“Coaching children for life doesn't mean scripting their future. It means illuminating their path, not choosing it for them.”
India's education system has long stood in the global spotlight. From the ancient contributions of Charaka and Sushruta to the technological leadership of Satya Nadella, the world has recognized India’s intellectual heritage. Yet, beneath the surface of this admiration lies a truth we often hesitate to confront: our system is increasingly driven by competition, conformity, and commodification.
The Shift: From Wisdom to Rat Race
The notion of “competition” infiltrated education during the 17th and 18th centuries—a time when traditional systems began giving way to industrial frameworks. Ironically, although the epics Ramayana and Mahabharata narrate tales of rivalry, our education wasn’t originally built on competition. It was built on character, wisdom, and self-mastery.
Fast-forward to today, and competition seems to have become the soul of schooling. Sadly, India has not just followed this trend—we’ve accelerated it. Education has become a race, and schools, the tracks. The finish line? Marks, placements, and perceptions.
A Real Conversation That Says It All
Recently, I spoke to a parent about his son’s future. His son had completed engineering in Computer Science but hadn’t secured a campus placement. The parent asked, “What do you think he should do next?”
I countered, “Did you ask your son that?”
He replied, “No, he’s confused. I’m planning to send him to coaching for bank exams.”
There it was—a decision already made. The child’s confusion had become the parent’s conclusion. It wasn’t a dialogue; it was a verdict.
This interaction reminded me of a quote I once saw:
“India is the only country where people complete graduation and then decide what field to choose.”
It’s funny, yet painfully true. The issue doesn’t begin at college. It starts in the early years of schooling, where institutions and parents alike view education through the lens of comparison and competition rather than curiosity and capability.
The Business of Education
In one of my entrepreneurship workshops, a participant eagerly asked me for investment ideas. I suggested options like industrial real estate or niche markets. At the end, he confidently said, “I’ve decided to start a school. Good business—I'll earn well in 1–2 years.”
And therein lies the problem.
Education and healthcare—two pillars of societal welfare—have increasingly become commercial gold mines. Schools are mushrooming, not necessarily to mentor, but to multiply money. Rankings, results, and revenues take center stage. Teachers feel the pressure too. My mother, a teacher, often worries during board exam results—not just for her students' performance, but because another school might outshine hers, causing embarrassment at staff meetings.
This is not education. This is ego dressed as excellence.
Parents: Be the Coach, Not the Commander
Parents often ask me what’s best for their children, but they forget to ask the children themselves. I remind them of one simple truth:
“A coach doesn’t play the game for the athlete. They guide, observe, and support. They teach how to play, not what to play.”
Unfortunately, many parents design their child’s path based on social metrics—what the neighbor’s kid is doing, what’s trending, or what "guarantees" a job. In doing so, they unknowingly rob their children of one of life’s most essential tools: the power to decide.
Yes, you may want the best for your child. But wanting the best does not mean choosing for them—it means preparing them to choose for themselves. Let them stumble, explore, question, and evolve. Their individuality is not a burden; it's their greatest asset.
Students: Passion Isn’t a Shortcut
To the students reading this—you often tell me your passion is different, that you wish you were doing something else. I hear you. But my question is: What effort have you made to pursue it?
It’s not enough to simply have a passion. Passion without persistence is just poetry. If you truly believe in something, then research it. Dive deep into the field, understand the future scope, and most importantly, test your commitment to it.
Don't just fantasize about an alternate reality—explore it, build it, live it.
And remember: passion is not a shield from hard work—it’s a reason for it.
Let Learning Be Learning Again
Education should not be reduced to test scores and job guarantees. It should empower students with clarity, character, and curiosity. Encourage exposure. Talk to people from different walks of life. Share knowledge across generations. (More than half my closest mentors are above 50 years old.)
Don’t wait for marks to validate your journey. Your knowledge, your adaptability, and your vision determine your future—not just your grades.
Let us move beyond the outdated model of competitive education. Let us build a learning ecosystem where:
- Students are explorers, not rote machines.
- Parents are guides, not generals.
- Schools are sanctuaries of growth, not just businesses.
- And education is seen as transformation, not transaction.
Let us not raise perfect children. Let us raise conscious individuals.
It’s time we stopped asking children, “What will you become?”
And started asking them, “Who do you wish to be—and how can I help you get there?”
