necessities to refresh him after a tiring day.
Meanwhile I went back virtually in time by more than a decade. Back then,I was attempting to be a studious and an attentive student in school. Whether I ever succeeded in becoming one or not , is a zillion dollar question.
Until the tenth grade we were not offered with many options with regards to the subjects that we had to hear the lectures of and take exams. “History” was one subject that never failed to lapidify me. I always used to think it was such an utter waste of time and the tutors who handled the subject were invariably vocalising the text books ,word for word. That “one hour” or so of the lecture would seem like an interminable torture. I always used to prepare for history exams with an intense dislike, as I failed to see a purpose with “History”.
I used to think :
What use is of “History” when compared to Science and Maths which were going to help us realise our dreams of becoming doctors and engineers in future.
I was on the first day of my ninth grade .Our Maths teacher had just completed her session and we were waiting for our history teacher to step in. “Oh My God” how many more days do I need to endure this torment was what I thought to myself. I was waiting for a miracle to happen.
The miracle did happen!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Much to my surprise, this new teacher never got on board with the textual lessons in the first session. She dedicated the whole hour for highlighting the significance of “history” and why it is so important to us.
History may be called, more generally still, the Message, verbal or written, which all Mankind delivers to everyman-Thomas Carlyle
I came to realise that, the present can never be fully appreciated and hailed without the information or idea of the past. What we are today is a consequence of what we were and what we did yesterday. It is from history we know what good was done in the past for us to realise its benefits now and what atrocities happened in the same past that has led us to where we are now. History shows us the correct path that we need to tread on and helps us distinguish the bitter from the better one.
The study of great civilisations, the downfall of great empires and dynasties, the study of renaissance , revolutions, the great wars and every other area of “history” casts light on some or other human behavioural tendencies and what man has been craving for from the beginning.
Instead of viewing history as a few lines in a text book, I learnt to treasure it as a snapshot of the world at any particular instance of time. It explains the evolution of mankind from being primitive Homosapiens to the ultra modern kind that they are today.
History teaches everything including the future-Lamartine
I came to realise that, the present can never be fully appreciated and hailed without the information or idea of the past. What we are today is a consequence of what we were and what we did yesterday. It is from history we know what good was done in the past for us to realise its benefits now and what atrocities happened in the same past that has led us to where we are now. History shows us the correct path that we need to tread on and helps us distinguish the bitter from the better one.
The study of great civilisations, the downfall of great empires and dynasties, the study of renaissance , revolutions, the great wars and every other area of “history” casts light on some or other human behavioural tendencies and what man has been craving for from the beginning.
Instead of viewing history as a few lines in a text book, I learnt to treasure it as a snapshot of the world at any particular instance of time. It explains the evolution of mankind from being primitive Homosapiens to the ultra modern kind that they are today.
History teaches everything including the future-Lamartine
I take this opportunity to thank the teacher who showed me the bigger picture of the subject and helped me appreciate its true essence.
As long as there is a present , there will be a history- Itz Me!!!
