Scholar-Journalist of the Week: Educate Daughters

Jalandhar-based Muskaan Kohli is currently pursuing her MBA from Apeejay Institute of Management & Engineering Technical Campus (AIMETC). In addition, Muskan is also a social worker associated with an NGO as a senior coordinator. Her hobbies and interests are never ending and includes reading and writing, painting, crafting-making using discarded material waste as well as cooking. She holds a keen interest in bringing a positive change to this society, uplifting the status of women. Hence, she believes this can only be achieved when more and more youngsters, especially girls are educated. This is what inspired her to write an article on ‘Educate Daughters’. Read on: 

Your article ‘Educate Daughters’ has received great views on our website. Why did you decide to write on this topic?

If we look at India , it is one of the most populated countries. However, the rate of girl education is quite low here which is quite troubling . In India, women are given the status of goddess, but still in many regions girls and women are not allowed to receive education. In many villages they are  not even allowed to step out of their houses. However, times are changing, and people are becoming a bit more progessive in terms of thoughts. They wish to educate their girl child and see them succeed in life. I thought of writing this article because I wanted to make more and more people aware about the importance of education in an individual’s life, leave aside boy or girl. The point is when we educate girls, we educate a whole nation.

Tell us two best things you feel about being a girl?

To me, being a girl means being a valuable member of this society. It means supporting fellow women, when society ceaselessly pits us against each other. I must say that although gender shouldn’t be a part of anyone’s identity, it also must never restrict anyone to cultural boundaries  like how a girl is expected to be. Being a girl gives me a lot of strength. I am blessed to be born the way I am.

Suggest how education can reach to all irrespective of their gender? 

We need not look at the terms gender and teaching students separately. Be it female, male, or non-binary — one must judge an individual with all the unique characteristics one possess. Gender bias in textbooks and other instructional materials is a real problem. It sometimes underrepresents women, contains stereotypes or offensive comments about them. Thus, textbooks must not contain such things which highlight women or any other section of the society as weak. In the digital era, education can be made easy accessible to all leaners.

Do you love to read and write? What kind of books do you read?

Yes I love to read and write. Mostly, I like to read inspirational books 

When did you develop this interest in writing? What does it mean to you?

I started writing when I was in school. My article was earlier published in a newspaper. For me, writing is a way to express the feelings which you actually want in society . It gives me peace. It makes me feel very positive. My father is also a writer and I got this inspiration from him. 

Any learning from this writing journey?

Through my writing journey, I felt I can communicate to society whatever comes to my mind; whatever I feel needs to be changed. I feel being a part of the current generation, we must take steps to make society aware of what we expect from our future generations. 

Do you wish to become a writer in the future? 

Yes , for sure !