The saga of civilisation presents a rendezvous of trials and tribulations humans have faced in the interminable journey of evolution up to this present stage. Every stumbling block has acted as the source of learning and opened the door to new discoveries and inventions. Had there been no adversity in life, human civilisation would not have seen the heyday. Adversities have been the inseparable entities of human existence on earth having performed the role of tools of testing human fortitude and endurance. This is, perhaps, the undeniable truth of life. The adversities have come to human life in the forms of natural calamities or man-created violence and atrocities. Sometimes, it was an undesired repercussion of human act. Therefore, adversity of life is not a new human experience.
The outbreak of Covid-19 has posed to be another world-wide adversity rendering the normal movement of life retarded. Every aspect of human life has experienced a constraint. With the closing down of schools, the budding children are put in a state of uncertainty and unrest. They are perturbed about their next course of action. At this predicament a strong conviction in self can surely lend profuse solace and firmness in the mind. They need to take recourse to determination in the midst of the menace.
This short piece aims at soothing the perturbed young minds bringing to them a realm of hope and respite. They may seek respite in inculcating the truth of life that all doors of life are never closed. If one closes, the other is opened. It’s a noble truth. When normal classroom education has met with a stumble temporarily, online education avenues have assumed an unbeatable importance. Besides, various educational programmes on varieties of subject areas are made available in the television channels and internet presents before the learners an easy access to education. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc. conspicuously open doors to satisfaction of our craving for learning.
Various other apps like BYJU’S, Unacademy learning app, Kid’s Spelling learning, Extramarks, Kids education 2020, Kindergartens Kids learning, ePathsala, Linkedin learning, Brainly-the Homework, Bolo, Preschool learning, Vedantu, Grasshopper, STEP-app, Brilliant, Praadis Education, MyEdu, Eckovation, Youth Education, Sunshine Education, Toppscholars, Edusafar and a host of other apps can be an ample source of learning depending on age, interest and need.
‘Diksha’ stands out as one of the best apps for secondary and senior secondary level education. Training of teachers being the pivotal focus, the digital learning avenue caters to the needs of students. Besides, there are a lot of e-resources for self-learning like-Sakshat-One Stop Education Portal, Swayam Prabha, Swayam, epgPathshala, eGyanKosh, Open Textbook Library, National Digital Library, OER Commons, eacharya, Virtual Lab Project, IIT Mumbai, NPTL and many others. Learners may have a comprehensive access to the resources and learn copiously.
Online short-term and long-term certificate, diploma and degree courses are also offered by various universities and learning institutes throughout the country and abroad. Free-of-cost courses are also available. Students may pursue the courses according to their need and eligibility after proper verification of the authenticity of the courses and the institutions offering the same.
Education is the triggering force of civilisation. It must continue through all odds and onslaughts of life. Lockdown for Covid-19 must keep learning doors unlocked. Young learners must come out of the predicament and keep their pursuit of knowledge unshaken. Let our minds stay ignited and enlightened to serve our purpose.
Gopal Talukdar, PGT-English, JNV Rothak