In today’s fast world, many Indians are losing touch with basic skills. These skills include general knowledge, multiplication tables, and handwriting. Even educated people who earn a lot of money often don’t know simple facts. For example, they may not know that the cell is the basic unit of the human body. They might forget how many stars are in our Solar System (just one, the Sun). They may even struggle to say how many years are in a century (100). On top of that, many cannot recall multiplication tables up to 25 or write neatly. Why is this happening? What can we do to fix it?

What Are These Basic Skills?

Let’s start by understanding the skills we’re talking about:

1. General Knowledge: This means knowing simple facts about the world. For example:
   • The cell is the building block of all living things, like humans, animals, and plants.
   • Our Solar System has one star (the Sun) and eight planets, like Earth and Mars.
   • A century is 100 years.
   • Other facts include India’s national animal (Bengal Tiger) or the longest river (Ganga).
2. Multiplication Tables: These are math facts, like 12 x 3 = 36 or 15 x 7 = 105. Knowing tables up to 18 (like 18 x 9 = 162) helps with quick calculations in daily life, like shopping or budgeting.
3. Handwriting: This is the ability to write clearly and neatly by hand. Good handwriting makes notes, letters, or exam answers easy to read.

These skills are taught in school, but many Indians, even those with good jobs, forget them. Let’s explore why.

Why Are Indians Forgetting General Knowledge?

General knowledge is like the foundation of learning. It helps us understand the world. But many people in India don’t know basic facts anymore. Here are the reasons:

1. Too Much Social Media

Social media apps like Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok are very popular. People spend hours watching short videos or reading funny posts. These apps show fun things, like dance videos or celebrity news, but not useful facts. For example, someone might know the latest movie star’s name but not that the Sun is the only star in our Solar System. Social media takes time away from learning important things.

2. School Focuses on Exams

In India, schools teach students to pass exams. Subjects like math, science, and English are important for marks. But general knowledge topics, like history or geography, are not tested much after Class 5 or 6. So, students forget facts like the year India became free (1947) or the name of the biggest desert (Antarctica, a cold desert). Schools don’t teach kids to love learning facts for life.

3. Busy Lives

Many educated Indians work hard in jobs like IT, engineering, or business. They earn a lot, sometimes lakhs or crores. But their work is so busy that they don’t have time to read books or learn new facts. They think general knowledge is not needed for their job, so they forget things like what a cell does in the body.

4. Easy Access to Google

Today, everyone has a smartphone. If someone doesn’t know a fact, they can search for it online. This makes people lazy. Why remember that a century is 100 years when you can ask Google? Over time, they stop trying to keep facts in their mind.

5. Less Curiosity

In the past, people loved to learn new things. They read newspapers or talked about history with friends. Now, many Indians care more about trends, like fashion or gadgets. As you said, “cloth size is decreasing,” meaning people focus on looks, not knowledge. This makes them less curious about the world.

Why Are Multiplication Tables Forgotten?

Multiplication tables are a key part of math. Knowing tables up to 25 (like 18×6=108 or 25×10=250) makes math fast and easy. But many Indians, even those who studied well, can’t recall them. Here’s why:

1. Calculators and Phones

Today, everyone uses calculators or phone apps for math. If someone needs to find 22×4, they type it into their phone instead of thinking. This means they don’t practice tables, so they forget them. Even kids in school use calculators for big numbers, which makes tables seem unimportant.

2. School Stops Practicing

In primary school, teachers make students learn tables from 2 to 20. But after Class 5, tables are not practiced much. Subjects like algebra or geometry take over. By the time students are in college or working, they can’t remember 17×8 (it’s 136). Schools don’t remind students to keep practicing.

3. No Use in Jobs

Many high-paying jobs, like software coding or marketing, don’t need mental math. People use computers or apps like Excel for calculations. So, they think, “Why learn 23×5 when my computer can do it?” This makes tables feel useless, and they forget them.

4. Less Mental Math

In the past, people did math in their heads. For example, they calculated bills or discounts while shopping. Now, machines do this work. Cashiers use computers, and online shopping apps show the total. This means people don’t practice math, and tables slip away.

5. Not Fun to Learn

Learning tables can be boring if it’s just repeating numbers. Schools don’t always make it fun with games or tricks. So, students learn tables to pass tests but forget them later because they didn’t enjoy it.

Why Is Handwriting So Bad?

Handwriting used to be a big deal in India. Teachers made students practice neat writing in notebooks. But now, many people, even educated ones, have messy handwriting. Here’s why:

1. Typing Instead of Writing

Most people type on phones or laptops. Students submit homework online, and workers send emails, not letters. This means they rarely write by hand. Without practice, their handwriting gets worse. For example, a doctor’s prescription is often so messy that patients can’t read it.

2. Less Focus in Schools

In the past, schools gave marks for neat handwriting. Students practiced cursive or print writing every day. Now, schools care more about answers than how they look. Digital exams are also becoming common, so kids don’t practice writing. By the time they’re adults, their handwriting is hard to read.

3. Busy Schedules

People with good jobs are always in a rush. They scribble notes quickly instead of writing neatly. Over time, this makes their handwriting messy. Even in exams, students write fast to finish, not to be clear.

4. Social Media and Trends

As you said, people care about trends, like fashion or short videos. Handwriting isn’t “cool” or something to show off on social media. Nobody posts their notebook on Instagram. So, people don’t try to improve it.

5. No Feedback

When kids are young, teachers correct their writing. But adults don’t get feedback. If their handwriting is bad, nobody tells them. They keep writing messily, and it gets worse.

Why Do These Problems Matter?

Losing these skills isn’t just a small issue. It affects life in many ways. Here’s why general knowledge, multiplication tables, and handwriting are important:

1. General Knowledge Helps You Understand the World

Knowing basic facts makes you smarter about life. For example:

• Understanding that cells are the body’s building blocks helps you care about health.
• Knowing the Solar System has one star (the Sun) makes you curious about space.
• Remembering a century is 100 years helps you understand history, like when India became free in 1947. Without general knowledge, you might believe wrong information from social media or miss out on interesting conversations.

2. Multiplication Tables Make Math Easy

Tables help you do math fast without a phone. For example:

• If you know 17 x 4 = 68, you can quickly figure out the cost of 17 items at ₹4 each.
• Tables help in jobs like accounting or even cooking (doubling a recipe).
• Mental math keeps your brain sharp and saves time. If you forget tables, you rely on machines, which can slow you down or make you less confident.

3. Good Handwriting Builds Trust

Clear handwriting makes a good impression. For example:

• In exams, neat answers are easier for teachers to read, so you might get better marks.
• In jobs, clear notes or signatures show you care about details.
• Handwriting is part of India’s culture, like beautiful Devanagari or Urdu calligraphy. Losing it means losing heritage. Messy handwriting can cause mistakes, like a wrong number in a form or a note nobody understands.

4. These Skills Show Discipline

Learning facts, tables, or neat writing takes effort. People who practice these skills show they are disciplined. This helps in other parts of life, like work or studies. If you give up on basics, you might give up on bigger goals too.

Who Is Affected by This?

These problems affect many types of people in India:

• Students: Kids forget tables or facts after primary school. Their handwriting gets worse because they type more.
• Working People: Even those earning lakhs or crores don’t know basic facts or tables. Their handwriting is messy because they don’t write often.
• Parents: Many parents can’t help their kids with homework because they’ve forgotten these skills.
• Teachers: Some teachers struggle to teach these basics because they focus on exams or don’t know fun ways to teach.

Even rich and educated people face this. For example, a software engineer might code amazing apps but not know that the Ganga is India’s longest river. A doctor might save lives but have handwriting nobody can read. This shows that money or degrees don’t mean you know everything.

How Can We Fix These Problems?

The good news is that we can bring these skills back. Here are simple ideas for students, parents, schools, and everyone else:

1. Improve General Knowledge

• Read Every Day: Spend 10 minutes reading a newspaper, book, or website about science, history, or India. For example, read about why the sky is blue (it’s because of light scattering).
• Watch Smart Shows: Instead of short videos, watch shows like “Planet Earth” or “Kaun Banega Crorepati” to learn facts.
• Play Quizzes: Use apps like QuizUp or play trivia with friends. Ask questions like, “What’s India’s national bird?” (It’s the peacock.)
• Talk About Facts: Discuss things like the Solar System or Indian history with family. It makes learning fun.
• Use Social Media Wisely: Follow pages like National Geographic India or Indian History Facts on X or Instagram. They share cool facts every day.

2. Master Multiplication Tables

• Practice 5 Minutes Daily: Say or write tables from 2 to 25. Start with easy ones (like 10×10=100) and move to harder ones (like 23×7=161).
• Use Tricks: For example, to find 15×6, think 15×5=75, then add 15 (75+15=90). This makes big tables easier.
• Play Math Games: Apps like Mathletics or Number Ninja make tables fun. Or, challenge a friend to a table race.
• Apply to Life: Use tables when shopping. For example, if 18 pens cost ₹5 each, calculate 18×5=90 in your head.
• Write Tables: Writing tables by hand (like 20×1 to 20×25) helps you remember them and improves handwriting too.

Here’s a quick table to practice:

• 18x: 18, 36, 54, 72, 90, 108, 126, 144, 162, 180, 198, 216, 234, 252, 270, 288, 306, 324, 342, 360, 378, 396, 414, 432, 450.

3. Fix Handwriting

• Practice Daily: Write one page every day. Copy a story, write a letter, or list general knowledge facts (like “Ganga is 2,525 km long”).
• Use Worksheets: Download free handwriting sheets from websites like HandwritingWorksheets.com. They help you practice neat letters.
• Learn Cursive or Devanagari: Watch YouTube videos on cursive writing or Indian scripts. Practice makes it beautiful.
• Write Slowly: Don’t rush. Take time to form each letter clearly. Over time, you’ll write neatly even when fast.
• Get Feedback: Show your writing to a friend or teacher. Ask, “Can you read this?” They’ll tell you what to improve.

4. Changes for Schools

• Teach Basics Longer: Schools should practice tables and handwriting up to Class 10, not just Class 5.
• Make It Fun: Use games, quizzes, or calligraphy clubs to teach these skills. For example, a “Table Champion” contest can excite kids.
• Reward Neatness: Give extra marks for clear handwriting in exams. It encourages students to care.
• Add General Knowledge: Include a subject on fun facts, like Indian culture or science, to keep kids curious.

5. Changes for Society

• Make Learning Cool: TV shows or YouTubers can make facts, math, or handwriting exciting. For example, a viral X challenge like “Write the 25x table neatly” could spread fast.
• Parents Lead: Moms and dads should learn with kids. For example, practice tables or write a story together.
• Community Events: Hold quiz nights or handwriting contests in schools or towns. It brings people together to learn.
• Use Social Media: Share posts about facts, like “Did you know a century is 100 years?” or “Try this table: 22×5=110.” It spreads knowledge.

Examples from Real Life

Let’s look at some stories to see how these problems affect people and how they can fix them:

Story 1: Priya, the Engineer

Priya is 30 and earns ₹2 lakh a month as a software engineer. She’s smart but forgot basic facts. One day, her son asked, “What’s the basic unit of our body?” She didn’t know it was the cell. She also struggled to help him with math because she forgot the 18x table. Her handwriting was so bad that her boss couldn’t read her notes. Priya decided to change. She read one science fact daily, practiced tables for 5 minutes, and wrote a page neatly. In six months, she could answer her son’s questions, calculate 18×7=126 in her head, and write clear notes.

Story 2: Raj, the Student

Raj is in Class 8. He loves YouTube but doesn’t know that the Solar System has one star. He can’t recall 20×6 (it’s 120), and his teachers complain about his messy writing. Raj’s mom made a plan. She played quiz games with him, like “Name India’s longest river” (Ganga). She gave him a math app to practice tables. Raj also practiced writing one page daily. Now, he knows more facts, can say 20×10=200, and his teachers praise his neat homework.

Story 3: Anil, the Businessman

Anil earns crores but didn’t know a century is 100 years. He used a calculator for everything, even 15×5 (it’s 75). His handwriting was so bad that his staff misread his instructions. Anil joined a quiz club and read history books. He practiced tables while driving by saying them aloud. He also took a calligraphy class. Now, he knows fun facts, calculates mentally, and writes clearly, making his work smoother.

These stories show that anyone can improve, no matter their age or job.

Tips for Everyone

Here are quick tips to start today:

• For General Knowledge:
  • Learn one fact daily. Example: “India’s capital is New Delhi.”
  • Watch news for 10 minutes instead of reels.
  • Ask friends, “What’s a cool fact you know?”
• For Multiplication Tables:
  • Say one table daily (like 19×1 to 19×25).
  • Use apps like Khan Academy.
  • Practice while waiting, like in a bus.
• For Handwriting:
  • Write a short note daily, like a thank-you letter.
  • Use a good pen to make writing fun.
  • Copy a poem or story to practice.

Why These Skills Are Part of India’s Future

India is growing fast. We have smart people building rockets and apps. But if we forget basic skills, we lose something special. General knowledge makes us proud of our country, like knowing the Ganga or our freedom story. Multiplication tables make us quick and independent. Handwriting shows we care about clarity and culture, like our beautiful scripts. These skills are not old-fashioned—they are the roots of a strong future.

If we bring them back, students will do better in school. Workers will be sharper in jobs. Parents will teach kids better. Everyone will feel confident, not just rich or educated. It starts with small steps, like learning one fact, one table, or one neat page a day.

Final Thoughts

The problems you pointed out—forgetting general knowledge, multiplication tables, and handwriting—are real. They come from too much social media, a focus on exams, and not practicing basics. But we can fix them. By reading, playing quizzes, practicing math, and writing neatly, every Indian can get better. Schools, parents, and society can help by making these skills fun and important again. Let’s not just chase money or trends. Let’s chase knowledge, sharpness, and pride in our work.

Start today. Learn that the cell is life’s building block. Say the 25x table (25, 50, 75…625). Write a clear sentence. These small steps will make you, and India, stronger. What will you learn first?