Any thing on Indian education becomes a frivolous ploy if the pre-independence circumstances aren’t considered. During the days of the British Raj, the entire country was put on a grueling course of a set of topics very horizontally covered under a common scheme. There was math, science and social studies on one end and a strong emphasis on the English language with the local language. This was aimed at putting all Indians on par with one another thereby making them effective workers for the government. Administrative and clerical operations got strengthened giving rise to a strong middle-class and educated (not highly qualified) work force. Little wonder, Indian English is close to the original and communication very diplomatic and received.

The post-independence era saw the basic education system remain more or less the same but was made into a right for everyone. Contrary to what it was and the current American education system, in India education is a right and not a privilege. People from all walks of life and strata are eligible to apply for universities of their choice and depending on their strengths and past records can become a part of elitist of fraternities. The country every year witnesses a frenetic race for university degrees in the Engineering and Medical streams, which requires each candidate to be outstanding in his or her chosen area. Finance, Management and other high-end disciplines attract huge amounts of applicants vying for few seats in a wide array of institutions with different philosophies and policies.

The modern Indian student has grown beyond the conventional streams of education. At a higher level he or she seeks subjects like petrochemical engineering, wireless communications, embedded technologies, biotechnology, microbiology, biomechanics, endocrinology, aeronautics and other new age, globally critical areas of education.

Conventional and established disciplines are very much in order currently but the Indian student still looks beyond Indian shores for quality education in specific areas. Not everyone can make it to Princeton or Rhodes, but the Indian student wouldn’t mind even the fifth and eighth rung schools abroad. The reason being the practical approach to high-end subjects and the international exposure, which will hold them in good stead, when they move on to the corporate world. Banks and financial institutions offering scholarships and educational loans have made foreign education all the more accessible to the ordinary Indian aspirant.

In Karnataka, besides the National Research and Development institutes, there are general, agricultural and health universities, general, technical, medical and dental colleges, polytechnics, industrial training institutions and special institutions affiliated to the universities and govt. bodies. All these in an area of 1,92,000 square kilometers and a population close to 50 million. It doesn’t take much to understand from these figures the huge potential for educational initiatives in the state.

Academically, Karnataka has a strong history. From Nobel laureate Sir C.V. Raman to the present day’s Rhodes Scholar Girish Karnad, Karnataka students have some exemplary examples to follow. Indian Institute of Science and Indian Institute of Management are the premier science and management institutions in the country. There are many prodigies waiting to explore their intellect to its fullest. Every home has a youngster with dreams and a talent to match, waiting for their time in the sun.