The Hindu Business Line : `Schooling' development

Sustainable economic development of a nation depends largely on the physical and mental growth and attitude of its youth. In this context, it is desirable that even at the school level students are made aware of the Indian way of life, which unconsciously influences a gamut of economic activities. For instance, the custom of marriage has nurtured the institution of goldsmiths. With skills honed over generations, the goldsmiths make exotic ornaments, which have a ready market world over. India exported gems and jewellery worth $17.1 billion in 2006-07.

India is a land of Gods and on key occasions it is customary to make idols of deities, such as Ganesha or Durga, for puja and procession. Idol-making provides livelihood to thousands of families across the country. Many idol-makers have won international acclaim and done assignments on foreign shores. Surely India is an enigma where art and culture transform into economic activity and sustain millions of people. To make the present generation appreciate this aspect of the economy, the effort must start at the school level.

Today, global organisations even try to mould education, social and cultural life so that people lead a life that would shore up their profits. This dangerous pursuit of wealth erodes the power of conviction of a nation.

If India's Human Development Index is low, in spite of a trillion-dollar economy, it is due to its lack of conviction about the development concept. Along with information technology, industry and services sectors, India thus needs to revitalise its traditional sectors to find a livelihood for its vast population.

But there is now tendency to thrust an education on children that would make them globizens. Indian schools should not generate globizens and `Indizens', that is, those who become the fodder for multinational corporations. They must breed honest, compassionate and hard working karma yogis for which Bharat was best known.

Merit is a precious asset on which nations rely. Educational institutions should nurture merit. Else, merit will move to where it is recognised, that is, mass migration to other nations. This happened in the 1970s and the 1980s but in recent years there has been a reverse brain drain. Thanks to a roaring economy, it is destination India for Indians and foreigners alike. But India's educational institutions must ensure that there is no brain drain in the first place.

(The author is a Pune-based freelance writer.)

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