Give me a chance!
I grew up in a school environment of intense competition. Constant comparison, judgment, and humiliation were a norm in my school — a true reflection of Society, unfortunately! Ever since I was a part of the School Choir (Class 5th onwards), I wanted to participate in a solo singing competition and therefore I gave 3 auditions but the child who was good and won every year was always given a chance because who doesn’t want to win right?
However, the question of why wasn’t I given a chance or an opportunity still troubles me. Was I not good enough? Where did I lack? No one bothered to tell me.
Nevertheless, after 3 years of giving auditions and setbacks, I was selected in an audition against a girl who used to participate every year and negotiated a deal with me that she is giving me a chance because she would participate in the ‘Indian’ song and I can participate in the ‘Western’ song that year. I still remember that day. I was overwhelmed not only because I finally got an opportunity to sing solo but also was told to sing ‘Opera’, one of the hardest genres in western music as the notes can go pretty high! There was no turning back. I practiced after my regular classes and the music teacher helped me a lot. I failed during practices but tried again and again.
The day came and I performed solo, I gave it all. The audience was impressed, the top singer in my school appreciated my performance and told me that it was amazing. The teachers and children whom I had never met, appreciated me. I was thrilled! That was one of the happiest days of my life. Although I came second, I heard someone say, “Sakshi, you came second but we consider you first”. This compliment made my day and it was more than the award.
Next year, one of the teachers nominated me for a duet singing competition ‘herself’ because of my solo performance. That day, I felt that all my efforts and perseverance had truly won. All I needed was an opportunity and a platform.
School is a space where children can learn, explore and navigate their talents and unearth their hidden gems.
Why wasn’t I given the opportunity in the first place when I was equally good, why wasn’t I given the opportunity to succeed or fail? Why doesn’t school nurture our talents and practice the value of ‘Equality of status and opportunity’ as mentioned in the preamble of the Constitution of India? Why are children who are ‘excellent’ always given the opportunity to win every year for performing probably the same damn song/routine? What is the point of celebrating this ‘win’? Shouldn’t the goal of the school be to give equal opportunity to every student to participate and support them to discover their talents and encourage them to excel.
Wouldn’t be great to nurture a large group(s) of talented children across different fields, ages, and different identities than just a few? How can one aspire to become a singer or dancer or sportsperson when an opportunity is not given in the first place and only a few children are ‘chosen’ to succeed in their respective fields? Wouldn’t it be amazing if these groups can support and mentor one another to hone their skills and talents?
Yes, it is indeed a ‘competitive’ world but why not give an equal opportunity to every child who is keen to explore his/her talent — why can’t the school instill confidence and belief in them? When a child makes mistake(s) during a performance or excels — does the teacher/judge give him/her constructive feedback? Why not? Isn’t it necessary? Why can’t we cultivate a culture of ‘constructive feedback’ from the school itself so that we don’t struggle to give/receive feedback in later life professionally and personally?
Isn’t school a space to explore, learn, develop and grow? What is winning for the sake of ‘winning’? Who wins anyway?
An opportunity or a chance can change the direction of one’s life. It has, at least for me.