My Expectations of a New India, as a Girl Student

 I heard a story in my class. It was about a talented girl who traveled long distances, from here and there, train to bus, stressed-out, so that she could pass this exam. NEET. Did she know that it would all end in vain? Can we imagine her abject despair?

By Riya Gupta

As a girl and an integral part of a culturally rich country called India, where there has been a tradition called unity and diversity, I feel surprised. And unhappy. This is because there has been a deliberate strategy to break this everlasting bond. 

Divide and rule, vicious mobilization based on a religious agenda, and still continuing into the future! Yet, we can’t forget that the challenges we face are manifold — gender inequality, organised injustice, mass poverty, and failure of the education system. Against this backdrop, I envision a new India where challenges are addressed and opportunities are equitable.

Education is the base for building a home, which starts from a brick. What I mean is not that kind of education which is filled with alpha, beta, and gamma. I mean a different kind of knowledge system.

A process of learning which makes us able to understand the world around us, which has a critical eye, and is driven by human values and ethics. A learning which compels us to explore the world, beyond the books prescribed by the NCERT. 

This is what I learn in my school: the School of Special  Excellence (SoSE). I learn that education is not just about academic excellence, but about preparing a classroom that encourages curiosity, debate and innovation, that prepares students to navigate the heady complexities of the modern world. 

After the NEET-leak news, I am disappointed. Not only because there has been a NEET scam caused by NTA, but because I am deeply concerned. What will happen to those who only depend on their academic score? 

I heard a story in my class. It was about a talented, diligent girl from a humble family, who traveled long distances, from here and there, train to bus, walking, waiting, stressed-out, holding her tiffin, so that she could pass this exam. 

Did she know that it would all end in vain? Can we imagine her abject desperation and despair?

Was all that worth it? 

She wasted one crucial year of her academic life on that exam, chasing a futile dream, because the NTA botched it up so badly, and so willfully.  In the end, as a girl, I know how parents react: do you really want to study? Or, should you get married? 

Hence, my suggestion for the new education system is to first, give equal focus to extra-curricular activities as much as academics; and, second, add more courses at the school level, focusing more on mass-media, film-making, the study of social sciences, philosophy, arts, aesthetics, literature, and culture. So that our emotional and intellectual life can become more richer and refined.

Gender inequality remains a significant obstacle in India. Despite legal actions, societal norms often limit a girl’s aspirations. As a school student, I often encounter bias — on a daily basis. You should not go there! You should not behave like this! You, obviously, can’t do this! 

It goes on an on.

So, in my ideal India, gender equality would be more than a feminist aspiration — it would be a tangible, lived, shared reality.

A realism in which girls would be given equal opportunities in education, employment and leadership. Strict laws against gender-based violence and strong awareness campaigns would be needed to create a safer environment. Moreover, we have to dump our stereotypes, and introspect. 

What exactly are we judging — is this justified or not?

As we know, a certain kind of politics in contemporary India is a threat to our democracy and Constitution — founded by Dr BR Ambedkar. This kind of power establishment can be easily achieved if organized propaganda and fake news work in tandem. That is why a critical thinking is so important.

In contrast, my India will be full of citizens who have a critical eye for everything, who would choose to elect the right candidates, and who really want a developed nation.

We would want a country with an enlightened, compassionate and visionary leader who will make our nation egalitarian, secular, safer. A society which enacts a sublime synthesis of sense and sensibility, theory and praxis.

Technological progress presents unprecedented opportunities. However, a digital divide persists, leaving rural and tribal communities far behind. In my vision, technology fulfills the needs that promotes social growth and equality, and is not used only to fill the endless coffers of a handful of super-rich billionaires.

Initiatives like free digital literacy and accessible internet can democratize opportunities. This should be done more in rural and adivasi areas, as compared to urban areas, since many people in these distant places can’t even send an email. These projects can help, including getting updated about social sector schemes, fundamental rights, women’s empowerment  — promises fulfilled, unfulfilled.

An ecological catastrophe is stalking our world. Amid this, in our own country, the Char Dham project, the PM’s pet project, has been initiated. It is destroying the fragile Himalyan ecology, while lakhs of trees have been cut down. Projects like this should be stopped. Instead, we should work for mega-diversity. 

India’s strength lies in its cultural diversity. Yet, there are fanatical forces lurking in the shadows — to create disturbance. In my India, diversity would be celebrated, fostering harmony, dialogue, enlightenment and mutual respect.

As students, we are shaping the future of India. By being informed and engaged, we can build a nation which celebrates the aspirations of both the young and the old. Instead of manufacturing lies, social divisions, hate politics and fake news.

Riya Gupta is a student of Class 11, Dr BR Ambedkar School of Specialised Excellence(SoSE), Andrews Ganj, Delhi Board of Secondary Education, under Delhi government.