Brain Drain - Myth or Reality?

I remember sitting in a classroom way back in my sixth class when “Brain Drain” was the “it” phrase that was uttered by everyone around you. Taking advantage of the situation, my English teacher conducted a group discussion in the class about it. Immediately, our class of 32 split into two—either you are for or against it. I was one of those people who was against it. I argued with anyone who would say it should be encouraged or that it is good for the country. More than a decade later, the use of phrase has diminished almost entirely though I still believe in the same- the very same belief made me try my best to give GATE to get into the topmost institutes in the country- the IITs. But after going there, one of the most regarded institutes in the country, if not the world, it hit me even more- brain drain is a greater reality than ever. IITs are most known for generating the cream of the country. But a significant percentage of these very IITians aspire to move to another country and settle there. The reasons may be many, but the destination is the same.

For a country that is developing, its human capital is its biggest asset. The loss of it leads to a great setback in its development. We Indians jump at every chance to go “videshi” – for post graduation studies, for a job or post-marriage. It is a proud moment when we can earn in dollars and send them home to our parents – a wish for many of us. We thrive for that moment in life when we can live in luxury, away from our pothole-filled, polluted, crowded homeland struggling to provide for our families. We move away from our country ‘cause it’s not developed enough and leaving it worsens the condition here- we are losing the best of the country to another country that already is developed. It’s a vicious circle that has been taking place for the last few decades. We leave our country in hopes of finding better infrastructure, better facilities and better living conditions.

I have rather a horde of cousins and friends in USA, UK and other developed countries. Sometimes, I hear the same sentence over and over again, “I’ll come back soon”. And so far, a very few did. Most of them go in the hope of learning new techniques, honing their skills and coming back to serve the country. How much percent actually does?  I have an example of that too. My cousin moved to US when his Father got a job there. He did his undergrad and graduation in a very reputed university. He left a highly paying job to join a meager salary paying job in India as a primary education teacher. He says he was never this satisfied- he was shaping the future of his country- our country. More young graduates should take it up as a challenge to make our country better. Many of the students who go for their post graduation studies, my peers, end up taking large loans for paying their fees and other expenditure. To pay off these loans, they work for that country and somehow stay till they get a greencard before they come back. Years later, if you ask them why they never came back, they probably wouldn’t have a definite answer, just a string of excuses.

I agree, some countries are more developed than us, but we should keep in mind that young graduates from institutes all over our country, innovative and creative, can make our country so too. It’s in the hands of these young minds to make it a better place. Brain Drain is right now too much of a reality to bring some substantial change – We Indians need to hold hands and come together for a cause- the betterment of our society.