Postcard campaign continues

 More students from engineering, dental and basic degree colleges in Visakhapatnam have started attending the Saturday evening meetings. One of them has even challenged herself to get a 1000 postcards written. A few more BPO employees have also joined us.

 The dedication of these young Indians is admirable for two reasons - they are spending a Saturday evening in a meeting instead of being out somewhere partying or relaxing; they are talking to their parents and neighbours about these efforts. So what? Well, they are putting paid to the perception that the average Indian does not care about anything in their country. They are doing this for someone else - for primary school children who are much younger than them and who cannot make their voices heard. All this with no expectation of any personal gain.

 One question keeps cropping up since the postcard campaign was suggested - how will my one postcard make a difference? For the benefit of those readers following this blog and wondering the same, here are a few reasons why it is important to write the postcard:

•  First and foremost, writing the postcard is better than accepting the current pathetic situation and not doing anything.
• Our one postcard may not do much but when many thousands and lakhs of postcards (and emails) start arriving at the PM and CMs offices as well as the press, they are bound to notice.
• Even if they do not read the content of every postcard (or email), they will sit up and notice that citizens are clamouring for effective primary education.
• If no one in the government or press responds, we can ask them why they are not doing anything about a pressing issue. They may or may not be doing their job, but if they don't do what is right for the children and the nation, it is our right to ask them why.
• The press has been in the forefront lately in highlighting many important issues. We can also ask them why they seem to be ignoring this urgent issue.