Don’t tax the intellect while subsidizing the living.
Hardik was sitting outside the cafe, clutching papers in one hand while balancing a tea and cigarette in the other. A peculiar grin spread across his face as he observed a group of people significantly younger than himself standing nearby. Their voices were muffled, but he could discern fragments of their conversation about early retirement and saving for a startup. Perhaps he was seeing a reflection of his younger self, contemplating the journey from a vibrant individual to an ordinary middle-class man.
Life flashed before his eyes. When he was a teenager, he dreamed of changing society. He wanted to build something that would help young people and people all over the country.
While he was studying for his board exams, he stopped hanging out with friends and just wanted to prove to his family that he was worth their investment for the JEE entrance exam and engineering. His parents believed in him, just like everyone else’s parents in the country.
When he joined IIT, it wasn’t his final destination. Four years in, he realized the need for an MBA. He believed an MBA would be a significant step towards his dream, offering a promising path forward. This seemed like a reasonable adventure, given his middle-class family’s emphasis on security. However, his parents couldn’t deny him the opportunity to pursue another entrance exam and course, as he had consistently proven his abilities.
He got into IIM and now age was starting to become a factor. After putting a lot of effort into technical stuff, he needed mental support and was forced to join lots of social and political groups because he wanted to be part of that world one day.
Family income started to feel limited because they had to save for their future and also for his settlement, just in case of a backup plan.
At every step, Amit reached the highest level and wanted to be more. But at some point, his parents’ hopes reached their peak, and they started asking him about jobs and plans.
He never imagined this would happen to him. So in sync with the system and himself, he believed earning money wouldn’t be an issue. Yet, giving up the dreams he’d tirelessly pursued for 28 years was excruciating. It was like possessing a flawless theoretical concept but never getting the chance to implement it.
Unable to resist the pull of routine, his body yearned for the familiar structure. Leaving his family behind was inconceivable. So, muscle memory took over. He married, secured a job, found an apartment, bought a car, saved some money, and now faces loan repayments.
Now he was sitting in a pleasant place, sipping tea and surrounded by positive people sharing their stories. He had achieved everything society expected of a middle-class child, yet he felt a void without his friends and family by his side. At thirty-six, his life was filled with dreams, but his reality was converging on social security.
He questioned whether this was the life he had envisioned and if his hard work and sacrifices were truly worthwhile. It felt as though nothing mattered in the end, as if he had made a fool of himself for so long that even a simple tea vendor seemed more content.
His smile vanished. He discarded his cup, grabbed his bag, and walked to his car.
So, there are thousands of people like Hardik who have learned so much that even institutions seem dwarfed by their efforts. But when life takes charge, they have to surrender because how long can one fight as the body loses its toughness with age? If as a society we could help them fulfill their financial duties to their families sooner, they might not have to rely on social security and lose their sense of purpose.
This story is about more than 100,000 kids in India, and that doesn’t include their personal, physical, and mental struggles, which people often ignore.
If 8-10% of these kids keep chasing their dreams every year and are not stopped by life problems, which is about 8,000 to 10,000 kids, it could change the country.
The government should help these intellectual and hardworking kids. While others who haven’t yet succeeded receive money for food and basic needs, it’s crucial to support those at risk of losing their purpose and youthful energy before they can take the risks necessary to pursue their dreams and establish careers.