Who We Are and Who We Ought To Be

Our Takeaways from The 17th Sara Mathew Memorial Lecture

28 July, 2022

Our founder, Mrs. Sara Mathew, started this school in her late 30s in a rented building in Safdarjung Enclave with a one month salary of her husband. Her bold decision invited a series of obstacles but she stood tall, smiling in the face of adversity. Today her school stands proud, nurturing students who have and will continue to make a difference in the world.

The Sara Mathew Memorial Lecture series celebrates the inspirational stories of people, who like Mrs. Mathew decided to take the road less traveled.

For the 17th Memorial Lecture, we were honored to have Dr. Bezwada Wilson as our Chief guest. He is a renowned human rights activist and the National Convenor and founder of the ‘Safai Karamchari Andolan’. For years, he has been fighting for the rights of manual scavengers and the most disadvantaged of groups in our highly divided society.

We also had Prof. Vinay Gupta- the Head boy of the batch of ‘86, to speak to us about his memories of his time with Mrs. Mathew. He could not join us physically, but that did not pose an obstacle in today’s era of virtual learning.

When the school auditorium was filled with united voices of students singing songs of strength and praises of the Lord, it resonated differently. It wasn’t just musical but magical. The songs prepared us for what was coming- a memorable lecture about who we are and who we ought to be.

Dr. Wilson says that we should always stand for what is right, even if that means standing alone. We always fear that we wouldn’t succeed if we render to choices that are rarely made by people or the paths that appear to be less traveled. Such disempowering beliefs about our own abilities, push us towards the ordinary crowd. We are always afraid of unprecedented consequences. This has to change now. We need to bring out a change. Change is slow to come but it will never be here if none of us take a step forward.

We need to start afresh, go back to our origins. If we are one people, we need to act as one, fight as one. Small steps, when taken together, will be enough to bring a change in the society, a change in the way we see, perceive and react to oppression and silent violence against our people.

Before we set foot in this journey of change, here are a few things we should make a note of all the lessons that these lectures by Dr. Beswada Wilson and Prof. Vinay Gupta have taught us.

Recognize and respond to the existence of the structured system of oppressive patriarchy

Patriarchy is not exclusive to women. Our sons should be taught to say no to the privileges that are offered to them for no reason. We must tackle the problem from the root cause.

Learn to differentiate between what should be forgotten and what we should be remembered

There are certain things that have to be forgotten and certain things that we must forever remember. One must find out the things that are not okay, the things that we often ignore but which deserve to be seen, erased.

Efforts like that of the Sara Mathew Memorial lectures are an open testimony to remembering our roots and remaining thankful. Step out of this cycle of hatred for certain sections of society. Break the chain.

Don't bury yourself with the violence.

Nowadays when we see violence around us, our first instinct is not to stop it, but to take out our phones to record it. We are losing our humanity. Don't become numb to the pain that people around you are going through. Don’t lose compassion. Don't be afraid of questioning the violence that has become a parasite in our everyday life.

A sovereign country can only be built with sovereign people

No one must feel like they are inferior to others. The moment one feels that they are an “untouchable”, we realize that our society is unhealthy. Each one of us should be able to take pride in who we are and what you do for a living.

Resolve the conflicts together

If caste and other socio-economic divisions have created conflicts, to resolve them we must all come together. Eradication of such flaws of our society can come only from the collective efforts of everyone irrespective of their caste, gender, religion, nationality.

Help those around you.

Great things do not have to be big flashy things. The small everyday things that we do add up to become great. Even a help as small as offering to carry the books of a teacher who has too many to hold along with many others, can make a difference. They will gradually teach you to help others in need, however major their problems might be.

Express gratitude.

Being grateful for what we have is something that we tend to forget. The things that we didn’t have to struggle for, are things that we take for granted. We often forget how simple words like “thank you” can brighten someone’s day. Thankfulness is a golden virtue.

Realize that there is greatness around us as well

As Mr. Wilson had mentioned, we often get so lost in the praises that we sing for ourselves that we forget to acknowledge others too who are great or maybe greater in their deeds. But at the same time, it does not mean that only others have greatness. We are all human beings. We are all great.

It’s okay to be your kind

It's alright to not know something. It's alright if you’re not as good as others. Knowing our shortcomings is important. But don't let them become an excuse for not doing what is right. Wilson English is awesome too!

Know who you are

Unless we understand the difference between who we are and who we used to think we’d be, we will never truly grow and evolve.

Before “Tu zinda hain” comes “Mein zinda hun”.

“Tu zinda hai, tu zindagi ki jeet par yakeen kar

Agar kahin hai swarg toh, utaar la zameen par

Tu zinda hai…

…Ye gam ke aur chaar din, sitam ke aur chaar din

Ye din bhi jayenge guzar, guzar gaye hazaar din…

…Nayi subah ke sang sada tujhe mili nayi umar

Agar kahin hai swarg toh utar la zameen par

Tu zinda hai”