Fighting Exams and Finding Truth: A Student’s War with Lies

Fighting Exams and Finding Truth: A Student’s War with Lies

War and principles—I used to think they were just big words in history books, far from my late-night cramming for exams. As the Principal of Smarto Experiential School, a teacher, and a father, I now see wars everywhere, even in a student’s life. From ancient battlefields to my desk piled with CAT notes back then, it was all a fight. In ancient times, war was a game with strict rules, like cricket matches today. Now, wars—whether on borders or in exam halls—are fought without principles. Nations strike first, like Israel did in 2007 with Operation Orchard, sending eight F-15 and F-16 jets to secretly destroy a suspected nuclear reactor in Syria’s Deir ez-Zor. In 1981, Israel’s Operation Opera used 14 F-16s to bomb Iraq’s Osirak reactor, halting its nuclear dreams. I wonder: do principles survive when winning is everything? As a student, I felt that pressure—sacrificing sleep, joy, even honesty, just to get ahead in the CAT race.

Ancient Wars: Rules or Just Excuses?

In ancient times, war was the real game—no badminton or sharpshooting, just swords and honor. Rules were sacred, meant to prove courage. But did they last? In the Ramayana, Lord Rama fought Ravana fair and square, but killing Bali from behind with Sugriva’s help? That felt like a shortcut. Vibhishana switching to Rama’s side—loyalty or betrayal? In the Mahabharata, things got messier. Bhishma swore not to fight Shikhandi, but Arjuna used him as a shield to attack. Ashwatthama’s midnight massacre of the Pandava camp was pure vengeance, no honor. Even in ancient Greece, the Trojan War (around 1200 BCE) ended with the Trojan Horse—a sneaky wooden gift that burned Troy to ashes. “All’s fair in love, war, and business,” they say. As a teenager, I cheered for these heroes while struggling with Maths in Class 11, where I flunked an exam and felt like a failure. Now, as a teacher, I question: were these heroes or just clever rule-breakers? I confess, I once copied a friend’s homework, thinking it was “just surviving” to pass.

Modern Wars: Power Over Principles

Today, wars are different—no swords, just jets and codes. Principles take a backseat to strategy. In the 1967 Six-Day War, Israel wiped out Egypt, Syria, and Jordan’s air forces in hours, turning the tide. Cyber wars are sneakier—remember Stuxnet in 2010, a virus allegedly from the US and Israel that crippled Iran’s nuclear plants? As a student, I battled my own wars: mock tests, rank lists, parental hopes. I even missed an exam during graduation, thinking my future was doomed. War was once a game; despite their rules, today’s battles feel like wars. The Olympics is a battlefield where countries flex their might. Rules exist, but they bend. Russia’s 2016 Rio Olympic ban over doping scandals proved that. Closer home, Vinesh Phogat’s 2024 Paris Olympic disqualification for being slightly over 50 kg felt like a punch. She fought hard, yet a scale decided her fate. I’ve felt that sting—missing a CAT cutoff by a whisker, wondering if rules are fair or just traps. When winning is all that matters, do principles stand a chance?

Students’ Battlegrounds: Exams as Wars

War isn’t just tanks and bombs; it’s in our lives, especially as students. In 2024, 12 lakh kids fought the JEE Main, and 24 lakh tackled NEET. These aren’t just exams—they’re wars. The coaching industry, worth over ₹50,000 crore, thrives on our dreams. But are these tests about talent or just shortlisting? As a principal, I’ve seen students cry over mock test scores, feeling like soldiers out of ammo. I’ve been there—nights weeping over CAT prep, thinking I’d never make it after failing Maths in Class 11. Rules are strict—time limits, OMR sheets, no cheating. But who makes these rules? Colleges and coaching centers, raking in fees while we scramble. I overheard a teacher once say, “Exams aren’t about learning; they’re about filtering.” That hit hard. Failing a test doesn’t end life, but it feels like it. I missed a graduation exam, thought my life was over. Spoiler: it wasn’t. Why do we let these battles define us?

When wars—on borders or answer sheets—are fought like games, rules matter. But when it’s do-or-die, principles slip. Ancient warriors fought for honor until victory took over. Today, in sports, business, or exams, it’s the same. I’ve seen classmates sneak glances at answer keys, not because they’re bad, but because losing feels worse. I’m guilty too—skipped a chapter, banking on guesswork. It worked, but I felt hollow.

Truth vs. Lies: A Student’s Confusion

Truth is tricky, like a puzzle with missing pieces. People say truth is clear, but it’s messy. Lies? They’re too perfect. If a hundred people repeat the same story, it’s probably fake, like a WhatsApp forward. Everyone’s truth depends on their lens. History shows this. Alexander’s 326 BCE India campaign splits scholars: did he crush Porus at Hydaspes, or did his tired army force him to retreat? India’s 1857 revolt is our First War of Independence, but British records call it the “Sepoy Mutiny.” As a teacher, I see students confused by textbooks that glorify one side. As a student, I was lost too—believing every note I scribbled for exams was the ‘truth,’ too scared to voice doubts about my textbooks. In college, rumors spread about a leaked paper. Everyone believed it, but it was a hoax. I wasted hours chasing it instead of studying. Lies are loud; truth is quiet.

This tug-of-war between truth and lies mirrors the world’s balance. Science backs this—electricity needs plus and minus; magnets need north and south. Earth orbits the sun, drifting 15 cm farther each year, yet stays stable. Good and bad, truth and lies, coexist equally. As a father, I tell my kids: there are as many good people as bad, keeping the world in check. As a principal, I’ve learned the hard way—students believe rumors about “sure-shot” questions, only to crash. I did too, wasting time on Vedic Maths “hacks” for CAT that were lies. As students, we’re caught in this war—chasing marks, ranks, and “truths” that might just be someone else’s story.

Fighting On, Finding Truth

War and principles—they’re in every history chapter and every corner of a student’s life. From Trojan Horses to Stuxnet, Bhishma’s vows to Vinesh’s disqualification, the lesson is clear: principles shine until winning becomes king. As the Principal of Smarto Experiential School, I’ve fought my wars—sleepless nights over CAT, the shame of failing Maths in Class 11, the panic of missing a graduation exam. I’ve fallen for lies, like thinking one test defined me. But I’m learning, and I want today’s students to learn too: truth isn’t clear. What you see, hear, or feel is often adulterated—mixed with half-truths and agendas. To find truth, be critical thinkers. Look at every issue from 360-degrees—question textbooks, rumors, even your own beliefs. Every good deed has a flip side; every solution creates a new problem. Real education is reflecting on what good you’re doing, what problems you’re solving, and what harm might follow. Choose battles that matter, with minimal damage to others. That’s a purposeful life.

Some people do more good, others more bad, but the world balances out. To my fellow teachers, this is our responsibility too. As a teacher, I urge my fellow educators: nurture these qualities in your students. Teach them to question, reflect, and weigh their actions. The ball is in their court—and yours. As a father, I hope my children grow up not just chasing marks but seeking truth with courage. My CAT days taught me: losing a battle doesn’t end the war. Hold onto your principles, however shaky, and keep fighting for a life that matters. What truths are you chasing, and what principles will you fight for?

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