“Papa, how do you know this news is true?”
My friend looked at his twelve-year-old son, then at the WhatsApp message he had just forwarded to his family group, school group, building group, prayer group and one bewildered plumber.
“It was sent by a very reliable person,” he said.
“Who?”
“Your uncle.”
“But Uncle forwards everything.”
“Exactly. That is why he is so well informed!”
The boy persisted. “Where is the evidence?”
My friend lowered his voice. “Son, evidence is what we demand when the message attacks our leader. When it praises him, it is called patriotism!”
The boy had been reading about the Times Critical Thinking Championship, founded by the Times Foundation and supported by the Times of India. In 2025, more than two lakh students from Classes III to XII, representing five hundred schools across twenty five states, participated. Five thousand teachers were also trained to encourage inquiry, creativity and problem solving. Thirty five students reached the final stage.
The 2026 AM/NS India Times Critical Thinking Championship has now been launched nationally, encouraging children to examine evidence, challenge assumptions and think independently.
What a dangerous idea!
Imagine millions of Indian children returning home and questioning their parents.
“Papa, you said petrol goes well with ethanol? Why is our car not starting?”
“Go and study!”
“Mummy, this video is from another country.”
“Do not talk back!”
“Grandpa, the television anchor has been shouting for twenty minutes without producing evidence.”
“Lower your volume. I cannot hear him!”
Critical thinking is wonderful when applied to mathematics. It becomes anti national when applied to politics.
We want children to ask questions in classrooms, but remain silent outside them. They may challenge a scientific theory, but not a political speech. They may examine a frog, but never a minister. They may investigate why an apple falls from a tree, but not why bridges fall after inauguration.
A thoughtful citizen asks, “Where is the proof?”
An obedient citizen asks, “Where is the forward button?”
A thoughtful voter remembers promises. An obedient voter remembers slogans. A thoughtful television viewer changes the channel. An obedient one increases the volume and calls the noise national interest.
I strongly believe the championship should introduce an adult category.
Most would be disqualified in ten seconds.
Politicians could have a separate round. They would be asked one unscripted question and expected to answer it without blaming the previous government, the opposition, foreign conspirators or Nehru.
That round might never end.
Two lakh children have already been taught to question assumptions. Wonderful!
Now comes the difficult part. Can we teach adults to question propaganda, voters to question promises and citizens to question power?
Our children may win the Critical Thinking Championship, and maybe they’ll start teaching us.
Or are they already?