Seminar becomes Bloginar

Kevin on his blog "Civil War Memory", had commented thus,
"I have to admit that as a teacher I am frustrated with myself for feeling this way. Blogging is one way of filling the hole that has resulted from fewer speaking engagements. I can post what I want and by now it seems I have a fairly regular group that enjoys and profits from my ideas and research. And new people are introduced to the site on a regular basis."

He has poured out his feelings of a teacher who learns, unlearns and then relearns but when he comes out with his findings he find that he can not carry people out of their grooves. People tend to live with preconceived notions and fixed opinions. They do not know that even their opinions are not their own. They are being induced to carry a particular opinion by number of factors. They do not learn to seek knowledge through a practice of persistent exercise and exertions. They do not show persistency and learn to verify their hypothesis in a scientific way. It takes time and consistency. The teachers develop this ability gradually.

Kevin has shown his disenchantment with the groups which indulge in seemingly intellectual activity to satisfy their hidden complexes. The teachers are called and made to share with their findings. No doubt, a scholar comes with details and elaboration. A part of exposition taken out of his elucidation works as arguments to justify the stand of some partisan groups. However, when a scholar ends his lecture or presentation with some different conclusion, they come out in a nasty way against the scholar. However, they continue to call him back just to make a show presentable.

The second thing which Kevin has referred to is the cost of a visit. I may like to add that the amount of work and efforts which a teacher invests in learning about a fact incur such a cost for which society never like to pay. A teacher continues to undertake this activity because, the activity of learning becomes his second nature or his basic character. He keeps on investing money in pursuit of his knowledge. A professional put up a fee but teacher just believes in sharing. No doubt, it is a frustrating sometime. No doubt, many teachers get exhausted soon and continue to remain in job if they are not enough enterprising, just for the sake of earning a living.


The other day, one of my friend teased me that whenever I start talking, I invariably refer to my blogging activity. He questioned the very utility of blogging. Well, the utility of blogging is a different issue but I gave an answer. I said that blogging is definitely a substantial activity for a teacher or an intellectual because he tends to place the required knolwedge and information at one place and those who are serious get the right knowledge at a desired and right place. He just mocked at it and then switched to his highly costly mobile to talk to his business associate.

I also remember the reaction of some people near to me when I bought the computer. At that time, computers were definitely a costly item in India. I did not know that how I managed to arrange for such a money. However, when my friends learned about my new possession they showed different reactions. One person asked that what new business I was going to start with computer. The second person was more concerned about my well being. He tried to advice me that being a novice and simple in life I was wasting money. He strongly advised that I should better utilize money by investing in real estate. All of them were teachers. Every one was questioning my decision to buy a computer which was for them a costly item and thing of mere possession. I was so much irritated by their queries and advice that once I retorted that I was amazed to learn that why they were not feeling the need of computers. No doubt, by now, all them have computers and very quick to tell that they can write their letters and applications on their own personal computers. Just that much.

The next reaction was really typical. Soon, they learned that I am using to computer extensively for surfing. They started seeking me with suggestive offers of visiting the "real sites".

The worst thing happened when I tried to point out the gap in availability of some original sources on the net for the Indian history. I wrote a paper in which I tried to compare the availability of original sources in case of American history and Renaissance period vis a vis Indian history. I collected nearly 700 such sites and developed a short paper. I suggested to one Conference organizer on regional history to include the paper. His first remark was that how can Internet be an issue of study in field of history for primary sources. He passed a remark which made me highly disenchanted. He remarked that I would be bringing merely an assortment of some web sites. Well, he was right to some extant but he did not bother to listen the conclusion. When I persisted with the argument, his remarks were that the making of archives available on the net was the work of the government of India. The universities and the history department could not find any role in it.

Similarly, in case of writing and interpretation of Indian history, which has become a major issue in post NDA government scenario, or to put in other words, in post Ramjanambhoomi period, the similar thing is being seen. I have come up with some write ups wherein I have used the colonial primary sources made available on the net. I am just holding them back because I desire to visit some of the related places and archives to verify for once that they are the same as they are shown on the net. However, I have now developed different views and reached some different conclusions. I have placed some of them on sumir-history.blogspot.com. I am also getting some responses. The comments are mere appreciation and there is no concrete criticism or discussion on that. But, I have this hunch that it will soon start. I have watched the blog of Miland Brown, the education forum of John Simkin especially JFK debate, and many such other debates, wherein the scholars bring new facts and proofs and share it through discussion groups and blogs. Such activities may not be brining money to them. Rather, they may be spending out of their pockets but such activities are basic Dharma of teachers and scholars. Such activities are the core of the profession.

I consider blogs of teachers are continous seminars. The teachers who are interested in such pursuits may take the benefit of this technology and continue with their activity with full conviction. It will keep the teacher in them alive. The product of their mental exercise would definitely make their place.