Uniforms vs Individuality

By Sonam Pattnaik

As the society gradually changed in the post-independence era, government initiatives and new found awareness among parents made the parents realise the importance of education and the crucial role it plays in building a kid's life. Contrary to the olden days, when only the wards of the Raja, Maharajas or children of the Brahmins had access to education; the governments of Independent India had liberal views and ensured that education be made accessible to all. And hence the post-independence era saw many parents cutting from their own needs to send their children to school ( irrespective of their financial or social status). The constitution makers made equal job opportunities and equal pay a fundamental right. Which made the parents want more and more to send their kids to school- with the aspiration of a bright and secure future for their child. So the newly founded schools had children coming from all strata of society. So many children who had ended up in school, probably landed there lured by the midday meal scheme or may be as a result of RTE act. When India got independence, India was inevitably a poor state with only a handful who had riches. Therefore education despite being prescribed as a birth right in government texts could not practically become so. Now I come to why uniforms are necessary. As you know in any school, children from different financial backgrounds study together. Not all parents have steady income or equal riches in par to their contemporaries. When kids from wealthy families flaunt their expensive watches or fancy sneakers, it becomes very difficult for the poor father to explain to his kid why he won't be able to comply to his genuine needs. (I say genuine needs because everyone wants to feel like they are a part of the group and not be singled out. And I know sometimes some affluent kids have the tendency to attempt to make another feel small by showing off their possessions. Such kids create a toxic and unhealthy atmosphere for talent to breed and flourish).

Have you ever wondered how heart-breaking it is for a father to say 'no' to his kid (especially when the kid is not making any unjust demands.) Tell me should the father spend on his food and nourishment and books or on fashionable clothes. Because I don't remember anybody able to study or complete education without food and nourishment. After all that's why he was enrolled in the school in the first place i.e to study If children are allowed to wear fancy wear( and no uniform), kids belonging to poor families may develop a complex that they don't have enough or their father is not able to provide. Just imagine what kind of shock that would be for the father who is dying a little daily in order to meet the daily needs. So, tell me should the father drop his children from school. Doesn't the poor father have the right to dream for a bright future for his kid if all he can give is education instead of shallow exhibition of riches. Children this age are very delicate and have an impressionable mind. If a child is defeated mentally due to unfair environment in school, it's very difficult to explain to him that " kid, may be your father is struggling but if you study well and work hard, you will be able to give a better life to your children". We want children to grow in an environment of mutual harmony, friendship and compassion. We don't want them to flounder in their exams owing to stiff competition of people showing off their possessions . We want children to focus on their talents and not on their belongings. After all that's why they have been enrolled in schools and colleges. To work on themselves and not to bring another down psychologically. The only thing a kid should take pride in is his own talents and abilities and not shallow belongings. Now let's come to our topic of discussion - whether uniforms mar individuality. Then I would answer with a resounding voice- no , absolutely not. Let me explain what I believe individuality to be. I believe every child is unique in his own way. Every child has a signature personality, that stands him apart from the crowd. One may be good at sports, some may have musical talent, some may shine as artists. Some may be sociable while few others could be introvert. Some are good at public speaking and interpersonal relationships. While some others are shy and reserved. Every child has his own bent of mind, his own personal style or independent methods and mannerisms. Whether someone likes to go for swimming or mountaineering or diving. Whether you are a nature lover lost in the sky, the greenery around or in the sweet music of the chirping of birds. Or whether you are an animal lover. Whether you would like to go on a silent walk across a park or just prefer to stay home and play video games or watch movies. Whether a child is welcoming and warm or just cold or reserved. Whether he has a empathetic heart that believes we should take all along with us or whether he likes to bug people. It is these different characteristics which differentiates a person or shapes one's individual personality. But never by his dress or fashion sense. Of course your dress contributes to how you are perceived by the world, but it is definitely not all there is to one's individuality or persona. Now emphasizing on the validity of uniforms, I want to give a burning example. If Olympic's champion athlete Dutee chand was to get lost in the the false glam of other kids flaunting their belongings, do you think she could have reached where she is today and made India proud. Yes, I am talking about the same Dutee chand who hails from a BPL family. Tell me what is more essential for a sprinter- good food and facilities or expensive silks. It is because of this rule of uniforms that the ward of a safai karmachari can dream of becoming an IAS officer someday. If uniforms were not made mandatory, it would have been so difficult to break the deceitful world of the charms and enchantments of material pleasure, and we would have lost many a bright kids to this world of vain and ostentatious display where belongings count more than abilities.

By Sonam Pattnaik