NARADAA SCHOOL

Sh: So, you are on to school now?

N: Of course. We now know that education is the fundamental requirement for democracy. People have to be educated – also the prospective representatives have to be educated – if democracy is to be implemented successfully.

Sh: But, the name of the school doesn’t sound right.

N: Why?

Sh: How do you name a school? I think it sounds better when you say, Naradaa High school or Naradaa Higher Secondary school etc.

N: I considered that but I didn’t think it was a good idea. If I say Secondary school, then it can be only a secondary school.

Sh: Also, it is better if we mention what the school is all about. Just by hearing the name, people should know what the school is for. Like, Naradaa School of politics…..

N: No, no…. not politics! You can say Naradaa School of Democracy. After all, the school is being started so that people will know what democracy is.

Sh: What is the difference? Is there any difference between democracy and politics?

N: See, now you definitely need to be educated.

Sh: But I have never seen democracy without politics anywhere in this world. I think there is a science in that. In many places they teach you political science.

N: Really?

Sh: Yes, though I do not know where science comes into it. I thought politics must be something really unscientific.

N: Why do you say that? Politicians do say words like ‘scientific temper’ etc.

Sh: That is exactly the problem. Science always is based on sound logic. Where is logic in politics? This ‘scientific temper’ kind of talk itself shows there is no logic.

N: But the politicians talk about scientific temper not for themselves. It is the common public who should have scientific temper or who should look at things scientifically.

Sh: And where is the logic or science in those games the politicians frequently play like change of parties or change of alliances or some modern musical chairs?

N: Ok, ok….. we do not call it politics or political science. We call it only democracy.

Sh: Then call it Naradaa Higher Secondary School of Democracy.

N: Definitely not higher secondary school – not even secondary school, I think. I think here in NA, people will have to learn democracy from primary stage, if not from pre-primary.

Sh: Coming back to the name, why not a memorial school? Now that has got style.

N: What?

Sh: Naradaa Memorial School of Democracy…..

N: Don’t talk nonsense. Naradaa is still alive and kicking…. Can’t you see? And why do you worry? A school is a school is a school – by whatever name you call it…