DO YOU KNOW WHO YOUR SIX BEST FRIENDS ARE?

 

Do you know who your six best friends are? The writer of the world-famous “Jungle Book” and the renowned British Author who had the honour of being the youngest recipient of the Nobel Prize in literature, Rudyard Kipling said, “I keep six honest serving men. They taught me everything that I actually know. Their names are what, why, when, how, where and who.” It’s really a thought-provoking statement. 

Nobody will disagree that whichever discovery, invention and innovation have been registered so far across the world, these six words have played the defining role in every case. Isn’t it? We can define this in one word as curiosity, the basic natural quality of every person and the essence of human existence. 

Just think about the driving force behind exceptional achievements of Sir Isaac Newton, Jagadish Chandra Bose, Guglielmo Marconi, Thomas Alva Edison, Satyendra Nath Bose, Albert Einstein, Marie Curie, Michael Faraday, Alexander Fleming, Sir C.V.Raman, Alexander Graham Bell, Wright Brothers, Vikram Sarabhai, Homi J. Bhabha and many others. It was nothing but their intense curiosity.  

Actually, every human being has the natural curiosity of knowing about the unknown and unseen. From the ancient days, human beings marched forward in their challenging journey of life by making this tool as their natural companion. In the real sense, curiosity always motivates a person to know about the existing things and also to think something new and act differently. Interestingly, this novel human quality at times compels those who are living in the zone of pessimism and negativity to do something worthwhile for self and the family. On the other hand, it awakens those who are rich and prosperous to come out of their comfort zone in order to explore the real purpose and value of life. There are many real-life examples in this regard. Yes, the life and thoughts of Mahatma Buddha have been an inspiring example. 

Aaron Klug says that human curiosity, the urge to know, is a powerful force and is perhaps the best secret weapon of all in the struggle to unravel the workings of the natural world. Just imagine, if any person sets a goal of knowing about nature and in the process tries to understand the life of birds, animals, trees, rivers, mountains, seasons and other things around him, he would be the beneficiary of immense knowledge and experiences. Do you agree?        

Albert Einstein asserts, “It is a miracle that curiosity survives formal education. I have no special talent. I am only passionately curious.” In fact, the whole purpose of true education is to awaken the curiosity of students so as to make them really knowledgeable and creative. That’s why Leo Burnett opines that curiosity about life in all of its aspects, I think, is still the secret of creative people.   

Undeniably, all of us possess this unique quality, but we need to try hard to keep improving this trait in order to expand our base of knowledge and wisdom consistently. It is particularly necessary for students. As such, they should focus at least on the following prescriptions: 

First of all, they should never hesitate to ask a question like a child. Yes, the manner of asking the question must be dignified and humble. It is true that at times, the students don’t ask a question in the fear of being ridiculed by fellow students and sometimes by a few teachers as well. On this matter, it is rightly said by the wise people that those students who ask questions can be ridiculed occasionally or can be termed even as fools, but those students who don’t ask question despite wanting to ask one due to some apprehension or fear, they are bound to remain fools and repent too. Secondly, always try to listen to the answer of your question and also try to understand it well. Not only this, if you fail to understand the answer to your satisfaction or a few more related questions come to your mind, try to get the answer or solution forthwith. Thirdly, don’t limit the scope of your curiosity and be sincere to ask the question and digest the answer. 

Walt Disney says rightly that we keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things, because we are curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths. Precisely speaking, if you remain genuinely curious to know and understand anything – from the subjects of your syllabus to any matter under the sun, you would be significantly benefited in multiple ways. 

As always, I'm keen to know what you think on this subject. Hence, I request you to post your comments to share your valuable opinion.   (hellomilansinha@gmail.com)     

# Published in my Sunday Column of "Morning India" daily.

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