The Perils of a welfare projection by state

Our country by its very nature is a welfare state where the state has been providing to the people. However, the same has gradually changed and more so, after the shifting economic policy of liberalisation, privatisation and globalisation post 1991.

Education has been one of such areas. And the focus for this post being higher education.

The founders of the nation with their vision wanted to create a system of learning which would churn out professionals who in turn would go on to serve the nation in a manner mostly deemed fit by the government. In other words, a candidate going into a professional or technical course had a very high probability of getting placed within the government system.

However the times change and so do the jobs and what they offer.

Hence, the citizens have an onus to lookout for what they choose and what they might get as their need after they have been trained would be very different for the system or not needed at all.

In the present scenario of professional courses, candidates initially get to choose by a system of counselling of what they would be studying and have an option to opt out of it if it does not suit their aspirations. 

Secondly it also is an onus on the candidate to ascertain the viability of the course they are taking up and how does the same align with the aspirations and needs of the people, who in the real sense are the government. Also, the prospects of the profession.

Why am I posting this? The time for the choice is fast approaching for the newer batch of youngsters and believe me, the government has very limited options to offer and to top it up all policies of the government is also judged by other nations too and not only the citizenry which affects everything. You’ve got to assume that there is no offer and you are out on your own, even when the government is paying a part of your fee and sponsoring your institution. 

Be smart, be aspirational and good luck.

Disclaimer: I work for the government. But then, I had to sit for an exam to be chosen, with the odds being 1500:1. It’s tough out there and nothing served on a platter.