"Going abroad is the new disease among children": Vice President laments brain drain and forex loss

Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar expressed concern over the growing trend of Indian students going abroad for education, calling it a "new disease" and lamenting the impact on both the nation's foreign exchange and intellectual capital.

Speaking at an event organized by a private educational institution in Sikar, Rajasthan, Dhankhar highlighted the adverse effects of education becoming commercialized, which he believes is damaging the quality of education and the future of the country.

"There is a new disease among children - the desire to go abroad. They enthusiastically pursue dreams of studying overseas, but without fully assessing the institution or the country they are going to," said the Vice President. He pointed out that in 2024, an estimated 1.3 million Indian students are expected to study abroad, and noted that many are beginning to realize their futures could have been brighter had they pursued their education in India.

Dhankhar emphasized that this exodus of students has caused a significant foreign exchange loss, estimating it to be around $6 billion. He called upon leaders in the education sector to create awareness among students and work to prevent the "brain drain" and the associated financial loss.

"Imagine if that $6 billion was invested in enhancing the infrastructure of our educational institutions - where would we stand today? This is not just a brain drain; it’s also a forex drain. Institutions must take responsibility in informing students about the realities of studying abroad," he said.

The Vice President further criticized the commercialization of education, describing it as detrimental to the nation's future, and in some instances, akin to "extortion." He advocated for the use of technology to improve the quality of education and commended the National Education Policy, calling it a "game changer" for the country’s educational landscape.