Rejecting the Rat Race in India
Here in India, most people accept the life of conformity.
Early on we are conditioned to give exams all our young life. They tell us what to think, what to memorize and to not ask questions.
We forget our significance as a human and try to feel safe by becoming a tiny part of a giant machine.
Some of us feel it is intolerable. We’ll create a new society. We will — if all of us say we will not tolerate this for a single day, this routine, this monstrous activity of 9 to 5.
But most do not have this rebellious nature. They memorize, get marks and go to McDonald’s for a “Maharaja Mac” on weekends. This is their lives.
I can’t wrap my head around how they completely accept this prison system.
We have been educated to such a fine — or dull — point that we are incapable of enjoying something new, something different, until we are first told what it’s all about. We don’t trust our five senses; we rely on our critics and educators, all of whom are failures in the realm of creation. In short, the blind lead the blind. It’s the democratic way.
— Henry Miller
Hundred Thousands of students in India go for IIT-JEE exams. The top students are, literally, worshipped. Some commit suicides off the pressure, hope and expectations from parents.
The meaning of success in our culture is exams.
Nobody talks about innovation and creativity. Everyone here is about rank and marks.
Currently, India ranks 66th on the Global Innovation Index (GII) list, which is 41 places behind China.
90% Of Indian Startups Will Fail Because of Lack Of Innovation, Study Says
We murder our children uniqueness. And if he/she can’t memorize, he’ll/she’ll be shamed in the school/college by everyone. And that leaves a mark, projections throughout life.
Rather, we should encourage them to try new things.
We need to tell our children that leading a good life and not a successful one. Doing what one loves and finding a way to make money from it.
