Brain Drain

The brain drain is the problem of almost all the developing nations. As far as India is concerned, there is no dearth of brains in the country. India has a very large and sound infrastructure of science, technology and industry. However, the uninterrupted brain-drain from India of experts, technocrats, scientists, engineers and doctors to the advanced nations of Europe and America has become a cause of concern. It seems that our IITs and IIMs have just become nurseries for the Silicon valleys in the USA, Canada and Europe. This has neutralized the great advancement which India deserves. India has made significant progress in the field of science and technology to a large extent. It is really a very apologetic state of affairs that India and its people cannot harvest the fruit of their understanding and skills. Many of them desert their mother country for green meadows outside. It is not in the favor of our country.

There are many causes of the brain drain. Similarly, there are many side effects of this problem. This dilemma is an outcome of development in both population increase and the technology especially information technology. The biggest cause of brain-drain is the monetary consideration. Scientists, engineers and doctors are tempted by the hefty salaries and perks in America and Europe. The increasing population has been facing the problems of unemployment, poverty, deficiency of opportunities and lack of basic things. All these form a bitter experience. One who manages to such situations improves oneself and tends to fulfill what one dreams of. It is natural. We all are made of emotions and dreams or desires. It is not a kind of philosophy but a true and natural nature of all human beings. In addition to the said reason, many other reasons also increase the process of brain drain. Lack of facilities, especially, of good laboratories, equipments, training and competitive atmosphere also compel one to go overseas. It is not true that India is devoid of such facilities. Actually, those facilities do not cover entire population. That is why the brain drain seems a safe and advantageous way. Lack of promotion, stagnation, corruption, nepotism and red-tapism are some other irritants. Perhaps all brains have felt them at the core of the heart. It is important to pay attention here on the role of our politics in this direction. No one deny this fact that Indian political environment has also contributed in the brain drain. The administrators, the rich and the political leaders exploit the resources of our country and what they do in return. Simply, they are eager to send their off springs to the abroad for studies and jobs. It seems that they do not care its results. They should be careful about the brain drain as they are the keys to success in India.

Who does not know the potential of Indian education? It is India where there were many prominent universities like Nalanda, Takshashila and Vikramsila. All these universities were great center for knowledge. These universities taught every subject including the study of art, literature, philosophy, religion and science. A number of students from the several parts of the world were come there to learn. Those universities were the symbol of the most glorious period of our history. It was not only due to the thirst for knowledge blossom here into the finest shape but was also due to the fact that it bound together the various parts of the Asia with links of knowledge, at that time. The history of Nalanda, for example, dates back to the age of Lord Buddha and Lord Mahavira. Scholars from such distant countries as China, Korea, Tibet, Turkistan and Magnolia came to Nalanda to study and collect Buddhism literatures. The academic attitude was freely kept exposed itself to the religion and philosophy of all mankind without any whatsoever. However, the entrance examination for those universities was too difficult for ordinary students. These things from our history signify the importance of Indian knowledge and her cultures. Now, the whole scenario is changed. The Indian students and the Indian brains are migrating to the foreign countries. The Indian students acquire education in higher and reputed institutions in India, and go to the other countries for earning wealth. It is depressing; our students cannot serve our country doing so.

The problems of the brain drain are perilous and infectious. The developed nations are utilizing our talents for their own benefits. Indian brains are utilized by the foreign countries at any cost. The countries that are benefited from those talented brains know their values. It is, therefore, the migration laws are made in such a way which promotes migration and brain drain. The motiffis behind it is clear. They want to be winners in the race of development, progress and making wealth. Their dreams will complete when they will use the best brains of the world.

According to a survey, about 10,000 talented students migrate to serve other countries from India. It is a large number and an alarming symbol for India. About 25% of all the students of the reputed institutions like IITs and IIMs go abroad. The students from medicine, engineering and computer sectors tend to migrate in a large number.

It is the age of globalization. The migration is not damaging. Indian students should go to acquire knowledge to the foreign countries, but they must serve their own country first. They should not stay there. They should not influenced by wealth and comforts of other countries. It is their prime duty to serve their own country first.

Everyone has freedom to make its future bright and full of achievements. But one cannot forget and ignore one’s own country. The pomp and show catches the attention of us. It is not a good sign after all. If we do not feel proud of our country, our culture, our languages, and our customs and traditions how will then we pay our dues to the country where we have grown up? This attitude of love and duty must be rooted to the heart and mind of Indian students by the members of their family and educational institutions.

The major changes are required in the present education system. It should be our aim to revitalize the educational system of the past age. Cultural revival can come about in the life of the nation only when a large number of determined scholars of every field devote a life time to search after truth.

One more Indian name has been added to the pantheon of noble prize winners this year when the name of fifty seven year old Venkatraman Ram Krishnan was announced for the Noble prize in Chemistry. He himself graduated in India. His message for Indian students is very motivating. He told the Indian students that they should avoid their feelings of backwardness because they have the strong and wider platform for development and progress in India.

We can also gain several benefits from our brains, but we have to do several things for achieving them. First of all, the brilliant students should be provided required financial support and other basic amenities. Besides this, the development of human resources is preferred to other things. The feeling of patriotism should be stimulated through educational medium. The opportunity for employments should be increased and given priorities. The Indian students should be familiar with Indian culture so that they feel proud of their glorious culture.

Only some effective and positive steps taken by the government in this direction can retain best of our brains for the development, growth and glory of our own country. If Indians want to make India a developed nation, they need those talented candidates who are migrating on an alarming rate.

Our Dr. Rajendra Prasad

Dr. Rajendra Prasad (December 3, 1884 – February 28, 1963) was the first President of the Republic of India . He played a prominent role in the Indian Independence Movement and in the formation of the Indian constitution. He was born in Jiradei village of Siwan, Bihar. His father was Mahadev Sahai and his mother was Kamleshwari Devi. He learned Persian and studied at Chhapra Zilla School. He was married at the age of 12 to Srimati Rajvanshi Devi. He then pursued his degree in Law at the Presidency College in 1902. After the completion of the doctorate degree in Law, he started to practice as the Lawyers in Bhagalpur. He met Bihar Kesari, Dr. Sri Krishna Sinha as well as Bihar Bibhuti, Dr. Anugrah Narayan Sinha. Both influenced him and he participated actively in the Indian freedom struggle.

When Mahatma Gandhi launched Champaran movement in Bihar, Rajendra Prasad worked as a dedicated volunteer and succeeded the movement. He resigned from the post of a Senator of the University in 1921 for the freedom movement during Civil Disobedience movement. Besides it, he presented a great example before the Indians by dropping his brilliant son, Mrityunjaya Prasad from the University during Mahatma Gandhi’s boycott of Western Education. He was in favor of renouncing everything for the welfare of the people and the country. He never hesitated to do so.

He wrote articles for the Searchlight and the Desh to arise the feeling of nationalism among the people. Those articles were very inspirational and convinced all people. They made people aware about the need of the hours. He directed the young to be the part of Indian freedom struggle. He used all his knowledge and experiences to the welfare of the poor and the ignorant. He took an active role in helping the affected people during the 1914 floods that struck Bihar and Bengal. Not only floods but earthquakes also damaged almost completely the people of Bihar. He had its bitter experience. However, he was in jail during the earthquake of Bihar taken placed on January 15, 1934; he led the masses and controlled the miserable situation at his best. After his release, he collected money over 38 Lakhs (Rs. 3,800,000) and the necessary goods for the victim. He proved himself as the true son of the Bharat Mata again and again. During the 1935 Quetta earthquake he helped his countrymen by raising the funds for the sufferer.

He was appointed as the President of Indian National Congress during the Bombay session in October 1934 and 1939. It was his great contribution and potential that made him competent and to be worthy of the first President of Indian Republic in 1950. Once Gandhi ji announced that the president of India would be a farmer not a farmer’s son. Dr Prasad proved it. He was such a great personalities of India that is beyond the comparison. He glorified his work which should be followed. He served India for 12 years as President. In 1962, he expressed his will to retire. He was awarded the Bharat Ratna, the nation's highest civilian award. He shared Gandhiji’s great vision – the making of a new man in society. He was a living embodiment of ‘simple living and high thinking’. He was a statesman, scholar, historian, educationist, exceptional idealist, social reformer and above all great constructive thinker. As president he had moderating impact on the political thinking of the period.

Our Munshi Premchand

Munshi Premchand was an unparalleled novelist in Urdu and Hindi language. He was born on 31st July 1880 in a penniless Kayasth family of Lamahee Village. His mother was Anandi. His father, Munshi Ajayab Lal was a post office staff. At the age of 7, Premchand lost his mother. His father wedded for a second time. Premchand was not happy with his step mother. His stepmother proved a nuisance for him. He did not receive love and motherly affection. The child needs the tender touch from his or her parents without which he or she cannot grow properly from within. But, Premchand had to suffer a lot. He lost his taste in studying. However, he managed, somehow, to pass his matriculation examination with second division. His academic performance was not so bright. As he had no interest in Mathematics, he had to fail twice in the intermediate examination. At last, he had decided to leave the school. Child marriage was a sacred tradition in society. He was also pressurized for nuptials in his adolescence. He tied the knot at the age of 15. He had to shoulder his family responsibility. He faced the problems of livelihood. He started to give tuitions to the students. He used to cover a long distance of several miles daily on foot for teaching his students. He was also appointed as school inspector at Gorakhpur. But, he resigned himself from the government jobs for contributing to the freedom struggle of India.

He had an instinctive quality to write stories. He was a kind man. He was deeply moved with the pathetic conditions of Indian people. His works expresses his sensitivity. Initially, he started to write in Urdu with a pseudonym nabab Roy. He expressed not only the miserable conditions of people but also revolted against injustice. The English became aware of that fact and banned his works under publications. But that could not bring to an end of his writing for people. He started writing in Hindi with his new name, Premchand. The actual name of Premchand was Dhanpat Roy. That was the starting point of real journey of literature. He contributed his whole life to serve literature.

His own life was full of difficulties and struggles. His sufferings gave him insights to observe the afflictions of others appropriately. He wrote against exploitation, unawareness, suppressions, poverty and brutality. He always favored farmers and untouchables. His novels communicate his contemporary society and its people. They are full of real stories and events. He added a new dimension to art of novel writing. His description of characters and themes in his composition is outstanding. His works indicate that the phony pragmatism and optimism cannot accomplish the welfare of the underprivileged. It seems that he was impressed by Marxism. He advocated that human characters are affected and transformed by company which one has. His extensive thoughts and visions educate us countless things. ‘Seva Sadan’ portrays very aptly the situations that make a good woman a prostitute. ‘Premashram’ illustrates the sufferings of Indian peasants and widows. ‘Nirmala’ depicts the problem of child marriage. ‘Gaban’ and ‘Godan’ are one of the best novels written by him. The description of farmers in ‘Godan’ is rare even in the world literature. He convinced us by his writing that man is the foe of the man. ‘Rangbhumi’ and ‘Karambhumi’ also tell the social problems. He also composed several dramas. ‘Karbala’, ‘Sangram’ and ‘Prem Ki Vedi’ are some of the great drams. The anthology of his prose pieces is published in eight volumes under the heading ‘Manasarovar’. Premchand was such a great author that one cannot write down everything about him.