4 Idiots & me
Foreword
This has to be the most path-breaking Friday release of all times. Sure, it debuts on my humble blog and not in any jazzy multiplex, but I am confident that this will be read here in good numbers AND adequately reposted. Inspiration comes in all forms and if this doesn't hit you really hard, probably nothing else will.
4 Idiots: A Discovery
The Stars
Stars of this Story
1. Madhukumar Paka, aka 'Madhu', 10 years old, student
2. Rohit R, 10 years old, student
3. Arman, 11 years old, student
4. Abhishek, 11 years old, student
Fiona and Vaibhav with the kids
Supporting Cast
1. Fiona Didi, Teacher
2. Vaibhav Sir, Teacher
3. Shahrukh Sir, Teacher
Location
Divine Child High School,
Indira Nagar, Malad (E),
Mumbai 400 097
The Background
Fiona Vaz, a Teach for India Fellow , inspires students at the school beyond academics. In my fleeting associations with her over the last one year, I found her deeply involved with what she does and very closely connected with the youngsters who come to the school against many odds, to pursue, very simply... a better future. Last May, Fiona visited some high-performance schools for the underprivileged in USA and came back very impressed with the fact that some schools had this unbelievable target of 200 books a year per kid. Finding this truly aspirational, she implemented it in her classroom.
MISSION: 200 Books A Year (365 days)
Here is where our four superstars come in. When the teacher announced the incredible task in class, not everyone was equally motivated. But like a farmer who tosses seeds and waits for the fertile land to reap, Fiona waited.
In seventy days flat, the list of the top readers went thus:
1. Madhu::
260 (70 days)2. Rohit:: 194 (70 days)
3. Abhishek:: 190 (70 days)
4. Arman:: 167 (70 days)
They had already exceeded their quarterly target of 50 odd books by a minimum of 300%
Many students in the class struggled to reach even 25 books, but these four were been bitten by the reading bug and how! When I received Fiona's mail about these exceptional kids, I had to meet them for myself and that is exactly what I did today. Here is a freewheeling chat with four very intelligent and fun individuals. With very clear spoken English and careful manners came twinkling eyes and loads of smiles. This is one afternoon I am going to remember for a long long time.
Me: So, when you got the task, how did you start?
All: We get books from teachers and pass around. Sir asks us to read "Fat Fat" books. Didi writes email and books sometimes come in boxes. We have a lab in the school which has a few books. There is also one library we know.
Madhu's Tip: If a book is boring, I put it away. But when I don't have any other books to read, I start reading that one again
Me: Which are the MOST exciting books you have read? And what are you currently reading?
Madhu: Arabian Nights! And now I have Stories of Panchatantra, Vikram and Vetal, Nature in Danger and one encyclopedia.Friends holding up books!
Rohit: The Railway Children, it was very fat & Tenali Rama. And now I am reading The Worst Witch, Tales of Tinies and Horrid HenryWe got one pic with wrong cover once
Arman: Arabian Nights & Akbar and Birbal! The books I am reading now are Starry Skies, Lion King and Nature in Danger, which I borrow from Madhu.Two books and FOUR hands!
Abhishek: (grins) My favourite is ALSO Arabian Nights, but I will add Peter Pan and Tenali Rama. 20,000 Leagues under the Sea and Story of India are next on my list. Rohit ducked behind expertly!
Me: Hmmm, so now 80 days are over, and what are you counts?
Madhu: 299 (!!)
Rohit: 278 (!!)
Arman: 252 (!!)
Abhishek: 225 (!!)
Me: THAT IS FANTASTIC! What is your aim for 90 days?
All shout together: 400!!
Me: Okay tell me, what are the benefits of reading books...
Madhu: I like to know the Morals of the stories and yes, the fun stories are very good. Otherwise I love reading about history and religion. I think reading makes my english better as well. The most interesting thing I read was about Sharks and Mummies of Egypt!
Rohit: I read for information, knowledge. I want to know how people live, about other planets, and also about (sniggers) fashion. Yesterday I had excellent "Circle Time" (exercise of speaking in front of class on a topic) and I think reading books helped me.
Arman: I want to know about technology. The behaviour of animals and the Universe is also very interesting. Even reading about Gods is fun. My most fascinating story? One about the Nomadic Man.
Abhishek: I read for fun and to know about the world. I like to read about Cricket, India and also movies. The most interesting thing I read about was Dinosaurs! I think this whole reading task has made the whole school proud of us.
Me: Are there any difficulties when you read?
Madhu: We need more books. And sometimes we don't know meanings of words. So we ask Vaibhav Sir, or Fiona didi.
Rohit: Or we go to Shahrukh sir and he sees in his mobile phone and tells us.
Arman: I know about dictionary, but I don't know how to use it.
Abhishek: We have computers in our lab, where we can check email. But I don't know how to find out meanings of words. May be they will teach us soon.
Me: Now the MOST important question. HOW will you make others read? Not everyone has taken up the challenge.
Madhu: We will tell them to first look at the pictures
Rohit: Then they will find interesting things to read also
Arman: Ya, they will get knowledge.
Abhishek: And I will tell them that if they don't answer the questions that I ask the next day, they will have to give back ALL books!
(All four burst into helpless laughter, very amused)
Good thing camera had a self-timer! Do not buy Abhishek's sober expression at ALL!
I can't help but laugh along with them. These four kids have an infectious disposition. They chatter, they smile, they let you know that they are on a mission. They are... exceptional. If movie-goers found Aamir, Sharman and Maddy from the film 3 Idiots inspiring, our FOUR HEROES are no less...
There is nothing more I want to add to this. Everything you need to know is already in this post.
Do something about it.
Posted by Scribbler Amrita at 9/17/2010 8:31 PM 
Categories: Findings, Hobbies, Wellbeing, Editorial
Tags: self-improvement editorial tips
Categories: Findings, Hobbies, Wellbeing, Editorial
Tags: self-improvement editorial tips
Hey Amrita, This is brilliant. What a wonderful way to get children back to reading! I must say that we need more motivators like Fiona teacher in all schools.
Reading is a beautiful way to unwind, travel (without having to pack your bags), meet wonderful people (there are some amazing, inspiring legends whose stories can make a huge difference in our lives), learn (unlike the stereotype text books and GK volumes).
Loved this post. Keep writing and inspiring
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Thanks Ash... hope to take a different road with this blog. Suggestions welcome!
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W-O-W! Simply awesome! That is one huge load of books for 10 and 11 year-old kids! Kudos to them!
P.S: I hope my record breaks this one
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Keep at it! I was hoping this post would inspire people to READ and to HELP read...
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Congratulations to Madhu, Rohit, Arman and Abhishek. Hope this story inspires all young kids to pick up and read books instead of sitting and hacking away at the keyboard. Full marks to committed people like Fiona Didi, Vaibhav Sir & Shahrukh Sir. We need more people like them to take this country to greatness. Kudos to the Teach for India organisation too.
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Yes, Teach for India is proof that with our hearts in place, we can make a massive change in our society. Our population can move from liability to strength!
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It is ironic that books that 'used-to-be' describes as friends for a lifetime do not even get a quarter of inch in a person's cupboard. They are too busy stuffing them up with CD's and gadgets and other stuff. What happened to a good old book? Where are they?
So, I would say that it is reverential of Madhu, Rohit, Armaan and Abhishek to have taken the challenge so seriously and admirably come out triumphant. Why triumphant, it has been a whole challenging the challenge thing here. Of course, even I read books but reading this article has motivated me doubly. Also, a big-big HATS OFF to Fiona di, Vaibhav Sir and Sharukh Sir. They are the ones who regularly watered the plants so that the plant could grow well.
We need more people like them.
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Am so glad to read that you felt motivated... and I sincerely hope you spread the word around too! Read and Teach... keep the karma flowing!
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Super jobs guys.defining high expectations...Hopefully they will choose books over laptops ( in free time) in years to come!! ...will share with my young devils...
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Hi... yes... I inspired by 5-year-old with this story too. Luckily, she has discovered the world of books ungoaded.
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Absolutely awesome!
Loved their advice of "look at pictures", that is how I began reading too! My first book was Tintin in America (with loads n loads of pics in it!)
299 book in 80 days?! Hats off too these guys!
ps- please give a big hug to Fiona Didi from my side! hope I have a few teachers like her too!
Surely a blockbuster!!!
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Their approach is so simple, na?
And Yes.. hats off to Fiona and all other individuals who have made voluntary work their vocation. They are being the change they want...
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My dear Amrita,
These are exactly the kind of original stories that make your blog so interesting.
I will link it up to my blog and send it also to my students, to whom I send the inspirational quotes.
Sincerely keep up the good work.
You know how much I care about and love everything that you do. Love to your husband and kisses to Disha baby.
Peace and love,
- Joe.
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Dear Sir,
It gladdens my heart to know I have my teacher's approval. Hope to make you proud as I take larger strides into this domain...
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Kudos to all for such a brilliant vision and acting on it
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Remarkable!!
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At the risk of getting beaten up by my niece allow me to raise a concern
The "target" of number of books read reminded me of a monetary incentive scheme that was used in the US (Florida?) to get young people to read. The proponents argued that it was far more cost effective to get students to read by giving them the money than by hiring teachers.
In "Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us" Daniel Pink argues that the carrot and stick method of motivation is faulty. The "number of books" target reminded me of Pink.
The question that came to my mind is - What's "should" be the goal? Just to get a student to read or to inculcate love for reading and reflection on the book? A few good books and a thoughtful book-review perhaps?
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I have heard many of the TFI Projects and a number of them were going to work on libraries. I am an Aussie and we have two schools for underprivileged kids..one even has a space for a reading corner in each room but gathering enough books isnt easy..i would love to bring continaers from Australia where perfectly good books barely used are sold in second hand shops or put in the rubbish...it is a veyr hard exericise as one of my friend who helps a govt school in southern maharashtra found out. Of course we can buy books here but apart from a few groups like Pratham who are publishign adorable childrens books..most of the imported stuff is very costly. My happiest childhood memories literally were going to our local public library. I believe there are govt funds to set up community libraries...it would be great to see more libraries spring up like that.....these kids tho show where there is a will there is a way..again tho..harder for our village school...
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Hi,
Great work. We at www.tenderleaves.com are a book rental service in Pune and are working with a TFI Fellow at one of the PMC schools and 2 ZP schools.Access to good books is a challenge in these schools and the advantages of renting far outweigh those of purchasing.We have seen some interesting patterns in the choice of books being influenced by TV - so Winnie the Pooh and Scooby Doo are hot favourites because they appear on cartoon channels.All in all, it has been fun for us.
You can read about our experience at the ZP schools on our blog http://tenderleavesblog.wordpress.com.
Thanks.
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299 b00ks in JUST 80 days is awesomeee really wish i could read these many books it would be cool to know so much from them!!!!
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hey ed,
this was a real AWESOME post.........really inspired me......i hope that i'll break their records soon....
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hi ed,
this was truly interesting....lets cast them for the sequel of 3 idiots...we have the 4th one this time too!
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