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Showing posts from June, 2025

The Illusion of Order: When 'Civilized' Means 'Sterilized'

 I remember my first visit to the United States over a decade ago. Landing from my small, bustling hometown of Meerut, India, I was instantly awestruck. The silence, the systematic flow of traffic, the lack of honking—it was a world engineered for flawless human convenience. Everything was neat, clean, and in order . For nearly a year, I was hypnotized. I praised this country for its efficiency, its cleanliness, and, notably, its lack of stray animals . Where were the dogs, the cows, the insects that are a normal part of life back home? The US, I thought, was truly a superior model of civilization. My clothes never even collected dust; it seemed the entire landscape was sterilized. But as the years passed, the hypnosis began to fade. I started asking a darker question: What is the price of this perfect order? The Cost of the Empty Road My initial praise for the US was based on what I didn't see: no stray animals, no swarming insects, no dust. I realized this absence wasn't a s...

In What Way Education Institutions in India Better than in Europe?

Education institutions in India and Europe both have strengths and weaknesses, and which is "better" depends on what you're comparing — cost, academic rigor, global reputation, access, or cultural context. However, here are some areas where Indian education institutions may be considered better than their European counterparts, depending on the lens: 1. Affordability and Return on Investment Lower Tuition Fees : Public institutions in India (especially IITs, IIMs, AIIMS, etc.) offer world-class education at a fraction of the cost compared to European private universities. Value for Money : For many students, especially from middle-income backgrounds, an IIT degree can lead to global opportunities with minimal student debt. 2. Competitive Environment Merit-Based Admissions : Entrance to top Indian institutions like IITs and AIIMS is highly competitive, often considered tougher than Ivy League admission due to the sheer number of applicants. Academic Rigo...