Essays

The concept of 'brain drain' is a recent one that has ever strongly emerged since the last few decades. The phrase 'brain drain' refers to the increasing tendency of the young, energetic, capable and talented youth of a country who migrate to another country in search of their fortune - rather better fortune. They forsake their motherland for they seek better opportunities in other countries. This has become a charcteristic more of the intelligentsia of the nation - the doctors, engineers/ scientists, M.B.As, C.As, lawyers and other professionals—this explains, the specific use of the word 'Brain1 in the phrase 'Brain Drain'. Our country is gradually being deprived of its intellectual capacity. Our nation, if this continues, will be rendered intellectually impoverished and impotent. This in turn, is leading to a great loss of national wealth.

But, have we ever thought of the reasons behind such a great outflow of 'brain' from the country? Like always, we prefer to harp upon problems rather than find solutions. Why does India, a great and domineering nation in Asia, has to face such a grave and serious problem? Why is our youth allured by the stranger meadows and horizons? Why do they prefer to work hard and be honest there, instead of here?

The first answer to this problem is that we have failed utterly in providing the right kind of opportunities to our youth. We have fallen face down when it comes to fulfilling their aspirations, ambitions and   dreams. Countries like USA UK, Germany, France, Russia/ Italy, Japan etc have developed greatly in their technology, science, electronics, computers, astronomy etc. Thus, these countries provide greater opportunities—quality as well as quantity-wise. The facilities, packages, scholarships etc provided by these nations are far better than what we can provide them in a lifetime. But with Indians like Amartya Sen, Arundhati Roy or Kalpana Chawla making it to international fame, shows that the situation is perhaps not so grim.

Cynics allege that talents like these can never hide. They will unreveal themselves ultimately under every or any circumstances. However, it is only reasonable and logical to think how can a seed sprout without sufficient water, fertilizer, manure, heat and protection. Same is the case with humans too. How can the youth of a nation rise to superhuman feats when we cannot even provide them with humane conditions. He too, has a right to live and move ahead. Therefore, his reason leads him elsewhere in search of the land of his dreams where he sees these dreams taking real shape. He can soar high, fly to his own liking in other countries whereas here he feels his wings are clipped short and he is left to suffocate and die on his own. Moreover, when Indian students, studying abroad return, they find themselves without suitable job or opportunity because we in reality have no jobs or employment avenues to match their calibre. Hence, even if they want to stay back, necessity forces them out of the country to earn a living.

If we want to put a check to this growing problem, we have to create better jobs and offer better opportunities for our intellectuals so that we can woo them to stay on. Our IT professionals and IIM graduates are the best in the world. Countries welcome them with open arms. Why can't we think of some measures where we can absorb our best within our own country? We can use the best potential of the country to accelerate our progress in socio-economic fields. We need to give deserving jobs to students, who return to India after completing their education abroad, full of fresh ideas, zeal, idealism and patriotism. We need to formulate such policies which attract our scientists, engineers, lawyers, doctors, researchers, MBAs to come back to their motherland and work together for its progress. We need to weed out petty politics and corruption to provide a better living atmosphere and a better working condition if we seriously want to block the brain drain from our country.