Think beyond IIT

After our chemistry teacher was transferred, a new male teacher was introduced. I’ll miss my teacher for sure, though I know that the new teacher has seven years of work experience.

After our chemistry teacher was transferred, a new male teacher was introduced. I’ll miss my teacher for sure, though I know that the new teacher has seven years of work experience.

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At the outset, he seemed energetic and on the go. He was enthusiastic about his job. On his first day at work, after he introduced himself to us, he assured us that he will help us to solve all our problems regarding the syllabus. He also promised us that we’d crack the IIT entrance test successfully with his lessons.

Then, he popped a question at all of us, “How many of you plan to get into IIT?” Nearly half the class rose its hands. Some of them were aimless students too. They were the sort who moved with the crowd.

The question, anyway, tickled me inside. I began to think, “Why does opting for science mean opting for IIT alone?”

Why don’t the new teachers ever ask how many of us want to become artists, fashion designers, animators, journalists, hotel managers and architects?

I also thought why had my new chemistry teacher not been to IIT? The next day, our school invited students who had made it to IIT from our school to deliver a lecture and motivate the rest of us to make it to IIT.

IIT to me is the Indian Institute of Terrorism and not Institute of Information Technology. I find it amusing that those who run the coaching classes have never seen the face of IIT. Our education system is a rat trap. None of us is equipped enough to do anything about it. The idea behind writing this letter was to connect with those who think like me.

I wish to become a fashion designer some day. I want to contribute to the growth of art. And most importantly, I want to take a path less chosen.