In the bustling neighbourhood of my childhood, I remember this house G 198, there was a man whose presence left a lasting impression on my young mind—Ganesh Uncle. He wasn't just Dad's colleague at HAL; he was a craftsman extraordinaire who dabbled in carpentry with a skill that seemed almost magical to my wide-eyed self.
Ganesh Uncle spent his days labouring at HAL, yet it was his evenings and weekends that truly showcased his talent. His small workshop, nestled between our homes, became a sanctuary of creativity and craftsmanship. From intricate furniture pieces to sturdy household essentials, there was nothing Ganesh Uncle couldn't fashion from wood.
Three decades have passed since those days, yet Ganesh Uncle's memory resurfaced recently during a conversation with my friend Neelam Dixit. We found ourselves pondering over the evolving perceptions of careers and the fading allure of traditional crafts.
In today's world, parents often steer their children toward careers perceived as glamorous—medicine, engineering, finance—while overlooking the inherent value in vocations like carpentry, pottery, farming, blacksmithing, and locksmithing. These crafts, once revered for their essential role in society, now languish in the shadows of modern aspirations.
Ganesh Uncle embodied the essence of craftsmanship—a blend of skill, patience, and creativity honed over years of dedication. His work wasn't just about creating tangible objects; it was a testament to resilience and tradition. Each piece he crafted told a story of craftsmanship passed down through generations, a story often overlooked in today's fast-paced world.
As parents, we inadvertently contribute to this cultural shift. We prioritize stability and prestige in our children's careers, fearing that pursuits like carpentry or farming might not offer the same financial security or societal status. Yet, in doing so, are we inadvertently stifling creativity and devaluing the essence of true craftsmanship?
Ganesh Uncle's legacy challenges these perceptions. His workshop was not just a place of work; it was a haven of passion and pride. He taught us that true fulfilment lies not just in the pursuit of wealth or status but in the joy of creating something with one's hands, something that carries a piece of oneself into the world.
Today, as I reflect on Ganesh Uncle's craftsmanship and the dwindling appreciation for traditional trades, I realize the importance of preserving these skills. They are not relics of the past but pillars of resilience and sustainability for the future. Embracing these vocations isn't a step backward; it's a leap towards reclaiming our cultural heritage and fostering a deeper connection to the world around us.
So, let us not forget Ganesh Uncle and the countless craftsmen like him who silently weave magic with their hands. Let us celebrate their artistry, nurture their skills, and instill in future generations the value of craftsmanship, for it is in these humble trades that we find the soul of humanity's journey through time.

Self-Directed Learning: Understanding the Essence
Self-directed learning (SDL) is a timeless concept that empowers individuals to take charge of their educational journey. In this article, we delve into the core components of SDL using the framework of STEM - MSKT.

STEM - MSKT Framework Explained
SDL revolves around Space, Time, Energy, and Motivation, complemented by the Right Mindset, Skill Set, Knowledge Set, and Tool Set.
1.Space (Goal Setting): Define the domain where you aspire to excel, such as a career path or personal development goal.
2.Time (Effective Management): Allocate dedicated time to learn and grow. Effective time management, like scheduling focused study sessions, enhances productivity and consistency. Follow the 90min per activity rule.
3.Energy (Focused Attention): Direct your energy towards your goals by minimizing distractions and staying attentive. This ensures productive learning sessions.
4.Motivation (Intrinsic Drive): Understand your reasons for pursuing a particular path. Whether driven by passion or necessity, motivation fuels consistent progress.

Core Elements of SDL

• Right Mindset: Cultivate a self-directed mindset. Assess your readiness by reflecting on your preference for independent learning, ability to identify knowledge gaps, and willingness to seek assistance when needed.
• Skill Set: Acquire and refine skills essential for your journey. Tailor your skill development based on your objectives, whether it's mastering study techniques or problem-solving abilities.
• Knowledge Set: Gather relevant information through experiences and educational resources. Differentiate between existing knowledge and areas requiring further exploration to guide your learning effectively.
• Tool Set: Utilize appropriate tools and methods, from productive dialogues to structured processes. Adaptability is crucial; embrace new tools that facilitate learning and discard those that hinder progress.

Conclusion
Embracing the STEM - MSKT framework equips you with a robust foundation for SDL. By integrating these principles into your learning approach, you empower yourself to navigate and excel in your educational journey effectively.

The term "open and independent learning" is not to be used loosely. It needs to be understood holistically and worked with very closely in any learning environment. Let us break down the words one by one and understand what it means when we say "open and independent learning".

Learning: Learning is the process of making oneself aware of the way of the world, whether it's the smallest circle of the world around us or the magnanimous universe. The intelligent way of learning is to understand oneself more deeply than merely gathering information about the external world. Every civilization in pursuit of knowledge has ultimately realized that learning about the self is the essence of life. It's a journey from the macro to the microcosmos, starting with understanding the outer physical world and eventually gaining wisdom for the inner journey. So, every learner begins with understanding the external world, then progresses to gain wisdom for the inner journey.

Independent Learning: Isn’t all learning dependent on the learner and the environment? Why, then, focus on independent learning? Does it even make sense? While learning as a process is indeed dependent on the learner and the environment, the objective of learning should be the independent pursuit of the learner. That's the context of independent learning here. An individual learner, in pursuit of knowledge, must explore options and choose to engage in learning. The 'why?' should be clear to the learner before embarking on the learning process. This choice sets the learner on a path that is entirely their own, hence the concept of independent learning. The learner has the freedom to choose their path, companions, and resources to support their learning journey. The learner is responsible and accountable for making the journey worthwhile, and the freedom of independent learning allows them to determine the pace and timing required for their journey.

Open and Independent Learning: The openness we are exploring here encompasses the mindset required of the learner, the openness of the system facilitating the learning process, and the openness of society towards learners. Is the learner open enough to choose their path? If the journey doesn't unfold as planned, is the learner open enough to learn and make necessary adjustments? Is the learner open to feedback and growth? Is this openness only about the learner or does it also involve the environment?

It is indeed about the openness of the system the learner is a part of. The system should be receptive to understanding and providing necessary support to the learner. The environment conducive to learning should be adaptable to the learner's needs for a perfect balance. This balance between the learner and the environment is crucial in open learning spaces. Additionally, societal support for learners who adopt open and independent approaches to learning is vital. Often, parents may resist open learning for their children due to societal pressures. It's essential that the society we live in is accepting of the choices we make for our individual learning needs. A supportive society enables learners to courageously transition from self-designed learning to self-designed living.

​The concept of self-directed learning will be explored in another blog, coming soon.