Yes, I am stupid ...because you said so!!!

This is the second time that the intellectual side of my ego was deeply hurt. However, I was not in debating mood to challenge the statement and nor am I interested to prove who I am after all these years. There is a point in time where you strive to get better grades in school, and there is another point in your life where you strive to get better job than rest of your friends. Every point in our life there is stage, and we all want to be better than others. 

But there are exceptions. Exception in extreme sides. And of course, being exceptional is and not excuse. Now, the stage that I am referring to was not a level playing stage for me. There were times that I couldn’t even dare to step on it. Well, that was history. 

I strongly condemn our education system which judge a student by the grade and which encourages students to memorize and vomit in exam and get first class or distinction.Creativity,critical thinking, lateral thinking are way too far away from us. The worst part is every parent and student is obsessed in scoring high marks in order to be sold, marketed.  I mean employed. The parents are the one who pass and who fail in the exam.  For them, the tuition fee is an investment. And, Ironically, the so called "I"st class graduates are not “I”st class in other aspects of education! Sorry to say this.

Well, my parent, I mean my father was different. He gave me the freedom, he introduced me to the world, wanted me to acquire knowledge, explore into theories and concepts, ranging from politics to economics or world affairs to religion. Neither I nor my father was not into this rate race. I was offered a free seat in science stream, which would have made me a doctor if I wanted, as kutti always wished.  I didn’t care. Or I didn’t know.  Then, there was too little parental guidance, at least in my case.  Now it is too much. Every single parent is talking about campus-campus interview. Wait, I did not fail in any exam, it is just that I did not get First class in my UG. And so what? The world did not shut its door on me. My result in 
M.Phil was outstanding with 2nd rank in the university. So, am I stupid or intelligent? 

I can quote as many billionaires and intellectuals who did not even attend school. And history remembers them!  The recent announcement by few IT companies that arrears don’t matter in recruitment as long as they are able to communicate in English well means that IT companies are hiring ‘not so intelligent’ graduates?

I am in the constant search of something beyond the “I”st class. Confining me to your first class makes me laugh.Well, I didn’t feel insulted by your statement but most certainly, yes, my intelligence did!