VACT

Educate 2 Empower

By - Anirudh Govindarajan VACT

India, it is said has an advantage in its demographic dividend i.e. a high percentage of population is in its working age (15-59 years). However, it goes without saying that we will be able to take full advantage of this dividend only if all our human resources are literate and are able to work to their full potential in building our economy. Indeed, we can reap the rewards of our demographic dividend only by educating our citizens and tapping their un-harnessed potential. In this context, it wouldn't be an overstatement to say that education has the power to make or break a nation.

The 2011 census throws up some promising information in this regard. The literacy rate has shown a 9 percent increase from 2001 and now stands at 74%. However, I am sure you would agree that a lot more needs to be done to uplift the section of society still living in poverty. Even as we agree on this, it's about time that we, as citizens, stand up and do our bit towards improving the education scenario in India. We can no longer sit and continue to lampoon our government. A large chunk of government expenditure goes into defense, food security and PDS, health and of course education too. But it has now become obvious that our country needs a push from its relatively well-off citizens.

I hope that you do not mind my use of the term 'well-off'. In many ways, we are. We work in air-conditioned offices, earn reasonably well and are able take time off for rest and relaxation. During the time we were studying, we were assured of a comfortable place to sit and study and at least a fan ran over our heads. In contrast, look at the conditions under which the girl Suganya studied. Having lost her father in an accident, she lived (and continues to live) with her mother and brother in a small room -cum-kitchen with asbestos roofing. One can imagine the amount of heat it would trap in the sun.

Every day is a struggle in such a situation. In spite of the odds being stacked against her, she has demonstrated her ability to work hard even in the face of difficulties by securing above 85% in her higher secondary examinations. Just consider the following scenario: Two people perform equally well in an examination. However, one of them lived in a two bedroom apartment with air-conditioning and other comforts like refrigerated water and internet access whereas the other lived in a room like Suganya's.

Now, who is to be appreciated more? This scenario, as much as it may appear to be lifted from a tear -jerker Tamil movie (or for that matter, any Indian language!), only highlights the reality of our nation today and is in no way aimed at belittling anyone's achievement.

As citizens of this nation, the first thing we must do is to accept this reality. Next, we must ponder over the question that is, what can We do to change this reality?

I say We instead of we because We have the power when V - ACT together. So how can We demonstrate our power - By pitching in when someone like Suganya has to drop out of engineering education due to lack of funds. Every Suganya We help will complete her engineering degree and then contribute to our nation's growth. I am sure that there are a lot of Suganyas around and many of them are in need of funds even for their primary and secondary schooling, with college education being a distant dream for them. Our country needs their participation in its work force as much as they need help to continue with their education. Therefore, let's help them to study and empower them. In turn, they will empower our nation.

For VACT Anirudh Govindarajan