Grade
ten students swamp the Multi Purpose Hall, brimming with curiosity and
anticipation of what lay ahead of them. What would it be about? Why had the
praiseworthy Minister of Education - whose schedule was far too crammed – had
made time for this visit? What would he talk on? Questions and questions filled
up each head, all waiting for answers that would be given in due course of
time.
The
crowd hushed and instantly rose from their seats at the first appearance of the
impeccable figure. One of the school prefects, Ms. Tandin Wangmo Das warmly
welcomed the Hon’ble Minister with her ever immaculate vocabulary that stunned
the audience. A fine articulate orator indeed, fully justifying her capacity as
a perfect.
With
humorous words and kind smiles, the students were soon captivated by the sheer
force of His Excellency’s charisma. They listened along with childlike glee,
nodding, laughing and in total agreement to every word he conversed.
"Like
all parents, we hope and pray that our children would succeed in life" he
says, eyes twinkling with delight from his ever-present grin. The Minister
lovingly adds in how he saw each and every one of them as his very own
children. The honesty of the statement warmed every heart and soul present in
the hall.
The
real purpose behind the convention is revealed when he inquires on the
consumption of the sweets that were distributed prior to his arrival. He
bluntly states that those who did consume it would face problems and have a difficult
spouse and vice versa - here the students laughed. According to the Hon’ble
Minister, the sweets refer to the ''temptation'' to indulge in unethical
activities.
To
further supplement his point, a video was played, ''The Marshmallow Experiment''
it stated in bold letters. In the video,
various five year olds were placed in room whereby they were given a single
marshmallow. They were then given the choice of either consuming it instantly
or to wait for fifteen minutes which would earn them another extra one. In this
video clip too, the marshmallow symbolizes "temptation" clearly
demonstrating how waiting or refraining from temptation could make you gain
milestones or merits . It serves as a
timely reminder to all of us about the state of our minds.
This
test proved that those who waited; those who resisted the urge were the ones
that succeeded in life. Those who could not resist the temptation and consumed
it immediately faced a troublesome future. Why?
According
to the Minister, there was a part of the brain that solely focused on advising
oneself. The advisory part of the brain plays a crucial part in the everyday
life for it would help one to decide on what would be the best option for
oneself at that state of time and place. This is why it is important to
maintain it in the best possible condition.
"Let's
say, you're riding down the hill four-hundred-kilometer-per-hour," says
the charming Minister in a lighter tone, "the healthy part of your brain
would tell you to stop and thereby you would avoid an accident. However, the
unhealthy part would encourage you to go even faster and in doing so, you would
risk your life."
He
relates how the so called 'chocolate' is but the symbol of temptation. He mentioned that there are about two-hundred
temptations one would face every day, however the best option would be is to
steer away from any temptations.
The
Minister lightened up the mood by narrating a rather amusing story. During his
much younger years, he and his friends were into the idea of finding a
significant partner. And so, during their search, they began to take part in
unhealthy practices which lead to detrimental addictions. They were very much
focused on the foolish goal which would virtually block any logical thinking. He
recalls those days with a grim smile but brightens up immediately upon when he
recaps on how he had learned to quit.
Six
years ago, he discovered the 'secret' which changed his life forever and the
secret is available to all of you, he exclaimed! The only difference he
emphasized was the words of hopes in instilling the younger generation with
values he never could incorporate into his habits as a child.
The
''secret'' as mentioned refers to the urge to fight against ''temptation'' of
all sorts, which determines the will to stand against the immoral but very
alluring practices and to give a proper second thought every time you encounter
such temptations.. "Don't eat the chocolate now," the Minister particularly
stressed as a reminder to fight against these attractions.
The
Minister had shed light to the darkened portions of the teenage life in an
extremely effective manner by illustrating his own experiences. He was able to
articulate his thoughts magnificently and connect with the students; truly is a
man of high caliber. The underlying message that was conveyed to all of us was,
to stay away from all sort of temptation to get involved in unwanted
activities; how enticing it might be but should have the strength to stay away
from it.
The
students that day, left for home with new information to share with their
parents and relatives about the humorous tale of their beloved Minister. How wonderful that day had been for the
students of grade ten.
Student
reporter
School
Media Club
Tensin Chenzo Norbu.
10-E