I just completed
“Diary of a young Girl” by Anne Frank. It is a simple yet profound compilation of letters by Anne Frank during World War II. It describes her experiences in hiding at “Secret Annexe” along with 7 others during the Nazi occupation of Holland. There have been several stories of human faith, bravery and struggles, but nothing has moved me like this.
It is easy to relate to Anne’s deeper thoughts and the first thing that strikes me is “Why not make it a compulsory reading for middle schools in India? Throughout our education, the teachers make several attempts to stuff us with facts and figures of history, which are usually crammed by students to reproduce without analysis. I till date regret missing the deeper linkages to those history lessons. I must admit that all the facts that supported the Nazis autocracies have failed to make the impact on mind and soul. But this one made it in a single stroke.
A young girl’s common experience during her youth about friends, love and dreams become profound due to the existing political situation and make it easy for the reader to identify with the grave situation. A must read for all those budding young minds who wish to delve deeper on lessons of compassion, brotherhood and human rights! And for me, I wish I get an opportunity to visit the Anne Frank museum to pay my tribute to the courageous woman!