Inspiring Children’s Passion for Learning: Neha Jhalani Hiranandani’s Mission
Utilizing her books and columns, the acclaimed author, possessing a background in education policy, aims to mold young minds without inducing stress.
In instances where children are afforded ample time and autonomy in their learning journey, they reciprocate with keen attention and eagerness. However, in India, there’s a prevalent emphasis on excelling in examinations, resulting in students being compelled to concentrate solely on a select few subjects. Furthermore, they are encumbered with the obligation to attend not only regular school sessions but also numerous hours of tuition classes during evenings and weekends. Several observers have highlighted the unfortunate shift where learning has evolved into a source of distress rather than joy for children. One such advocate for change is author Neha Jhalani Hiranandani.
Through her columns and books, Neha Hiranandani has been raising awareness about the principles to adhere to and avoid when shaping young minds. In a column from 2016, she advocated for children to deviate from conventional norms and pursue their passions rather than solely focusing on subjects that yield the highest scores. Her argument was supported by a striking statistic: a staggering 95% of high school students in Indian metropolitan areas receive private tutoring.
With a solid understanding of the challenges within the education sector, Neha Hiranandani possesses a comprehensive background. While pursuing studies in English literature and international relations at Wellesley, followed by education policy at Harvard, she acquired insights into developmental issues and gender equality. Subsequently, she commenced her career at UNICEF, collaborating with governmental and non-governmental entities to positively impact education policies in Indian schools. Upon returning to India, the author extensively engaged with students, who shared their experiences of the exhausting and demoralizing nature of their schedules. Highlighting the urgency of addressing these issues, she reinforced her concerns with another significant indicator: the alarming rate of youth suicide attributed to examination failures.
In addition to the burden of tutoring, students also face a shortage of learning resources that stimulate their creativity. This spark must originate from sources beyond traditional classroom instruction and curriculum. This is why the author hasn’t merely limited herself to commenting on the problem but has authored two books aimed at fostering parent-child bonding through learning. The first book, “Girl Power: Indian Women Who Broke the Rules,” presented tales of accomplished women, enabling young girls and boys to discover more role models from India.
“I’ve always believed in the power of girls, having two daughters of my own, but these stories truly embody the ascent of women. This remarkable new book serves as inspiration for the upcoming generation. While they may be familiar with the tales of Kiran Mazumdar Shaw and Indra Nooyi, they’ll also uncover the significant yet untold narratives of women like Manju Devi,” lauded industrialist Anand Mahindra in a tweet, listing the book among his top recommended reads.
In her subsequent book, “iParent: Embracing Parenting in the Digital Age,” Neha Jhalani Hiranandani acknowledges that today’s parents are navigating the challenges of raising children in an era dominated by digital technology. Children rely on the internet as a primary source of learning and growth, presenting both advantages and drawbacks. Consequently, parents must share insights and gather knowledge about their children’s constant digital companion. Similar to her first book, Neha Hiranandani aims to foster stress-free education and child-rearing through her second publication.
