During an interaction recently, I asked a
question ‘What would they do if their friend was copying in an exam and the
teacher did not notice?’
This was to explore moral awareness among
participants. Most of the children thought they would speak to the friend after
the exam and not report it, or they would not want to hurt the friend and may
report if the friend repeats it. This exercise got me nostalgic as I remembered
allowing my friend to copy during a tutorial. I had no choice, we were together
since first grade and a stupid tutorial cannot stand between our friendships.
But was I right?
The dilemma to make the right choice starts
as we realize that we have choices. We learn to choose between birthday parties
to our dresses. Then it gets complex. The students are divided into potters and
non-potters depending on if they adore Harry Potter books or not.
Years later I know that there is no right
or wrong choice but only appropriate choice. Very recently many of us shunned Sreesanth
when he was accused of match-fixing, but we are confused when faced with simple
situations regarding simple moral values. What is it that stops us? Is it the
fear of being called a “teacher’s pet” or “untrustworthy”?
We all believe in moral values but deep
down this fear holds us back from following the path based on our values.
Freedom from such attributes would be freedom in true sense.
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