By Neeta Agarwal Doshi
We want our children to believe that God loves all
Yet brazenly we discriminate, based on things big and small
We want our children to believe that good looks or good marks
Are not the only way to bedazzle or ignite their spark
Yet in reality, good looks and good scores take precedence
Unabashedly, we allow our prejudice to influence
In how we perceive a human being
We first assess their looks and score record
And assume that all that glitters is gold
A fair-skinned, beautiful or a high-flying person
Can never be harsh, unkind or cold!
And it’s not a big shock or very astonishing,
Scoring full marks begets great importance
The ones who dared to score below ninety
Are looked down upon like they are a nobody
We don’t care about anyone’s mental state
We just follow the herd and blame it on fate
We do not listen and empathise
We only hear, opine and hypothesize
We don’t dare to swim against the tide
We can’t acknowledge failure and take it in our stride
The ones trying hard against all odds
Are brushed aside like children of a lesser God.
While good looks and good marks must definitely be celebrated
Average looks and average marks cannot be simply relegated
Without the average, the highest would mean nothing
If all were beauty queens or toppers, success wouldn’t be as pleasing.
Blatantly we place our pride on the ever-fleeting success
When the soul’s beauty is eternal and timeless.
Better marks and looks maybe a better stepping stone
But it’s also true that what the future holds, is unknown.
So go on, celebrate the beauties and the toppers
But spare a thought also, for the non-title holders
Let the low scorers and plain janes also live and brag
They try their best and deserve a pat on their back
Let us create this inclusivity and reassure them with hope
There is a world beyond looks and marks where everyone has a scope!
By Neeta Agarwal Doshi
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