Every Child Spec Reaction

Nomar B. Capoy

Prof. Cerbo

SPED 530

Every Child is Special Reaction Paper

There is a scene in Taare Zameen Par when the protagonist Ishaan (Darsheel Safary) runs away from school and loiters on the road for the whole day – for the fear of being punished for not having done his homework. I never did anything like that in school but keep doing it regularly once I started work. The comparison might not be warranted but this is just one of those scenes which made me relate to Ishaan’s plight in the movie. On paper, this is the story of a kid suffering from dyslexia and how with the help of an understanding teacher he overcomes it against all odds. But honestly (and more importantly) this is an open indictment of education system and parents…and their frenzy to produce “winners”. There have been films in the past like Bommarillu and Good Will Hunting which have tackled the issue of an individual’s own inclinations coming in conflict the rest-of-the-world’s perception of what is best for them. Taare is probably more timely and significant because it deals with a phase of life where one is hardly aware of a thing called “choice”/”interest”/”inclination” and so is very likely to shrivel and retreat into a shell (too young to understand that he/she is just different but not wrong)….when figures of authority simply pronounce judgements rather than trying to understand the problem an individual is facing. The incidents involving the teacher-student interactions depicted in this movie are so relevant in today’s times when you get to see and hear on television at regular intervals innovative punishments like electric shocks being doled out to students. There are particularly heart rending moments like the whole initial boarding school sequence – set to the song “Tujhe Sab To Pata Hai Na Maa” which covey the unspoken emotions of a child separated from his mother when he most needs her. It’s been a long time since I had tears in my eyes (for the right reasons) when watching a film – No emotional manipulation here thankfully! Aamir Khan and Amol Gupte (Writer and Creative Director) have crafted a wonderful film which hits you hard – whether you are a child or a parent/teacher. It felt so much better after watching this. This is a movie which a child may or may not understand but one which every parent/teacher should watch to understand their child. The true worth of this thought-provoking film is in its educational value. The film educates the audience about dyslexia and promotes the idea that every child should be treated with love and respect despite his or her faults. A deeper look at the film brings out a bigger picture. The underlying theme is identifiable to anyone who is looked upon as “different”. Too often, at least in this country, it seems that people live their lives based on templates. They follow the examples of others rather than letting their thinking lead them. One of the problems then is that anything or

anyone that does not match the common templates is thought to be “different” or “abnormal” in a negative sense. Even people who are different, adapt over time and conform to what society considers normal or standard. Not the sort of environment that creates or promotes a thinker or a genius or anyone that truly stands out from the crowd and has the ability to set an example for others. Nevertheless, some are able to overcome these barriers and achieve exactly what they want to. This film, therefore, helps promote the thought that being different, in whatever way, isn’t exactly abnormal or wrong The movie only implicates that if a child isn’t normal like others, we must not lose hope on them because every child is special. God created every individual either normal or not with such wonderful talents, skills and ability. Everyone is made to be precious that is why instead of hurting or maltreating people like Ishaan they must then be loved and cared and simply appreciate the beauty beyond their being special. Thus they must then be treated fairly, humanly and with kindness because though they are not normal they can also feel hurt and lonesomeness however with good treatments their world will surely be much more meaningful and truly they will feel the sense of belongingness, acceptance and love