Is academics equivalent to success, in India?

Heinrich Rohrer once said, “Science means constantly walking a tightrope between blind faith and curiosity; between expertise and creativity; between bias and openness; between experience and epiphany; between ambition and passion; and between arrogance and conviction - in short, between an old today and a new tomorrow.”

The battle between proficiency and creativity is a never ending one. People, all around - of all fields, are always torn as to which one to go ahead with for the completion of their tasks. However, we at times engross ourselves so much in one means, that we forget the other exists to be employed. Such a realization was ignited within us by the co-founder of Apple, Steve Wozniak in his recent visit.

He believed that the Indian culture considers success to be one that is based on academic excellence, studying, practicing and having a good work-life. Also, pointed out that he envision two Indias and sees such an ethnicity only in the upper India. While he makes a valid point and there are countless evidence to support him, the situation and circumstances in the country only allow so much of inventiveness.

Facts do side with his words as there are hardly any entrepreneurs in India, who firstly, gather the courage to follow their dreams and secondly, who make it to the finish line as successful. It takes years of hard work and exhaustive imagination, to be able to come up with new things to do and invent. Stagnation in work and creativity is one’s ultimate downfall. Wozniak also believes that just a standard MBA, with the right amount of dedication in clearing it, can get one a Mercedes and peaceful life. He said, “The creativity gets left out when your behaviour is too predictable and structured, everyone is similar.”

As much as his words are a true picture and a critical analysis of our country’s state, it's hard to fully agree with him. As mentioned earlier, the circumstances in India only allow a stagnated growth. The price of success is dedication to the job, the determination to make it through and hard work with lots of practice. We have to apply the best of ourselves to be able to finish the task at hand. Success is not always about coming up with new ideas, each and every day. It is also about working on the prior ideas consistently to get a final yield, rather than giving up midway to toil on another initiative.

While there may be hundreds of people willing to take the risk and portray themselves as much more than regular workers getting a decent pay, the demand of followers than leaders does not allow them to rise above their horizon. India is also the land of labor intensive jobs, which need skills and dedication over inventiveness. Thus, people agree to whatever job they can get to meet their ends meet with a bit of an investment.

At times, fulfilling everyone’s expectations outrank the need to follow one’s dreams and passions and that’s how the society works everywhere, no matter what country it is. It’s all about who’s willing to take the risk!