Bridging gap between borders and generations
‘Face to Faith’ brings students from Pakistan and India together to talk about treatment of elders
The mention of Pakistan conjured up stark images for students of Brindavan Vidyalaya until an interaction through video conferencing this week shattered the cultivated stereotypes.
Though divided by borders, students from both nations found a common pitch in challenges they faced, including the widening gap between Generation Y and senior citizens.
Organised by international organisation , ‘Face to Faith’ that brings students across cultures and faiths together through technology, the video-conference between four schools, two from Pakistan and two from India , included Brindavan Vidyalaya, Thiruvanaikoil as a participant. The school had invited grandparents to join students in the discussion centred on International Day of Older Persons observed on October 1.
The mediator encouraged students to share anecdotes and axioms from scriptures to express what diverse faiths talk about treatment of elders.
Students from Brindavan Vidyalaya joined their counterparts in Bal Bharathi Public School, Pitampura, New Delhi, in narrating instances from Ramayana, Mahabharata, Bhagavad Gita, and sayings by Thiruvalluvar and Avvaiyar.
Rama’s exile in obedience to Dasaratha, Shravan Kumar’s devotion to his aged parents who were carried in two baskets slung over his shoulder, Parasurama who beheaded his mother’s head in compliance with his father’s order and used a boon granted by him to restore her to life, were cited.
Students from across the border quoted the Prophet on the value of respecting elders.
Surmounting technological challenge
“New technologies and communication have widened the gap between grandparents and grandchildren” said a grandparent. “While we struggle to keep up with the pace of advancement, we are looked down upon by youngsters as people who know nothing. It makes us feel inferior.”
While grandparents felt that grandchildren no longer listened to their stories, children felt it was because the tales were not relevant and held no interest to them. In the course of the discussion there was a shift in attitudes.
“It is not the stories that matter, but spending time listening to them or finding alternatives like watching television together,” said a student. Another felt it was important to ‘replace sympathy with empathy and put ourselves in their shoes’.
The challenge for this generation is to not permit technology to get in the way of their relationship with the older generation, said the mediator.
“Can you switch off the television earlier? Can you spend less time talking on the phone? Can you get off your computer to spend time with your grandparent?”
‘Face to Faith’ brings students from Pakistan and India together to talk about treatment of elders
The mention of Pakistan conjured up stark images for students of Brindavan Vidyalaya until an interaction through video conferencing this week shattered the cultivated stereotypes.
Though divided by borders, students from both nations found a common pitch in challenges they faced, including the widening gap between Generation Y and senior citizens.
Organised by international organisation , ‘Face to Faith’ that brings students across cultures and faiths together through technology, the video-conference between four schools, two from Pakistan and two from India , included Brindavan Vidyalaya, Thiruvanaikoil as a participant. The school had invited grandparents to join students in the discussion centred on International Day of Older Persons observed on October 1.
The mediator encouraged students to share anecdotes and axioms from scriptures to express what diverse faiths talk about treatment of elders.
Students from Brindavan Vidyalaya joined their counterparts in Bal Bharathi Public School, Pitampura, New Delhi, in narrating instances from Ramayana, Mahabharata, Bhagavad Gita, and sayings by Thiruvalluvar and Avvaiyar.
Rama’s exile in obedience to Dasaratha, Shravan Kumar’s devotion to his aged parents who were carried in two baskets slung over his shoulder, Parasurama who beheaded his mother’s head in compliance with his father’s order and used a boon granted by him to restore her to life, were cited.
Students from across the border quoted the Prophet on the value of respecting elders.
Surmounting technological challenge
“New technologies and communication have widened the gap between grandparents and grandchildren” said a grandparent. “While we struggle to keep up with the pace of advancement, we are looked down upon by youngsters as people who know nothing. It makes us feel inferior.”
While grandparents felt that grandchildren no longer listened to their stories, children felt it was because the tales were not relevant and held no interest to them. In the course of the discussion there was a shift in attitudes.
“It is not the stories that matter, but spending time listening to them or finding alternatives like watching television together,” said a student. Another felt it was important to ‘replace sympathy with empathy and put ourselves in their shoes’.
The challenge for this generation is to not permit technology to get in the way of their relationship with the older generation, said the mediator.
“Can you switch off the television earlier? Can you spend less time talking on the phone? Can you get off your computer to spend time with your grandparent?”
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