Indian Aspirations

India aspires to become the world’s third-largest economy in the next five years. With its substantial young population and wealth of professional skills, the country has positioned itself for significant economic growth. In the fiscal year 2021-22, India achieved a historic milestone by attracting the highest-ever foreign inward remittances, totalling US$ 89,127 million. These remittances represent a portion of the earnings of the large Indian workforce employed abroad. This is evidence of the economic value of human resources working abroad.

India is making strides in the global start-up landscape, ranking as the fourth-largest start-up hub. The desire to be self-employed and experience the freedom to pursue individual dreams resonates strongly in the hearts and minds of the youth in India. To fulfil this vision, there is a growing emphasis on becoming a technopreneur, necessitating a solid foundation in technological knowledge as a primary requirement. The shift in mindset and career goals challenges the existing higher education system and learning institutions to adapt and meet the demand for education that imparts the highest level of skills necessary to independently thrive in the evolving knowledge economy.

Gateway for Engineering Excellence

The prestigious Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) network has recently concluded its latest round of admissions for undergraduate engineering courses. Achieving an impressive attendance of nearly ninety-six per cent, the second round of the IIT entrance test saw participation from over eleven lakhs (1.1 million) of engineering aspirants. Most of these aspirants come from the unorganised coaching industry, which prepares students to excel in the entrance tests and secure the highest possible rank.

Over the past few decades, coaching classes have burgeoned into a formidable industry, now exceeding ten thousand crores (USD 1.25 billion) in revenue. This substantial revenue figure represents the tangible cost of harbouring the dream of becoming an engineer from the prestigious IITs.

The enduring legacy of the British-imposed education system in India persists till today. The lack of substantial reforms in the education system underscores the influence of historical paradigms on Indian decision-makers, who, perhaps, have been unable to break free from conventional thinking. Each year, over ten million students successfully pass the ten-plus-two exams administered by various boards across India. However, the subsequent challenge lies in securing admission to undergraduate courses of their preference.

This bottleneck highlights a significant disparity between the demand for quality education and the limited availability of institutions that meet this demand. Consequently, countless promising young individuals, constituting invaluable human resources for the nation, grapple with the daunting task of realising their aspirations to become engineers or doctors. The mismatch between educational demand and institutional capacity has, regrettably, become a formidable impediment, thwarting the dreams of millions.

The Sacrificed Childhood

As early as after completing standard eight, children start preparing for admission to premier institutions, for which they intend to appear for admission four years later. The crucial decision to pursue a career in engineering or medicine is often influenced significantly by parental aspirations. Unfortunately, this journey is marked by a burdensome load of studies coupled with rigorous preparation for entrance examinations, leaving students with little room for sports and other recreational activities. It is affecting the overall development of the children and, in particular, mental health, which is no one’s concern. Strangely, scores and success in the entrance tests are more important than the mental condition of the candidates for the premier institutions. The intake of the candidates is susceptible to mental pressure in a competitive environment where the pressure to perform or perish only leads to lifelong agony.

The education system’s emphasis on rote learning exacerbates the strain on students, hindering genuine comprehension and inhibiting a true love for learning. The ultimate goal becomes clearing the 10+2 exams, a pivotal eligibility criterion for admission to coveted undergraduate institutions. The relentless toil of young aspirants over these formative years translates into a national loss in potential and human capital. The coaching industry thrives with over a billion US dollars in annual revenue, almost no regulation, and zero recession. The broader societal cost is immeasurable that virtually hand over their wards to the Coaching Institutions to be successful in the entrance exams.

Relentless Sufferings

Beyond the economic aspect, the issue at hand extends beyond quantifiable losses. The intense academic pressure imposed on young minds has profound implications for mental health. In a country where mental health remains a social taboo and is often underreported, the alarming rise in suicides among students in premier institutions serves as a grim indicator. According to a July 2023 media report, 98 students took their own lives in these esteemed institutions. These tragic incidents only scratch the surface of a broader mental health crisis affecting countless others, as many silently endure the burdens without seeking help.

A family is the basic unit of a country’s aspiration. Aspiring to become an engineer and committing suicide in the process are contrasting. The death of a young ward brings immense pain for the family and friends and immeasurable loss for the country. In the world’s largest population, the tragic incidence of suicide seldom triggers corrective measures.

The toll on mental well-being is often overlooked in the relentless pursuit of academic excellence, where the mantra ‘perform or perish’ prevails. As India aspires to become the world’s third-largest economy, it is crucial to recognise that nurturing the aspirations of its youth constitutes a significant portion of the battle. The focus should be on academic achievements and fostering an environment that prioritises the holistic well-being of the nation’s future leaders.

The Challenge

The present entrance tests for IITs or other professional courses are more rejection tests rather than selection tests.

Imagine a scenario where over twelve lakh aspiring students aiming for admission to the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) secure admissions in their chosen engineering branches at IITs. In this optimistic vision, these aspirants would go on to shape their lives, whether or not they ultimately attain an engineering degree. The impact of such a collective achievement would not only be transformative on an individual level but would also have profound implications for the nation without compromising childhood.

In this hypothetical situation, the IITs would emerge as crucibles for developing highly refined professional skills, contributing significantly to India’s reservoir of technical knowledge. This infusion of expertise would, in turn, propel the nation forward, equipping it to confidently navigate and harness the potential of emerging technologies, particularly the wave of Artificial Intelligence (AI). The resulting vibrancy in technical proficiency could position India as a global leader in the AI landscape.

This scenario underscores the notion that knowledge is not just a commodity but a powerful empowerment tool. The envisioned success of these IIT aspirants would elevate their prospects and collectively strengthen the nation’s fabric, creating a dynamic and skilled workforce ready to embrace the challenges and opportunities presented by the evolving landscape of technology.

The prospect of addressing the surging demand for higher education is not only viable but also presents a transformative opportunity. The landscape of the knowledge economy has evolved beyond conventional affiliations to specific institutions, liberating itself from tangible constraints. Notably, Ivy League universities now extend their academic prowess through readily accessible online programs, reflecting a shift towards more inclusive educational avenues.

Highlighting this global perspective, in 2023 alone, a staggering 850,000 Indian students secured admissions to esteemed institutions in Australia, Canada, the UK, and the USA. This trend is poised to continue, with projections indicating that Indian parents are anticipated to allocate an impressive US$ 34 billion towards foreign education for their children in the current year. However, this substantial outflow of foreign exchange presents an annual loss for India, funds that could be strategically reinvested to enhance and expand domestic education infrastructure. It is time to rebuild our institutions of learning to make India a superpower.

Conclusion

By redirecting a portion of these considerable financial resources back into the country, India could fortify its educational ecosystem to better cater to the escalating demands of aspiring students. This strategic approach addresses the current educational deficit and lays the foundation for a robust, self-sufficient educational framework that can seamlessly meet the aspirations of its citizens. Ultimately, this shift has the potential to redefine the educational landscape and contribute significantly to the nation’s socio-economic development.

As a democracy, we, the people of India, collectively shape the destiny of our nation. At the core of this grand tapestry lies the family, the fundamental unit of our society. The late Sri JRD Tata envisioned a joyful India where the essence of happiness transcends economic considerations and resides within the intangible fabric of family life. The spectre of suicide due to the fear of underperformance or the stress of securing admission is a profound tragedy that no family should endure. Families must be relieved of the undue pressure imposed on their wards to excel.

We pave the way for genuine happiness by fostering a society that values mental and physical well-being as a prerequisite for a contented life. As we collectively strive to attain the world’s third-largest economy status, let this pursuit be harmonised with celebrating the joy inherent in achieving this milestone. The true strength of India lies in its people; it is time to empower them to shine in their unique elements, contributing not only to economic prosperity but also to the collective happiness that defines the essence of our great nation.