Subhan Showqeen's blockbuster song " Chhus Bae Matric Pass Hassa" was one of fascinations for common Kashmiris during the 80s and 90s decades. Despite modern  modes of mass media and communication, the song engraved its permanence on the canvas of our collective memory. The song had created a commotion in the social circles of the valley when radio was the sole source of information, entertainment and reformation against social evils for most of the Kashmiris. The chartbuster song would resonate almost from every household of the valley. It demolished the castles of self-conceit, pride and false awe of supercilious matriculates and their haughty relatives. Thus, it became a classical and timeless allure. It became the buzz of every street in Kashmir valley. The song began to run parallel to our blood, and its appeal and absolute relevance to our social setup, didn't let it go into oblivion. Though the digital deluge has vanished the radio into the thin air, but, the satirical song has survived the cruel termite of time, and has become a golden oldie for common Kashmiris. Now, the song reverberates on the popular social media sites like YouTube, Facebook and Instagram, and even Gen Z is infatuated with it. The epic megahit is more than a song and a blend of musical notes. The eternal satire narrates taboos, stigmas, complexes, fears, apprehensions, stereotypes and unnecessary hype etched to our board examinations and their results. The song takes a jibe at the people who brag and boast about their board examination accomplishments. The dig taken at the matriculates goes back to 80s when the examination was really an achievement. But, the recent puffery on Facebook made the 80s superhit song more relevant to our times. During 70s and 80s decades, matric pass outs were rarely found, because the opportunities to study were meagre, particularly in rural areas where farming, carpet weaving and other household works would suffice parents to engage their children in different works. Only a few would tread the path of academics. And matric examination was a milestone then. The matric pass outs of that era were capable of doing any task. I mean, they possessed competencies, proficiencies and skills that were required to run any government office. Even most of our teachers were pure matric pass outs, but, they were extremely efficient and effective to teach any subject. It was the time when the matriculation examination was a hard nut to crack, and it was not thought to be everyone's cup of tea. Matric pass outs would assume big positions and chairs. Unlike today, passing the examination would ensure you a handsome government job. But, now, the examination neither carries that degree of toughness nor the value it possessed in the job market. Now, it is a cake walk for most of the students, and it does not either carry that charisma of olden times. Marks were never counted or given any hype in the examination way back in 70s and 80s. Pass or fail were the only two possible outcomes. And failures were not teased or humiliated, but were boosted and encouraged to come good next time. In contrast to contemporary times, unhealthy comparisons were not drawn among children. Students with better grades were not glorified the way they are being done today. Celebrating success is never an offence. But, it should not be done to belittle  and to do down others. We have begun to weigh and gauge our children through the yardstick of numbers only. Going by stats and experiences, the children with ninety percent or more have not proven remarkable achievers albeit a few. And interestingly, students with average marks have created niche for themselves in different fields of life. Very recently, Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary's ( IAS ) marks percentage of class 10th went viral on social media sites. He tried to solace the low performers and their parents who are succumbing to marks mania. The bizarre bragging of percentages on social media networks is tormenting the children with comparatively lower grades. Pseudo journalists, vloggers and influencers went berserk on social media platforms to demoralise and dishearten the moderate performers. We must end this trend. Unhealthy, unjustified and inappropriate comparisons will subject our youth to pessimism, depression and suicidal tendencies. Numbers are never a true measure of our knack. History bears witness to the fact that many great scientists and inventors like Thomas Alva Edison, Micheal Faraday, James Prescott Joule, Benjamin Franklin and many others had scanty or no formal schooling. Many greats including Edison were denied opportunities to continue their schooling in the pretext of slow learning. Many billionaires and sports icons of the world are college or school dropouts. Thus, the fact is clear that the figures inscribed on our marks-sheets are not the mettle and worth of are our lives. Matric and other board examinations are not the litmus test of our ability to excel in life. Let us all join hands to end the sick mindset of our parents and elders.   (The Author is a Teacher and a Regular Columnist from Bandipora, writing regularly on culture, climate, history, education, folklore and social issues. He can be reached at: mushtaqhurra143@gmail.com)