Grinding the soul into dust: Extracurricular activities in Indian schools
It is often said that engineering colleges in India are often depressing places as they are the graveyard of dreams. This I suppose is a cruel price to pay for a country that does not the proper job placement for creative and intuitive people. However I would say whatever dreams that many have are likely flawed to begin with. Let us say a young fellow fancies himself a musician in high school or a young girl chooses to be a dancer. It never appeared to me that Indian youngsters in general ENJOYED these hobbies . But it was because their parents placed in these various programs as it would look good on their applications for colleges as well as bragging rights with the neighborhood uncles and aunties. And now with social media , an even wider net of nosy busybodies. Like any boy in any Indian school system, I remember being urged to take part in activities such as public speaking , dancing at some independence day function, singing or reciting poetry . Or even some karate an...