Oral History
The following is an interview with
an Archaeologist.
Abdul Badi, 1954: Assumed Name
Interview
Q1: Tell us how did
you get interest in Archaeology?
In my childhood days, on holidays, my father used to tell us stories
about the ancient times. I had my younger sister, and both of us were very keen
to know about the past stories. Even though they were not real stories, but we
used to listen them with a great interest. This was the time when I got
interested in the field.
Q2: From those
stories to real interest, how did you develop that?
Inspired by the interesting myths our parents used to tell us about the
past, whenever I used to go play with my friends, I used to discuss what my
father used to tell. This was very interesting. Then when I grew up more, I
started collecting the books about the history. My favorite subject in school
was history only, and I used to top it. Then furthermore I did graduation about
the same.
Q3: What challenges
did you face in your life?
Since my family support was always there, particularly I did not feel any
challenging stuff in my life. It had been smooth all the way. The only problem
was the war of 1973, that time of 1965-75, was a tough time. I wanted to go to
UK for high school studies, but had to wait for 1 year or so and I could not
move on.
Q4: How was the
experience of your alma mater in UK, tell us about it?
It was speechless experience. I studied form the UCL institute of
Archaeology, one of the prominent institutes. I learnt about the world, as well
as about UAE on my own.
Q5: what you did
after your study got over?
I started a part time job there, in
one of the museums when I was studying. I did it with very interest, and after
study got over I did the job on full time basis. Soon, I started as a lecturer
there in UK.
Q6: When was the
time you came back to UAE?
I was offered to assist the 6 member
panel, as one of the member with a responsibility of initiating Al Ain National
Museum. This was the time I realized to get myself back here.
Q7: How was your
experience here?
It was very difficult first to gather
about the information we needed. It was perhaps most challenging situation in
my professional career. But, when we completed, and the Museum inaugurated in
1971, it was the perfect win like situation.
Q8: In today’s
date, children have little interests about the one you had. Can you explain?
Today, it is the modern age having
technology as interest. The interest in stories is long gone. Children are
interested more in computers, phones, play stations, etc. These fast evolutions
had attracted children more.
Q9: What is your
opinion about it?
This definitely is very wrong. It is like living in a virtual world with
only one positive aspect of connectivity. Children spend time on internet
always and miss their golden time of childhood. Instead, they should get
interested into the real things.
Q10: What remedies do
you suggest?
Childhood is the age when individual is introduced to the society. The
parents should look upon the lifestyle of their children and should give them
time. Involve them much more in the other activities like sports, arts, history
as well can be the topic of interest. The society and the government shall also
take care upon the fact, children can be made to have interests which older
generation had, but the way should be the use of technology.
Analysis
Earlier
generation, had the leisure of doing everything they want. Arts and history
were the topics, in which children had interests. That time was not narrowed
with only the technology, the way it is today. The interest which we acquire in
our childhood can lead us a good and satisfied life. As of today’s date,
children need to be guided by the society to have their approach in the right
direction. The technology is a good invention but it should only be used as the
tool to access the information and have the connectivity, which the earlier generation
did not have. The parents, society, and the government should bring new ideas
to develop the young generation’s talent, by guiding them and have let their
lives as real as the earlier generation had. Because, according to the experience,
the present generation has been living in the virtual world, which is a matter
of concern as it has cons against the development of the personality, until and
unless it is not utilized in fruitful manner.
