So there it was. Another day in college. Another Day where i d learnt little from whatever was taught formally in class, why coz i could teach those bozzos my profs. a lot more than they could teach me! (any subject you name it. You could call me a egotistical (fill in swear words of your choice), but that was the truth. Of course Exceptions were there) and a lot from observing whatever was going around with my class mates and in the campus in general.
Note: RKM was always a special place, irrespective of what was taught there it was during my time there that i d learnt the most about a lot of things. Such a collection of such good people(attribute it either to the name of the college or divine grace or whatever)&(no sarcasm)
But this day was a bit different (obviously i aint going to write about an ordinary day!). It was different due to the fact that an oratorical competition was going on. It was a rapid fire contest or something wherein you d be given a topic on the spot and you would have to talk about it for 60 seconds. Normally i do not enter into competitions .My Reason: Because i always felt that i did n have any competition (swear words again).Truth: I am damn lazy to do most things. See even a post would take about a fortnight for me!
But the General topic was what inspired me that day to enter into the competition. - The Life and teachings of Swami Vivekananda. I did n have a clue as to what he had taught or what his life had been,so this was my chance to talk on something that i barely knew and find out how i fare against those who did actually know (i think) Note:I v always felt sad for not knowing much about him or reading many of his books. Whatever few i v read have indeed left a deep impression in my thoughts) . I wanted to prove how Awards did not mean anything to me or to anyone in general. What are awards anyway, some bozzos or a group of bozzos decide based on their "judgement" who deserves the award based on whatever criteria they feel is right - Sorry people who do no know me, i do not have time for your judgements on me. I know what i am. I know how good i am and it is enough that i know. Anyone else who senses i m good, let him, i m not asking anything from him. Well, i entered the competition.
About 50 of us in the prelims, after several rounds guess who was there in the final three - of course yours truly. P.S. I knew not a single thing to say on the seven odd topics given to me till then. In the finals i was given this topic - The Swami's talk in the Religion Conference in Chicago. Yay!!! i did know something on his life and teachings after all and what luck it happened to the topic for my final round. I was in first. I did speak clearly, confidently and most importantly, i actually knew that what i spoke were facts. The guy who came in second was a supposed to be a rock star when it came to oration. His collection included three state awards in various competition conducted by the University. He did give his speech. What a wuss i thought.. "Seriously this guy three state awards!! Then i must be going in for one of these national seminars, I d surely win gold!! So all three of us were done. (I really don't remember who the third guy was - irrelevant anyway).
Time for the announcement of the winner. Guess who!! I ll give you a clue - not me. Had i dozed off or something after that guy's speech or is this reality. Even the third guy had done better. Anyways i started reasoning out why he was announced winner ahead of me? I finally narrowed it down courtesy a moment of clarity - "Oh, this guy is the Language Teach's pet. If he doesn't get the award his ego would be f@@@ed up. You got to keep your champ rollin now shouldn't you? Who the f@@@ cares about a novice, who thought he d randomly show up for one competition. Let us take note of this guy, if he regularly participates, then we ll think about it - Seemed perfectly logical.". Well, ego still intact, i calmly got my second prize all 29 showing, ah another pose for the cameras, i would atleast get to know whether my weight training had paid off! One good out of all this evil!
The competition being over, i was pondering as usual on what I would cover for my Exams (not college exams, Were they exams by the way, 12th was tougher)that were fast approaching. As i got up from my seat on the conclusion of all the sucking up to the chief guest and all other judge bozzos, i was stopped by about 20 other participants. "We think you should have got 1st place. You were way better.". I thanked them for the gesture. More importantly I was not the only one who thought he d sucked. (Most of them there did, including most of the judges as i later found out,)
Note:
1.This post had one purpose in mind (no not involving in Self Praise, or being a hoot) but more importantly, why awards if given should be given keeping in mind its true objective - recognition of something good that has already been done and to encourage the fellar to keep the good work up. Whatever considerations it may be based on - it surely cannot have potential over performance, or a consideration that there be an already selected winner - the second guy in the above incident.
2. I recollect reading a post on similar lines when Barack Obama had won the nobel peace prize - Yes here it is - (Click). Now i m not comparing myself or the other guy with Obama, i m just quoting another incident which i think is relevant here.
3. Most dont give a damn about facts. As the movie Chicago goes "It is enough if you Razzle Dazzle them (put up a grand convincing show that is)"
4. I take this opportunity to appeal to everyone why you should not judge others. If at all you decide to do so, do so without any prejudice.
5. Talking about prejudice, it is also important for everyone to remember that prejudice is a silent killer of reason. So shed all prejudices and you ll find the world a much better place seeing it clearer with reason.
6. I haven't entered into another oratorical competition since, nor do i plan to.
7. I too was a punk in college, just in a little different manner.
Hi Prabhu!
ReplyDeleteI'm really envious of you!!! I suffer from such intense stage fright, I try to avoid such events.
And of course, congratulations! Yes, it is important to know one's abilities.
I totally dislike needless competition. By needless, I mean where declaring the one as winner and the others as losers no particular purpose is served. Sometimes competition is necessary only to know who deserves 'some' thing more than the others, when resources are limited or allotting a position of responsibility.
But most of the competitions I've seen are such that people treat competitors like gladiators in an arena, and rather than knowing who the winner is, they are more interested in whose egos are bruised, and whose self-confidence is permanently damaged. That gives them the sadistic pleasure.
Initially, I was clueless as to which link was leading to my Obama-post. I'm still curious - how did you reach that post - I mean by clicking on what? I was worried my password was hacked!!!
Anyway, the more pertinent post you would find it here (click).
I actually liked the tone of your writing, in particular, the knowledge of your capabilities. I have always believed that people lay too much stress on understanding and stating one's weaknesses. Stating one's weakness is looked at as a virtue, but stating one's strengths, as vice. And this idea is fundamentally flawed!! When relevant, our strengths as well as weaknesses should be spoken of with equal conviction. Why this partiality towards the negative?
Also, people lay too much stress on seeing positives in others. But again, I feel one should make note of positives and negatives with equal enthusiasm. That would be the most honest and objective outlook. In this regard, you might find another of my post relevant. Here (click)
And one thing - I think you wrote 'taught' as 'thought' twice in your post. :)
Hope, you overcome your laziness in coming out with posts more frequently. Really.
Enjoy and take care!
Hi Prabhu!
ReplyDeleteI'm really envious of you!!! I suffer from such intense stage fright, I try to avoid such events.
And of course, congratulations! Yes, it is important to know one's abilities.
I totally dislike needless competition. By needless, I mean where declaring the one as winner and the others as losers no particular purpose is served. Sometimes competition is necessary only to know who deserves 'some' thing more than the others, when resources are limited or allotting a position of responsibility.
But most of the competitions I've seen are such that people treat competitors like gladiators in an arena, and rather than knowing who the winner is, they are more interested in whose egos are bruised, and whose self-confidence is permanently damaged. That gives them the sadistic pleasure.
Initially, I was clueless as to which link was leading to my Obama-post. I'm still curious - how did you reach that post - I mean by clicking on what? I was worried my password was hacked!!!
Anyway, the more pertinent post you would find it here (click).
I actually liked the tone of your writing, in particular, the knowledge of your capabilities. I have always believed that people lay too much stress on understanding and stating one's weaknesses. Stating one's weakness is looked at as a virtue, but stating one's strengths, as vice. And this idea is fundamentally flawed!! When relevant, our strengths as well as weaknesses should be spoken of with equal conviction. Why this partiality towards the negative?
Also, people lay too much stress on seeing positives in others. But again, I feel one should make note of positives and negatives with equal enthusiasm. That would be the most honest and objective outlook. In this regard, you might find another of my post relevant. Here (click)
And one thing - I think you wrote 'taught' as 'thought' twice in your post. :)
Hope, you overcome your laziness in coming out with posts more frequently. Really.
Enjoy and take care!
First -
ReplyDeleteYup mistakes taken note and corrected. Guess i m not so good at spellings as i am with my mouth!!
Second -
ya trying to post via my phone (Moto e6)i m trying out ways of doing that without taking much of a toll on the GPRS charges.
That ll speed things up for sure.
Third -
I too believe you should look at both your strengths and weakness from an equal footing.. You got to know where you r at to know what you need to do to go where you need to go and for that such an evaluation is surely required - constantly.
Further -
I remember reading that post of yours since i got the news from that post of yours and was staring at my mobile in shock for the next minute or so. Therefore i remember it well.
To post the link,I searched the labels of yours to find out the relevant post. So that s how i reached your post.
Also if at all there should be competition, i guess they should be for the reasons i v stated above. Or else all such competition would be frivolous.
And stage orations is not a big thing, once you realise that a few can match up to your level of knowledge on whatever you know.
Secret: Any sort of confidence will do immaterial of whatever it is based on.
Yeah hoping for a post a day from today. Really have a lot of things to say. Lot of areas where i feel i can contribute. So will take the encouragement, and move forward
Take Care
And one more thing, i d used taught three times in the post , spelt it wrong twice got it right once, Guess i have to point the finger at my dozing off than at my spelling.
ReplyDelete:-)
MSP!
ReplyDeleteWas this post out of any anger? Seems like it.
Two Points and One Experience to be shared.
Point One: One of the basic things that makes "judging" a proper exercise in such events is "Independence". I remember few events, where the participants were never named. Nor their college was mentioned. There used to codes (Fruits, Continents, Colours etc.) This is to basically ensure that participants are not judged based on where they are from.
Point Two: An outsider as a "judge" who basically has nothing to do with the college. Single judge is probably the yuckiest thing that can happen in these events. Atleast two people are required, to reduce possible bias.
These two are very essential for having a proper judgement.
Point Three: (I am at a liberty to break a promise of Two, right?) He should be trained to judge. Evaluate based on "identified" set of parameters. Half the judges do not have any parameters at all.
The experience: During my College Final Year, we participated in an event (Team Event) at St.Joseph college, Trichy. Our college (Bishop) had a "Day College Team" and an "Evening College Team (Ours)". The event was "Product Launch". Product we had chosen was an original idea. Not yet seen in the market. Sort of an invention a person known to us. We presented our product with all technical parameters. We answered with large degree of technical clarity on an Engineering Product. Our presentation, which even today I firmly believe, was certainly among the best.
Our day college friends chose a "Supercar". They copied and pasted Lamborghini and Ferrari from the net. Their technical specs were "0 - 100 the fastest", "Unique Colours with customization possible", "Gorgeous Design" etc etc etc.
We were sure of a prize (even if only the Third). Guess what? Our day college team won that. First Prize. Even those guys acknowledged that we deserved the prize.
The point: Parameters were correct. Judges were proper. Winner was also proper. Communication error. We lost a prize and recognition. I wouldn't say "Screw Awards", knowing very well, based on whatever I have seen and experienced, 7 or 8 on 10, they (judges) consciously try not to be biased.
You should have participated in more events, is what I think. Screw prizes, or the yap who got the first prize (Generally, it is the loudest, fastest and the most animated speaker). It serves as a platform for you to test your abilities. Even if the appointed jury does a shitty job. You be the real judge.
Cheers
Count on GSM sir to get it right!!
ReplyDeleteFirst i was a person who used to get really angry back then, but i dont think i let myself take it to heart!
But i really think the guy who won sucked big time that day, he surely did n deserve an award , not on that day.
Sir, you actually have brought out the idea of the post in your comment better than i have in the post - and as follows -
1. There was no independence in that judgement. The boy was the student of the prof who was judging where as i was not. Obviously the guy was in his good books, and that has obvously given him a 90 m head start in a 100m race.
2. You v actually concurred with my point in saying that there should be identified criteria for evaluation - definitely it can t be potential since only performance merits evaluation.
3. One of the basic idea of the post was to highlight how bad judgements can act as a deterrant for aspirants from entering into competitions (or studying a law) and i think these judges have surely succeeded with me on that,at least until you have spoken here.
But point taken, negatives gone and filled in by the positives you v highlighted, a competition is where i test myself. Absolutely true now that i come to think of other competitions i v entered. Once again Thanks.
And even after knowing how busy you are i would still like to make an appeal to you - being- please do spend whatever little time you have here or in any other place you can send out a message, a person as well developed in thoughts as you are, would surely be helping those who listen, with every word you say like you have helped me here. So please, do communicate a lot more, if what i v said forms part of your intentions too. But then again i can only request. Thanks sir once again