By Murli Chari
Most of us think that as soon as we procure a college degree learning end. However, to the contrary that paves the foundation for more learning. Learning is like a serpentine river meandering through the labyrinth of routes. Once river of learning stops stagnation takes place leading to moribund. In fact, there is so much of joy and jubilation while learning. Learning inebriates us. The thirst for learning cannot be quenched. Learning keeps us humble as we realize when we have learnt so much and we discover how much ignorant we are. Dr. Abdul Kalam was a paragon of learning blended with humility and that is what makes us a colossus. A truly learned man will be very graceful and humble. Only those who are learned to a small degree flaunt their knowledge. Learning requires humility. We all are students in life as every experience teaches something. In case we fail to learn we become haughty and get into trouble with others. Many people complain that they do not have time to read. There is a popular aphorism that there is hardly any difference between one who cannot read and one who knows and does not read. Learning perennially keeps us fresh and helps us wonderfully in getting along with all the generations. It also keeps us young and free from disillusionment. Biologically as well new synapses are created in the brain and keeps us free from Alzheimer. It keeps impervious to growing old and senility. Learning new language creates a great bonding between people of different linguistic people. Even if one reads daily for half an hour, we feel ecstatic and exhilarated. Many people have the mistaken notion that we lose our ability to learn after certain age. This is a ludicrous myth. The very purpose of life is to keep learning till we breath our last. This reluctance to keep learning makes us morons. The legendary scientist Thomas Alva Edison said there is no greater pleasure than thinking which emanates from perennial learning. Learning should be for acquiring knowledge and to put it to use for the larger good and not for procuring formal degrees. With so many sources these days learning has become lot of fun and great joy. Again, learning should be qualitative and not quantitative. The joy of learning is palpable when we learn for understanding than to pass exams. In the exam mode the main purpose is to score as many marks as possible and that is achieved by cramming. We need to change the paradigm of learning to enhance knowledge and understanding and put to practical use. Learning has an entire gamut of things. It can be regarding skills for a profession, understanding self, our being, our universe, culture, politics, religion, spiritualism, and myriad of subjects. Learning can be from various sources. It can be learnt from a teacher, mentor, coach, and heuristic learning. The best investment in the world is in learning. Reading a book is one of the most interesting way to learn. We can learn at our own pace. Most of the vices in the world are due to lack of purpose. If we keep learning, we will understand that there is more intoxication while learning than the best of alcohols in the world. There is a very cogent Urdu couplet “Ilm mein bhi surorr hai lekin ye vo jannath hai jis mein hoor nahi.” This means there is lot of kick in learning, but it is a paradise where there are no angels. Learning by itself is one of the greatest joys in the world. All other hedonistic pleasures have bad side effects. There are no limits to learning. It grows when you share the learning with others unlike wealth which depletes when shared. Learning can redefine our lives. It
enhances the quality of our lives as we are aware of many pitfalls to be avoided. A learned man will commit blunders and later regret. It never goes waste. Most of the crimes and vices emanate from ignorance. Learning makes us more tolerant, and we break the fetters of parochial viewpoint. In learning is hidden earning. Learning liberates us and paves the way to a truly magnificent life.
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