United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) report in 1969, had defined brain drain as, “An abnormal form of scientific exchange between countries, characterised by a one-way flow in favour of the most highly developed countries”. Almost four decades later, the definition of brain drain has not changed a great deal with talented students still leaving the shores of developing countries in pursuit of better opportunities in the developed nations.
A report by the World Bank had placed India third in terms of brain drain, even ahead of China and Germany. The first two slots were taken up by Britain and Philippines. The percentage of Indian immigrants to foreign countries represents more than five per cent of the total graduate population, which in numbers count to millions. The UNDP estimates that India loses $2 billion a year because of the emigration of computer experts to the U.S. Indian students going abroad for their higher studies costs India a foreign exchange outflow of $10 billion annually. Well, this just can’t be called brain drain, this is Brain Haemorrhage.
Unemployment in India has been an overused excuse by the one’s who are responsible for such brain drain and also by the ones who are desperately trying to contribute to the same. The opportunities inside the country suddenly seem small and worthless in front of the starry image of the West. More than anything else, better lifestyle and a developed country name to flaunt, has lead people into migrating their working areas from their native place to a western country. But the question remains is it really so starry as it seems? Are there seriously no “good” job opportunities in India? Well, had this question come a decade earlier the answer would have been a tragic yes, but today when many multi national companies are desperately trying to establish a branch in India, the verity differs.
Our nation is spending hugely on the training of the Intellects of our country. The country has already achieved the nuclear status as well as become a space power. There are enough opportunities for all the Indian scientists and engineers settled abroad, if they come back to India. They should play an important role in future progress of our country and share the honour of participating in this sacred task.
But it is not right to say that India has all the infrastructure needed by those pursuing higher studies in different subject matters. Ph.Ds and the Master Degree holders will need access to state of the art laboratory infrastructure. Now, until we can create a conducive platform for them to deliver results, how do we expect them to relocate to India. There is a serious dearth of quality education/research institutes and even though infrastructure is being ramped up, still it is below par. It is worrisome that a premier education body of the stature of IIM is finding it difficult to maintain its standards in its new branches.
If you look at the issue of brain drain closely, it is not that people are betrayers of the country if they work for foreign companies or go to foreign countries to work. They want to live with self-respect and they don’t want to see all this mess lying here. The unwritten rule is to protect yourself and your family and provide them a good quality of life. Law and order in India is forcing all those who can escape, to escape from the system. If you are living in this country, you must have seen lines of people around MLAs, MPs, Ministers and if you want to lead a good quality of life, you ought to know these people. Then, why are we always asked for bribes? Why are licenses issued easily to powerful people and a common man has to fight it out? Why are we supposed to pay bribes for every government work? When are we going to find answers for these questions?
It is not difficult to find the ways to solve the problems existing in the country. Generating employment, opening new sectors and streamlining the system can solve the problems. For most of this, it is required to retain the brains of this country to remain in the country and work for it. If you want to retain the youth then you ought to give them respect and make leaders out of them and not coward, scary followers of our system. All that is needed is accountabilty if something wrong is done anywhere in the system.
The main thing to be remembered is, wherever we go and wherever we live, whatever we earn and whatever we become, patriotism should not be lost to personal fervor.