During my school days
receiving a certificate either in competition, sports or in academics was celebratory
news. The certificates were considered as real honour and only the best would
receive it.
I remember the first
certificate I received when I was in the Fifth grade for being part of the
M.B.Srinivisan’s troupe for an audition at A.I.R., Chennai. For me, then, it
was a great possession.
Nowadays, children are given
certificates even for trivial achievements. My six year old daughter bagged her
first certificate when she was 2.5 yrs old from her play home during a sports
event. Though she has merit certificates in literary fest and chess tournaments
still her school recently awarded a certificate for passing U.K.G !!
I feel the child, going
forward, will not understand the real value of certificates.
Couple of days before, I was
arranging the cup-board and was going through my certificates which I received
during the school and college days. My little one sat beside and asked that how
many I have – I said ‘30
certificates’.
Immediately she brought her
certificates and counted and said ‘amma I have only eleven certificates. You
have more’.
Poor girl was unaware of the
fact that her mom has received only 30 certificates throughout her student
life!!!!
