Wanted exam to be more engaging: IIT Kanpur on ‘Kejriwal & Mann Ki Baat’ question
The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur has confirmed that a question paper asking students to design a filter for Arvind Kejriwal, the Chief Minister of Delhi, to help him listen to PM Narendra Modi’s ‘Mann Ki Baat’ radio program after Delhi poll loss went viral on social media. The question was part of a recent exam and has sparked a heated debate on the purpose and relevance of such a question.
The question, which has been shared widely on social media, reads: “Design a filter to help Arvind Kejriwal tune into PM’s Mann Ki Baat after Delhi poll loss.” The question has been met with a mix of reactions, with some calling it a clever way to make exams more engaging, while others have questioned the relevance and purpose of such a question.
IIT Kanpur has since confirmed that the question was indeed part of the exam paper and has explained that the professor who drafted the question likes to use “references to well-known personalities…to make exam questions more engaging.” The institute has also clarified that the question was not meant to be taken seriously and was simply a creative way to test the students’ problem-solving skills.
The controversy surrounding the question has sparked a wider debate on the role of exams in education and the importance of making them more engaging and relevant to real-life scenarios. Proponents of the question argue that it helps to make exams more enjoyable and challenging, while opponents argue that it is a waste of time and can be distracting from the actual learning process.
One of the main concerns raised about the question is that it is not relevant to the subject being taught. The question is not related to the field of engineering or technology, which is what the students are studying, and some have questioned why the professor would include such a question in the exam paper. Others have argued that the question is not only irrelevant but also unfair, as it gives an unfair advantage to students who are familiar with politics and current events.
On the other hand, proponents of the question argue that it is a clever way to test the students’ problem-solving skills and creativity. They argue that the question requires students to think outside the box and come up with innovative solutions to a real-world problem. They also argue that the question is a good way to make exams more engaging and enjoyable, as it provides a break from the usual routine of multiple-choice questions and essay writing.
The ‘Mann Ki Baat’ program is a monthly radio address by the Prime Minister of India, in which he shares his thoughts and opinions on various issues affecting the country. The program is known for its informal and conversational tone, and has become popular among Indians who tune in to hear the Prime Minister’s thoughts on various issues.
The controversy surrounding the question has also raised questions about the role of politics in education. Some have argued that the question is a form of political propaganda and that it is not appropriate to include such questions in an exam paper. Others have argued that the question is a way to engage students with current events and to encourage them to think critically about the issues affecting their country.
In conclusion, the question asking students to design a filter for Arvind Kejriwal to listen to PM Narendra Modi’s ‘Mann Ki Baat’ has sparked a heated debate on the purpose and relevance of such a question. While some have questioned the relevance and purpose of the question, others have argued that it is a creative way to test students’ problem-solving skills and make exams more engaging. The controversy has also raised questions about the role of politics in education and the importance of making exams more relevant and engaging to real-life scenarios.
