Met a friend after 3 years

Hi,

Took some time to come out of the last week's experience. Hence the delay (Friends know that this a typical lame-excuse that bears "my stamp(?!)")!!!

Met a young friend over the last weekend. The guy had gone out of scene for almost 3 years - with none knowing his whereabouts. Out of the blue, he landed at my home to tell me that he had just acquired an MBA from an European University. Being a guy from very humble roots, he had managed to fetch himself an MBA by sheer hardwork and focus. He listed the kind of jobs he did during the last 3 years in Europe. I have listed them below.

1. Welder
2. Gardener
3. Plucker of Olives
4. Dish washer
5. Assistant to a Chef
6. Chef
7. Office boy in an office
8. Painter of an office of a start-up
9. Trainer of sales reps in a small co.
10. Sack-bag unloader in a market

I was awe-struck by the hardwork of this young man. And was equally surprised when heard about the chances young minds have to earn a decent living on their own. I could not help but gape when he narrated the freedom students enjoy while handling the semesters; unlike our straight-jacketed education system.

I was pained to know that the young friend's attempt to fetch an education loan pledging his agri-land to a local bank in India had turned futile. This is because agri-lands in villages do not have a market value to offer the required security to the lenders.

I could not crib about the way banks are run. Instead, I could sense the need to have a less-pressure-some system of education in India. By this I mean a system that does not penalize students when they have to take a break for a semester or two. Also, the approach towards education should take education outside the classroom. A combination of classroom-driven + worldly-expereince driven education can bring about sustained learning experiences within a young mind. It would also indirectly alleviate the pressures on young minds and help them focus on other skills as well.

Our president Kalam's "Wings of Fire" also underlines the importance of such education (The fieldtrip to the seashore with his fellow-students, organized by his tutor, to have the kids watch the birds fly).

Such a system is a dire need of the hour, as India is stepping into a different league of nations. This would help our less-fortunate brothers and sisters in rural India to earn a living for themselves and help them manage their higher education on their own.

Thanks

Vijay