Two Decades, Two Centuries: A Generation Trapped in Time"

"While the world races to Mars, some promises lie broken amid classrooms and shattered dreams. Can we truly call this progress, or is it a betrayal of an entire generation's future?”Where Do They Belong? The 21st Century or the 18th?

By HAJRA BANO 

hajrabano1910@gmail.com

"Time waits for no one, but what we do with time defines who we are." Twenty years — is it a short span or a lifetime? Is it enough to change someone's destiny, to transform a struggling life into a success story? Or is it merely a number that slips by unnoticed, leaving us in the same place as before? Twenty years can build empires, nurture dreams, and rewrite futures. We are in the 21st century,” people say proudly, pointing to Mars missions, AI-powered robots, and technological revolutions. But then, there’s another side of the same century—a forgotten corner that seems frozen in time, stuck somewhere in the 18th century with nothing but the same struggles repeating themselves.Have you ever thought about how a nation moves forward when one part is flying, and the other is left crawling? When cities beam with skyscrapers, and villages struggle for a school?

Take a step into the village of Jammu and Kashmir, —where I grew up. It’s a reality that feels more like a bitter irony,a region of breathtaking beauty but harsh realities. It’s a land where the 21st century feels like a distant dream. The education system, the foundation of any society’s progress, still lags far behind. Can we truly call ourselves part of this advanced century when some of our schools remain in the same condition as they were two decades ago? 

A School Stuck in Time

I recently visited the school where I learned my first alphabet. The nostalgia was quickly replaced with shock. The rented building that housed the school 20 years ago is still being rented today. No proper infrastructure has been built; the school operates from a cramped house with just four rooms—one used as an office and the other three as classrooms. What’s worse, this building hosts not one but two government schools.

The question is, how can two schools with over 100 students function in just three classrooms? Two schools. Four rooms. Hundreds of children. The math doesn’t add up, does it? Neither does the education system.How are students learning? Or, more importantly, are they even learning?And this is not just one school; it’s the story of most schools in this area. These children—the first generation to seek education from families where parents are 90% illiterate—are expected to “dream big” and build futures. But how?How can we dream of a high secondary education when their primary and high schools are broken beyond repair?”

A Broken System

It’s not just about the infrastructure. The reality is even more disheartening.Education is said to be the key to success, but what happens when the key is rusty and the lock unfit? The truth is heartbreaking. The first generation of Gujjar children stepping into schools in this area faces countless challenges. Children are sent to graze cattle more often than they are sent to school.Their parents, many of whom are illiterate, fail to prioritize education. “What good will education do?” they ask. “At least grazing cattle will teach them survival.”What is the future of a generation whose present is herding goats instead of holding books?

Even when some students make it to school, the situation inside is no better. A few months before the academic year ends, students are still stuck on the first or second chapter of their syllabus. Teachers, parents, and even the system have given up. The children? They are simply going through the motions

Let’s talk about another government building in the same area—a hostel meant for Gujjar girls. This structure, designed to empower young girls with education and safety, now operates as a day school. It lacks basic staff like wardens and principals. Can we expect progress when such facilities fail to serve their purpose?

The result? Children drop out, parents remain disinterested, and the cycle of ignorance continues. The dream of a better future fades into the harsh reality of grazing cattle and household chores.

A Future in Doubt

"Education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world," said Nelson Mandela. Yet, in these villages, education seems more like a broken promise. While we enjoy the fruits of progress—smartphones, global opportunities, and access to knowledge—these children fight for their basic right to education. How can we even talk about equity or inclusivity when villages like this exists.How can we expect this generation to thrive when their basic schooling is in shambles? How can they compete in a world that’s sending rovers to Mars while they lack desks to sit on?

We boast of being a global superpower, yet we fail to provide a school building, qualified teachers, and a basic infrastructure to our children. Isn’t this a betrayal of the very future we claim to secure?

The 21st century is supposed to be an era of innovation, progress, and technology. But for these children, it feels like the 18th century, where survival comes first, and dreams are a luxury. Will they have to wait another 50 years to catch up to where the rest of the world is today?

When will the government wake up?Every election season, politicians parade through these villages, shaking hands, making promises, and loudly declaring their plans for a “better future.” Is their job only to visit during elections, make loud promises, and then disappear? But where do these promises go after elections?Do these children matter only as numbers on a voter list? Or Do they vanish into the same rented rooms that our children study in?

A Bitter Truth

The bitter truth is that their previous generation remained illiterate, their current generation struggles for basic education, and if nothing changes, their next generation will face the same fate. This is not the fault of one individual or one party; this is the collective failure of a nation that prides itself on progress but forgets its roots.

When will the government step in and stop this cycle of neglect? When will we prioritize education over empty promises? How long will it take to bridge the gap between two centuries that exist in one country?

Who’s Responsible?

"If you think education is expensive, try ignorance," said Derek Bok. But here, ignorance isn’t a choice—it’s the only option. And the cost? An entire generation’s future.

If we continue to ignore this reality, we aren’t just leaving these children behind; we are pulling the entire nation back. Progress is meaningless if it doesn’t reach everyone. It's high time we ask ourselves: Are we really in the 21st century? Or are we only pretending?

The blame doesn’t rest solely on the parents or the teachers. It’s a collective failure. The government’s negligence, the community’s indifference, and a lack of awareness all contribute to this dire situation. Yet, the most painful question remains: What is the future of this generation when the present has already failed them?

It’s time to wake up. Twenty years are enough to change a destiny, but only if we act now. If we don’t, these 20 years will pass just like the last—leaving behind nothing but regret and lost potential.