Who is Truly Uneducated?

In an era where information is everywhere—satellites in space, AI in our pockets, schools in every town—we must ask: Has education really made us better human beings?

Every year, we see bridges collapse, roads washed away, and garbage heaps growing near temples and rivers. Ironically, the so-called “illiterate” people of the past left behind monuments, temples, and ecosystems that still stand strong, while today’s “educated” class often leaves destruction in its path.

This is not an emotional outcry. This is a fact-based reality check.

🕉️ Ancient Wisdom: Built with Faith, Surviving with Strength

In Himachal Pradesh and across India, countless structures built centuries ago still remain stable, beautiful, and spiritually alive:

• Shamshari Mahadev Temple, Anni: A wooden temple believed to be centuries old, built without machines but still standing tall amidst heavy rains, snow, and quakes.
  

Image Credit: Shamshari Mahadev

• Parashurama Kothi, Nirmand: A remarkable example of Kath-Kuni architecture, with interlocking wooden and stone frames that have survived earthquakes for over 1000 years.
  

Image Credit: Parshuram Kothi, Nirmand

• Brihadeeswara Temple (Tamil Nadu): Built in the 11th century using no cement, yet it still defies gravity and architectural norms.
• Sun Temple, Konark: Designed to harness solar alignment centuries ago—an astronomical marvel.
• Stepwells of Gujarat (like Rani Ki Vav): Ancient water-harvesting systems with artistic excellence and utility combined.

These were not made by engineers with degrees, but by craftsmen, yogis, and visionaries who respected nature, proportions, and energy.

🏛️ British Infrastructure: Built with Planning, Still Functional

Even during the colonial period, the British left behind infrastructure that—despite their imperial motives—shows lasting strength and planning:

• Indian Railways: Still using many tracks, tunnels, and bridges built over 100 years ago.
• Old bridges like Howrah Bridge (1943): No nuts or bolts—yet still operating.
• Shimla-Kalka Rail Line (opened 1903): A UNESCO World Heritage site, still working with minimal repair.
• British-era drainage, post offices, and schools: Built for functionality, not show, and many still serve society today.

Though built under colonial rule, these projects were engineered with discipline, structural knowledge, and future vision—not just for votes or money.

🏗️ Modern Infrastructure: Collapsing Within Years

Now compare that with today’s development:

• Kullu’s Bailey Bridge collapsed months after repair.
• Mandi’s roads sink and crack every monsoon, even with crores spent.
• Chandigarh to Manali four-lane tunnel leaks within months, while local ecology suffers.
• Flyovers in cities like Delhi collapse under light traffic, risking lives.
• Multi-storey buildings fall during construction, killing workers.

The pattern is clear: modern projects are fast, flashy—and fragile.

💥 But Why? Why Is This Happening Despite Education?

Let’s examine the core reasons why today’s education often fails to create moral, responsible humans:

1. Education without Ethics

Students are taught coding, AI, and marketing. But where are the lessons on empathy, ecology, and integrity? Morality is no longer part of the curriculum—result: high IQ, low values.

2. Degrees, Not Wisdom

Society respects the degree-holder, not the wise villager or farmer. We judge by English fluency, not by behavior or ethics. As a result, corruption wears a suit and speaks fluent English.

3. Development for Profit, Not People

Projects are sanctioned to please contractors or political donors. Forests are cut for tunnels, but no one thinks of water tables, landslides, or sacred groves. It’s not development—it’s exploitation, marketed as progress.

4. Disconnect from Roots

Today’s youth are raised on screens, not soil. They know how to create reels but not how to respect a temple courtyard. They visit pilgrimage sites for content, not consciousness.

📢 The Loudest Noise at Pilgrimage Sites Today: Speakers, Not Prayers

Visit any sacred site—Manikaran, Prashar Lake, or Rewalsar:

• You’ll hear loud DJ songs, not mantras.
• You’ll see plastic bottles in rivers, not diya lamps.
• You’ll smell alcohol near shrines, not incense.

And this is done not by tribal people, but by educated tourists with access to GPS, Instagram, and medical care. This is the decay of cultural sense, not lack of infrastructure.

🧠 Who Is Truly Uneducated? Let’s Redefine It

Let’s stop thinking of education as school marks or degrees. Ask these questions instead:

Question	Ancient/Uneducated Villager	Modern Educated Person
Do they respect nature?	✅ Yes	❌ Often no
Do they build for future generations?	✅ Yes	❌ Rarely
Do they maintain sacred silence?	✅ Yes	❌ No—bring Bluetooth speaker
Do they live sustainably?	✅ Yes	❌ Consume & pollute
Do they have inner peace?	✅ Often	❌ Rarely

Isn’t it time we stopped calling the villager “uneducated” and started calling out the true ignorance behind pollution, noise, corruption, and cultural vandalism?

🌱 Education That Doesn’t Respect Nature Is Not Education

The Earth is bleeding—floods, landslides, cracked hillsides. We caused it. Not the illiterate shepherd or farmer. The educated class is at the center of the climate crisis, cultural disrespect, and infrastructure failure.

We built malls but lost meaning. We made roads but forgot the path. We studied everything—but understood nothing.

🙏 Let’s Return to Real Education: The Kind That Teaches Reverence

• Reverence for life, soil, water, trees, and temples.
• Reverence for silence, depth, and ancestral wisdom.
• Reverence for your own actions and their long-term impact.

Because the ones who leave behind plastic at a sacred lake… The ones who drink and dance near ancient shrines… The ones who build roads only to collapse… They may be “educated” on paper, but they are the real uneducated minds of this age.

🧭 Conclusion: We Need a New Kind of Education

One that teaches values along with technology. One that integrates culture with science. One that rebuilds the bridge between modern life and timeless wisdom.

Let’s not worship degrees. Let’s value the dignity of action.

Because it’s not who went to school… It’s who respects the Earth, honors the sacred, and lives with integrity… That’s the truly educated person.