EARN AND LEARN

Two kinds of college students come to me to learn. 

The first kind: They attend the regular college, which is not more than an hour or two! And, even if they attend religiously, it should not take more than half of their day. Then, they attend some classes, where another two hours or so would go. They have the day still left with them. They don’t work anywhere. Don’t’ earn.

The other kind: Some, from this kind, attend a few lectures, maybe some early-morning or late- evening coaching classes… But, they work, full-time or part-time, and they earn. They support their families, fund  their own  education and that of their siblings, too.

Others, from this kind, study through correspondence (Distant Education). So, they have the full day in hand. A couple of hours in the coaching classes, either early in the morning or late in the evening, and the rest of the time they spend working. They, too, support their families, fund their own education and that of their siblings, as well.

What is always heart-warming 

and even inspiring to see 

is that the ones who earn and learn 

are the ones who value 

their time, money and education the most. 

I am not trying to be selective here. I am absolutely vouching for this fact. Yes, the ones who earn and learn – they have a reason to do that. They have a family to support; they have siblings to take care of; they have an ailing father or mother at home whose health care to be funded… and, above all, they have to fund themselves.

Yes, they have to juggle with their limited time… travel a lot… study on their own as they can not attend the lectures; some of them can not even attend the coaching classes. From the salary they earn, they have to budget… and, that goes on and on every month till they become graduates. 

And, when they do, they do it with their head held high. With pride!

I was one of the fortunate ones… My dad was a simple soul, literally uneducated, worked as a mechanic; and, every day, before he left for the work, he would toil hard in our paddy fields while mom toiled at home chipping in some additional income preparing garlands for sale. They had tough time to run the house, leave alone to fund our education. The college used to be full day, unlike what we see these days - in two shifts.

But, yes, there were night colleges and many would attend them. I never asked: “Why?” 

Yes, when I was studying all through my school and college – full day there and then come home – I never, ever asked this question: “Why do some attend the night school or college?”

I never bothered to ask: “What do they do during the day time?” 

I was lucky, in deed.

But, was I?   

GERALD D’CUNHA

Pic.: Ronald Fernandes