Thursday 20 May 2010

think..think...think...

To start with, let me introduce myself academically, I am an Engineer specializing in EEE (Electrical & Electronics). For an engineer like me, job options are abundant. I could either opt for the so very lucrative IT career or the longer route to fame, the Core engineering field. Now why I call core engineering to be the longer route is because, our country has not promoted or opened itself much to the manufacturing sector as it has to IT. For a country like ours which produces hundreds and thousands of Engineers year over year, I seriously feel its high time our government does something to save all the specialized Engineers from running behind the IT arena. Further it is not just about justifying the application of learnt skills by these engineers to their subject of study but it is also about the overall growth of the country. We today might have a globally recognized organization, but it’s very saddening to see that we still are terribly dependent on the US for our sustenance.

For instance let us just look at the current scenario, which possibly is one of the greatest economic depressions. We invariably like any other country, which is at US’s disposal as far IT is concerned is taking a real beating. We might not be the greatest of economies but what we surely are is that, we are a country full of talent. But there are lots of governing policies or lots of other issues that are hindering the growth of this country. For example corruption is so much in our roots that, we feel there is nothing that can be done about this country. Let me not get diverted, but what certainly has to be done is that even if our government is not able to do much constructively, what it should definitely take care of is that it does not hinder positive or ambitious ideas by individuals or organizations. Our government needs to revise the old policies to suit the new scenarios. Policies that were framed during the formation of the constitution are definitely not suitable for current day situation.

If somehow our government could wake up from the long sleep that it has been enjoying, it will realize that countries which are much smaller and less gifted than us are really trying to break all the barriers and doing their best to make it big. Information Technology in INDIA has shown special potential to be one of the best globally. What our government needs to do is to introduce computers from the very basic schooling level, besides offering special computer programs that will improve basic computer literacy. Programs of such effect have been introduced for the manufacturing sector. For example we have an ITI program or various diploma programs which makes an individual skillful enough to get himself a decent start. It should put in place certain norms which facilitates or enables or allows a candidate to continue pursuing what he or she is confident about. Government has to make scholarships more easily available and also on a large number. We today have much more deserving candidates than what the government has ever thought off. Coming back to governing policies, the amount of tax levied on organizations have to be justified. It should take care proper facilities are provided to encourage entrepreneurship and also support of innovative ideas.

The manufacturing sector in INDIA has great ability to show the world that its ideas and thoughts are novel and path breaking. As done for IT, the governing body should enable exclusive SEZ’s for the engineering sector. Just thoughts of doing it is not enough, the government should ensure that a special body is set up just to ensure speedy actions, and that it is not just name sake “Special Body”. The biggest problem in INDIA is that great ideas and innovative thoughts are killed right in the bud and never allowed to develop. For example 60-70% of the students chase US and other countries for post graduation and PHD because of the scholarships and funding available. Here in INDIA even if a person has a great idea, it is so difficult to get a research fund or scholarship that he drops the whole idea of pursuing it which is why I earlier mentioned that government should put in place certain norms which facilitates or enables or allows a candidate to continue pursuing what he or she is confident about. We desperately need more IIT’s and definitely more institutions of the likes of IISC. So, developing such organizations is also one thing that the government should start working on immediately. Just developing an IIT or IISC is not enough, it also has to make sure that they are regularly funded and latest equipments or research facilities are updated on par with world standards.

Having said all this, we the educated of youth of INDIA should also learn to make wise decisions. We today very regularly come across highly capable youth wasting their time at a BPO. It is very irritating to see that call centres are today insisting that they need “GRADUATES” to do the monotonous calling work. Why can’t our government come out with something that safeguards the future of the nation??? Is it so complicated to sit and visualize how this Nation should be 15 yrs down the line? Chinese government although weird is way smarter than us in this aspect, they work with a vision.

2 comments:

Unknown said...

:) gr8 article. This article would have created a great impact had it appeared on a newspaper.
good work.

maverick said...

quite a thought..vinod..