In this article I am going to tell about dark side of professions/occupations in India. This can be a case with other countries too. This article is also related to education system and mindset of people. So, if you like the article do share it to create awareness about it.
Let’s start with law. Article 19, one of the jewel of Indian constitution is about the freedom or fundamental rights given to citizens. Article 19 (1) (g) guarantees Freedom of Profession, Trade and Business. Elaboratively, any Indian citizen irrespective of caste, religion or background can practice any profession, carry on trade or a business under some reasonable restrictions. By the side of government there is complete support for the citizens to practice any occupation they enjoy.
But its about the mindset of society. I would say this, because people refer conventional jobs in India to be an engineer, a doctor, a lawyer, or a CA(Charter Accountant) for the most. Profession is an integral part of career, how can someone choose what they want to do in just four options? After a student passes grade 10th, he/she mostly tries to take science or commerce to be in one of the above professions. This makes me think, is this the reason why so many engineers in India are unemployed?
India has 10+2+3 educational structure and each academic year is commonly known as standard or grade. Because there are roots in the society that only people in conventional jobs (mentioned above) can earn money and respect, students get into pressure to choose one of the four options. From this being a doctor or an engineer is most common, so students choose science. According to a survey, ratio of Arts: Commerce: Science is 3:5:8. The field of science also has many options but the ultimate goal of students is to get into stream of engineering or doctrine. There are many government and private institutes of engineering field in India, one of the most famous being IIT(Indian Institute of Technology). The competition to get into this institute is at the next level.
Assume there are 100 seats for students in a very famous imaginary engineering institute. But there are over 200 passionate students, and 500 more students who just want to get into it because the profession has respect and good salary. So, 700 students are competing for 100 seats, is it a fair competition ? In reality these numbers are really large with the acceptance rate to be very low. In this case I am not complaining about the 200 students, but the 500 students who applied for it were not even interested in it. Many people blame government and education system for this, but as mentioned in the 2nd para that the government supports all the professions. So, why do students don’t follow their passion? Because of respect? Money? The real answer is Society. The beliefs of Society say ‘to survive in the inflation, you need to be an engineer.’
Electricians, cooks, plumber, cobbler, blacksmiths, fire brigade, potters are not even considered to be professions. Even though these people are integral part of society. They get negligible respect and money from their professions because they are not at all supported. This ideology should be changed by youths (anyone irrespective of age having mindset to accept new and proper reforms).
India is an agrarian country with 54-56% of population engaged in agriculture or agriculture related industries. But is the youth interested in farming ? Many people being born in an agrarian family, know all small- big techniques of farming and many times are interested in continuing it. But they do not. Farming is a risky business, which totally depends upon climate and weather. Putting lot of efforts in farming, farmers get less profit. Hence, many farmers are giving up their professions, youths are turning towards other professions without their interest only because their efforts are not well valued.
However, the sad reality of today’s media is less exposure is given to noble professions like farming, military, Writing etc. The challenges, problems, hardships in their path and their hard-work to overcome it are not appreciated. Some professions are so overrated, that even if we don’t talk about them for decades they won’t cease to exist. However there are some professions which are on the verge of extinction. We need to spread awareness about them.
How can we change this?
- Respect your passion. (You will face some difficulty initially but be the reformers).
- Instead of using plastic containers use Earthen pots to store or to cook. This will reduce pollution and provide employment to potters.
- Next time your relative, friend or anyone asks you “do you want to be an engineer or a doctor?” Explain them what you have understood from this article.
- If you are practicing any underrated professions then make a team. For e.g., If you are an electrician, meet other electricians, come together and form an start up at local level and then expand it. Similarly, if you are a potter, use attractive organic paints to paint Earthen pots, tell people advantages of using them.
What I request the Government ?
- To spread awareness and start certain associations on National Level.
- An effective educational syllabus for students, to master skills related to these professions can be included in school curriculums.
What I want the people saying “Either Engineer or Doctor” to think?
Engineering and doctrine are very important fields but do give respect to other professions too. If there are no potters, our tradition of Earthen pots would become extinct. If there are no electricians, shot-circuits can happen in any building at any time. If there are no cobblers, we would have to travel from one place to other barefoot.
Hence, every profession has its own importance in the world. We should support them.
My request is, if you want these professions to continue, respect them and spread awareness about their importance. My motive behind writing this article is not to say some fields are over-rated but I want to say that give respect to every field that exists and don’t fear to follow your passion.
