The role of education in one’s life has reduced from
gaining knowledge for the betterment of society
and environment, to acquiring pieces of paper in
the name of “degrees” to be flouted for securing
employment. While the undertakings related to
the generation and dissemination of knowledge
was deemed as a service to society, education has
now been reduced to a mere business with focus on
quantitative measures rather than the qualitative
aspects. Institutions tend to clone industries, where
a student equals raw material that needs to be
processed into a fine, ‘market-friendly product’ at
the end of their educational rat race, expected to
conform to the prescribed standards. The products
(read graduates) are subsequently immersed in
fulfilling their duties and repetitive actions for years
to come, accruing reserves in anticipation of a
peaceful retirement. This system leaves little or no
room for retrospection and introspection towards
personal growth and societal reform.