Crime and Punishment by R.K.Narayan

In this blog, I will reflect on the themes of Sitare Zameen Par, focusing particularly on how it portrays the education system, the expectations of parents, and the transformative role of a sensitive teacher. I will also compare the film with Narayan’s narrative style and thematic essence, and finally, discuss my personal takeaways from the viewing experience.

 The Education System: Not Just a Classroom

In Sitaare Zameen Par, formal education isn’t the center of the story in the conventional sense—it’s not about school exams or grades—but the film unmistakably critiques how society educates those who are different. When Gulshan Arora, a professional basketball coach, is suspended and assigned to train a team of intellectually challenged players as community service, he sees the task as a punishment rather than an opportunity.

Initially, Gulshan approaches his team like many educators in rigid systems do: with expectations, impatience, and a narrow idea of “performance.” The training ground becomes a metaphorical classroom, and Gulshan becomes a reluctant teacher whose methods fail to consider the diverse capabilities of his students. He tries to impose a uniform method of coaching, much like how traditional schooling often tries to impose uniform learning on a diverse student body.

This is strikingly similar to the world depicted in Crime and Punishment, where Narayan portrays a young teacher tutoring a boy, Leela, under the pressure of delivering quick results. The teacher is unable to control his frustration when Leela repeatedly fails to memorize words. He sees discipline and punishment as shortcuts to learning. Leela’s individual pace and learning needs are not recognized—she is merely a “task” to be completed, a box to tick.

Both Gulshan and Narayan’s teacher begin with an authoritarian model: they believe that pressure and correction will produce results. But while Narayan’s story ends with guilt and ambiguity, Sitaare Zameen Par shows what transformation looks like when understanding replaces punishment.

What message does the movie give about the role of teachers and parents?

Roe of Teacher :

In Crime and Punishment, the teacher's arc is one of failure. His inability to manage Leela’s learning difficulties leads him to use physical punishment. Narayan’s portrayal is subtle but damning: the teacher feels guilty, yet no reconciliation or deeper understanding occurs. The story ends on a note of unresolved moral tension.

Gulshan’s character arc in Sitaare Zameen Par is, by contrast, deeply redemptive. He begins as a proud, short-tempered coach—sharp with words and low on patience. His players confuse him, and he responds to their limitations with sarcasm, anger, and frustration. But as he spends more time with the team, particularly helping Guddu overcome his fear of bathing, something begins to change. He starts to learn from his players instead of merely trying to teach them.

The turning point for Gulshan is not a grand sporting victory, but the everyday moments of human connection. He realizes that coaching isn’t about correcting errors—it’s about creating a space where growth is possible, where each player can flourish on their own terms. This marks a significant shift in the power dynamic: Gulshan stops seeing himself as superior and begins to view his players as equals, even mentors in their own right.

This shift is what Narayan’s teacher never achieves. The story leaves us with the consequences of a system built on fear. The film shows us the hope in one built on trust.

Role of parents:

Here are the 20 ways of parenting. Click here for complete Article.

 1. Being a Role Model

Children learn more by observation than instruction. If parents show curiosity, discipline, and respect for learning, children naturally emulate them. A home where books are read, ideas are discussed, and mistakes are accepted becomes an extension of the school environment. Parents must lead by example, not merely by expectation.

2. Reading Together and Sharing Knowledge

Reading with children is more than just a literacy exercise; it fosters closeness, language development, and critical thinking. Parents who read aloud to their children or discuss stories create lasting educational bonds. Even simple habits like going to the library or sharing personal school experiences make learning meaningful and relatable.

3. Overseeing Activities without Controlling Them

Parental involvement should not be confused with interference. Monitoring a child’s habits, routine, and emotional health helps guide them gently. It’s about observing patterns—what excites them, what demotivates them—and helping them stay on a balanced path without being overly restrictive.

4. Avoiding Over-Scheduling

In today’s competitive world, many parents overfill their child’s day with classes and tuition. But over-scheduling kills curiosity. Children need time to reflect, play, and just be. The article wisely advises that children already spend significant hours in school, and their home should be a space to recharge—not a second school.

5. Creating a Pleasant Atmosphere at Home

A peaceful home is the emotional bedrock for academic growth. Frequent arguments, stress, or emotional neglect at home can distract and disturb a child’s focus. Parents must protect children from unnecessary negativity and offer a calm space where thoughts and questions can flow freely.

6. Giving Constructive Criticism

No child is perfect, and setbacks are part of learning. But how parents respond to failures is crucial. Criticism should be gentle, clear, and aimed at improvement—not shame. Children who fear being scolded become insecure and secretive. Constructive feedback, on the other hand, builds resilience and responsibility.

7. Helping with Assignments (Not Doing Them)

Support does not mean spoon-feeding. Helping with homework means guiding the child in thinking, encouraging independent effort, and reviewing the work without taking control. A parent’s role is to facilitate learning, not replace it.

8. Preparing for Tests Without Pressure

Exams can be stressful. A parent who prepares mock tests at home, teaches memory techniques, or simply revises with the child helps reduce that pressure. Calm and structured revision routines, when shared with a parent, can increase both knowledge and confidence.

9. Rewarding Effort and Progress

Children need motivation, and recognition is a powerful motivator. But the focus should be on effort, not just marks. Small rewards for hard work—like outings, appreciation, or even a handwritten note—can make children feel seen and supported.

10. Organizing Educational Trips

Not all learning happens in books. Visiting museums, botanical gardens, historical monuments, or science centers can bring classroom lessons to life. When parents turn holidays into discovery-filled journeys, children associate learning with excitement and adventure.

11. Maintaining Communication with Teachers

Teachers and parents are partners. Regular parent-teacher interactions help bridge the gap between school behavior and home behavior. If teachers share concerns, parents must not get defensive but work together on a plan to support the child.

12. Setting Aside Time for Children

No matter how busy a parent is, even 20 minutes of daily conversation can make a big difference. Children must feel that their parents are emotionally available. Eating together, playing games, or just talking about their day helps strengthen the parent-child bond.

13. Monitoring and Encouraging Learning Habits

Not all children are self-motivated. Some need structured guidance, reminders, or simple nudges. Rather than forcing a child to study, parents should create a routine that includes play, study, and rest—and monitor progress with encouragement, not pressure.

14. Prioritizing the Child’s Education

Sometimes family events, travel, or social obligations clash with a child’s study schedule. Wise parents make thoughtful choices—rescheduling plans or simplifying commitments to maintain consistency in the child’s learning journey. It sends the message: your education matters to us.

15. Sharing Personal Experiences

Children often believe their struggles are unique. When parents share their own school stories—both successes and failures—it humanizes the experience. It helps children understand that growth is a process and that everyone learns through trial and error.

16. Making Learning Fun

Home learning need not be dull. Flashcards, memory games, educational apps, and learning through storytelling make concepts more accessible. When fun is integrated into education, children associate learning with joy, not boredom.

17. Talking and Listening Daily

A ten-minute honest conversation about what happened at school, what they enjoyed or struggled with, opens the door for emotional safety. Parents who listen without interrupting or judging become their child’s safe space.

18. Encouraging Active Learning

Learning by doing—experiments, building things, group activities—is often more powerful than reading alone. Parents should encourage children to engage in hands-on experiences and even allow them to make mistakes, because real understanding often grows through doing.

19. Helping Them Relax

Rest, recreation, and hobbies are as important as studies. Children under constant pressure cannot flourish. Parents should ensure their kids eat well, sleep on time, and have time to laugh, play, and unwind.

20. Being a Good Friend

More than anything, children need to feel that their parents are on their side. A good parent is not just a guardian or rule-maker, but a friend who listens, understands, and stands by them through every challenge.

Final Thoughts:

Parenting in the context of education is not about academic pressure or discipline—it’s about creating an atmosphere of trust, motivation, and consistency. When parents actively participate in their child’s learning journey with empathy and encouragement, they raise not just educated children, but confident, balanced human beings.

The 20 roles discussed are not checkboxes, but a mindset—a way of seeing education as a shared adventure, not a solo race. In today’s rapidly changing world, the involvement of parents has never been more crucial.

Let us remember: schools may teach children what to think, but parents teach them how to think, feel, and grow.

How does it compare with the story?

Portrayal of the Education System

• Sitaare Zameen Par:
  The movie critiques an overly rigid and results-driven sports education system, where individuals with intellectual disabilities are initially treated as incapable. It highlights how the system often excludes those who don’t meet "normal" standards. However, it gradually shifts to a more inclusive vision—celebrating personal growth, effort, and empathy.

• Crime and Punishment:
  Narayan’s story also critiques an education system focused on rote learning and instant performance. The boy is punished for not being able to memorize spelling lessons, which reflects an outdated approach that values grades over understanding.

Similarity:

Both the film and the story expose how formal systems treat children as objects to be fixed, rather than individuals to be understood.

View of the Child

• Sitaare Zameen Par:
  The players are shown as unique, lovable individuals with specific challenges and strengths. The film respects their dignity and shows that with trust and encouragement, they can grow.

• Crime and Punishment:
  The child is treated like a defective product who must be corrected. His struggle is never seen from his own perspective. The story’s critique is sharp but does not explore the child's inner world as fully.

Contrast:

The film offers a more child-centered perspective, while the story critiques adult behavior without giving voice to the child’s inner experience.

The Role of Empathy and Human Connection

• Sitaare Zameen Par:
  The turning point is when Gulshan connects emotionally with his players. He helps Guddu overcome his phobia and later shares in the joys and struggles of each team member. This shows the transformative power of compassion.

• Crime and Punishment:
  The absence of empathy is the very heart of the problem. The teacher punishes the boy out of frustration, not care. Even the parent is a distant figure who never truly connects with the child’s emotional or academic needs.

 Similarity:

Both stories underline that empathy is essential in education—but the film celebrates it, while the story warns of its absence.

The Ending: Growth vs. Regret

• Sitaare Zameen Par:
  Even though the team loses the tournament, the emotional journey is victorious. Gulshan becomes a better human being and future father. The players gain confidence, friendships, and self-worth.

• Crime and Punishment:
  The teacher ends with a sense of guilt and fear after physically punishing the boy. There's no clear resolution, only a feeling of unease. The cycle of punishment may continue.

 Contrast:

The film ends with hope and transformation; the story ends with regret and ambiguity.

Personal Reflections: What I Felt and Learned

Watching Sitaare Zameen Par in the theater was amazing. Guddu’s triumph over a simple fear, Golu’s radiant smile, the team’s acceptance of failure without losing hope—all reminded me that true education is emotional, not just intellectual.

After reading Crime and Punishment, I felt disturbed by the consequences of neglect, pressure, and punishment. The story made me think of how many students fall through the cracks because someone failed to understand them. It made me question the times when discipline overshadowed dialogue, when teachers measured memory instead of meaning.

But Sitaare Zameen Par gave me hope. It reaffirmed that change is possible, that every learner deserves a guide who believes in their potential, and that every teacher must also remain a student of life.

References :

“20 Ways Parents Play a Role in the Education of Their Children.” Edsys, www.edsys.in/parents-play-role-education-children/. Accessed 12 July 2025. 

Narayan, R. K. “The Malgudi Days : R.K. Narayan : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming.” Internet Archive, 7 Jan. 1943, archive.org/details/the-malgudi-days/mode/2up. 

Prasanna, R. S., director. Sitaare Zameen Par. 2025. Aamir Khan Productions.