Failing America

USA is considered as the dreamer’s paradise. It is known for its advanced capitalists pursuit, technological wonders, political innovations, social stunts and military arrogance. For the past half a century, the American domination in the world is unparallel. A carefully crafted policy combined with theatrics employed by the American stakeholders has shaped ‘the big image’. Today that fancy figure of America is in tatters. In every field they are collapsing and proving to be a failed nation.

In the social and political spheres, America has exposed its weakness long back. With 12 percent poverty ticking in the self-proclaimed prosperous land, other social evils are also teething. More than 90 percent of the teenaged girls are pregnant. Child bearing and social dropouts of teenaged girls are common. Health sector is in doldrums. Nearly 40 percent Americans cannot afford the high cost of the health services.

Education has the same sad story to narrate. With the blind commercialization every good thing associated with education is missing. This is amply clear from the democrat candidate Barack Obama’s election promise – “We will make education as a priority to make America competitive again in the world”. This has been the repeated promise of the Presidential candidates cutting party lines for the past two decades.

Collapse of the World Trade Centre towers in 2001 shows the inefficiency of the American police. That tragic incident may not be the single incident to expose the weakness of the system. But the aftermath of 9/11 is a clear indicator of the American confusion. In the run to capture Osama Bin Laden and Saddam Hussein, the Marines have messed up completely. Iraq and Afghanistan are almost destroyed. Without care for innocent lives, American military has bombarded the territories of these poor countries. Even after eight years, the great American military with ultra modern technology has failed to capture its enemy No.1, Osama. What is the use of self proclaimed supremacy? One man is challenging and defeating the only global super-power!

When every golden trait associated with the American supremacy is vanishing, capitalism was considered as its bedrock intact. Even that last fort is crumbling. In the past one year alone, the government has spent $900 to bail out failed private companies. The liberal and capitalist tendencies of the Americans were thrown in the air. Against the established norms of the American system, the state went in for the rescue of the collapsed private companies. “Privatization of profit and socialization of losses” says Nouriel Roubiani, a New York University professor. In the interests of the government and to safeguard the entire social system this rescue operation is carried out. For instance $85 billion package to AIG (American International Group) has some merit. The company has $1 trillion turnover with 73 million customers in 130 countries. Naturally any careless handling of the company’s inefficiency will affect both global and local social systems. But the question is, why this organizational bungling in the world’s No.1 nation?

Bailouts in 2008
Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac 200
Federal Housing Administration 300
Fed’s Term Auction Facility 200
JP Morgan Chase 87
AIG 85
Bear Stearns 29
Grants to local communities 4

$ in billion
Source: The Times of India, 18 September 2008, p.24.

A detailed analysis of the past few decades shows that the casual American approach is responsible for the shakeup of the foundation. Every issue was dramatized and looked in Hollywood movie style. Even they did not spare tragic incidents like 9/11.

In the intra-connected world every nation’s well-being is crucial. One cannot live happily without peaceful progress of the other. Any trouble for America or Iraq or Afghanistan or India is not good for the rest of the world. As the world leader, America needs to reform its thought processes and actions for the benefit of all. More importantly any carelessness will affect its own nation and people seriously. The American system is urgently in need of understanding and accepting this holy truth. The early they take it for implementation the better the world will be.

Indian education is the future

Suddenly the Indian education system is in the global limelight. Although a concrete foundation for the knowledge infusion and expansion was laid by Jawaharlal Nehru, his hard work is paying rich dividends for the nation today. A careful analysis of the reception received for Indian education institutions around the world points toward a new development – Indian education is the most sought after one today. The non stop applications of Japanese to Indian schools and the popular contestant from democrats in the U.S presidential elections – Barack Obama’s speech about the American need for Indian education are some of the many brewing future possibilities.
According to the current trends in Japan, Indian schools run for the NRIs and expatriates are receiving admission applications 400 percent above the intake capacity. The Japanese find Indian schools better off in teaching and imparting mental abilities. The core school subjects like Mathematics and science are considered to be the weakest links in the Japanese education system. Too much of adoption of western style education has dented the Japanese social development inter alia education. The consequences were felt everyday by the parents and the policy makers. While the latter seems to be not bothered about the declining standards of student abilities, the former has taken the lead in correcting the malaise. The Japanese parents found Indian education as the role model for progress in the mental development. Hence they are rushing to the schools run by Indians in Tokyo, Osaka, and other cities of Japan. These schools teach traditional subjects like Mathematics, science, history in combo with bharatanatyam, yoga, pottery, arts & crafts. Students from the Indian schools in Japan excel in every field of knowledge. Their English language ability is amazing. Indian school students self confidence level impresses every Japanese. All these factors have moved Japanese to seek admission instantly. Unfortunately only ten such schools are there which can meet the educational needs of Indian nationals and ex patriates. Naturally door is shut for such interested Japanese.

In the primaries and caucuses of Washington D.C, Maryland and Virginia, Barack Obama stressed on the need to revamp American education system. He is not the first and the last one to talk so. Earlier Bill Clinton in his tenure made last minute efforts to check the loopholes in the education system. His successor from the Republican camp – George Bush pumped in huge sum of money to invite Indian teachers and impart oriental languages for the development of American students. His step was to strategically prepare American system to understand the hidden animosities in the Islamic world and China. The popular worry in the American establishment after 9/11 is the growing anti-Americanism in the Muslim world. Apart from this “clash of civilization” syndrome, the American students are considered to be weak in the knowledge of world affairs. So much so even the American president George Bush gaffed many times with his ignorance of other nations on stage. This has caused a major insult to the psyche of American public. Result of this multi-sided attack on the American system has compelled the policy makers to seriously consider the revamp of their education system. One of the popular recommendations was replicating the Indian model of education.

If one thinks that Japan and America are odd cases, then the person is making a Himalayan blunder. Rest of the world is silently switching over to Indian tutors and guides. No wonder Indians are considered as the gatekeepers of cyber world. Through online tutoring system, British, Germans, French, Spanish, Chinese are seeking Indian guides. The success of Indians in the software industry combined with the open approach to foreign languages has given the much required edge for India. Koreans are coming in groups for school and higher education in India. The biggest advantage along with these trends is the English language skills. Ironically, Indians are teaching American and British upgrading their English communication skills.

Currently there is a heavy rush of Indian students to America, U.K, Australia and other OECD countries. More than a lakh of Indian students reach American shores for higher education every year. The old glory of American education and to boast an abroad degree, students are tempted to go there. With the declining standards of education and increasing racial violence this trend may get reversed. In addition to this, foreign universities are reaching India through various partnership methods. University of London’s external programme in India is one such best example. Through three Indian edupreneurs including the Indian School of Business and Finance (ISBF), New Delhi, 180 year old prestigious university has reaching out to Indian students. All in all, India is waiting to become educationally happening place in the coming years.

Now the ball is in the court of New Delhi. It must take advantage of the new development and expand its education system. Liberalizing the education provision is the best bet to move in the forward direction of global status.