It makes for an amazing story. Everyone is shocked and amazed at how Sahal Kaushik at age 14 become the IIT entrance topper from Delhi region. Calling him a child prodigy, everyone is amazed at his abilities and the way he has been brought up getting educated at home rather than going to school.
I was watching his interview on TV and rather than marveling at his achievements, i felt sad looking at the poor kid. He could barely speak when asked questions. His mom decided to be the key spokesperson for him. The child showed no emotions when being told that he had topped IIT Delhi rankings. There was a little smile on his face but just a little. Maybe his mom taught him mental calculations but the child failed to learn to smile. The kid hardly had any friends of his age. Watching the interview further, the mentor of the child at his coaching academy Naraina said that he was disappointed at Sahal's 33 All India Rank!! With a heavy power specs on, poor Sahal looked like a mini computer rather than a 14 year old kid.
This makes my mind wonder.
Is it beginning of a race of creating superhuman? Would it have made a difference if Sahal had been IIT topper at age 18 rather than 14? Aren't social skills of any value? Will kids pressurized to become super achievers ever get to live their childhood? Isn't playing in mud water with childhood friends a greater memory and gift for life than cracking an academic examination?
It good to be ambitious, it keeps the world progressing. But is it worth the cost of killing somebody's childhood? Will be keep burdening the shoulders of our youth with expectation till they break down? Will one Sahal's achievement lead to pressure on many other young kids to an extent that many of them gain suicidal tendencies? It makes me wonder..
(The opinions expressed are personal viewpoints of author Chaitanya Jha)
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