Budding thoughts

I n today's FAST ( first , ahead , singular , trending ) era , everyone is aiming to singularly achieve first, ahead of the rest and trend at the best! We are overloaded with information, although most of us lack the ability to channelize that information. Unfortunately, most also believe information and knowledge to be synonymous. Knowledge is the outcome of churning of information through experiment and experience, and thus, a gradual process. Every now and then, each one of us needs a knowledge-holder to help us navigate through the vastness of information. Since time immemorial, teachers have been entrusted with guiding learners to gather and process information. As a teacher for many, I have enjoyed the process of guiding learners across myriad subjects over the past 9 years—the excitement of reading about the topic, preparing notes/slides, explaining the concepts to curious minds in simple manner, encouraging them to think and apply beyond the textbook concepts, evaluating t...

In a world where first impressions often dominate social interactions, many people tend to form their opinions based on surface-level appearances. Whether in personal encounters, professional environments or social media exchanges, judgments are often made instantaneously—by the way someone looks, speaks, dresses, or behaves at a glance. While this instinct may be natural, it is also misleading and can prevent individuals from truly understanding others and situations. Superficial judgments are rarely accurate. A quiet person may be mistaken for arrogant when, in fact, they are simply thoughtful or shy. A well-dressed individual may be assumed successful without anyone knowing the struggles or sacrifices they face or their true intents. Similarly, someone with a cheerful presentation may be hiding deep personal battles. Judging people solely as they appear or portray themselves overshadows the nuances of human behavior and denies the depth of their individuality, leaving behind only ...