Assam—a land of tea, silk, and one of the richest biodiversity zones in the world. But let’s not forget another export that’s quickly becoming its most famous—its brains. Yes, we’re talking about the ever-growing trend of young, talented individuals packing their bags and boarding flights to lands far away.
From the bustling corridors of Guwahati to the sprawling campuses of the US and Europe, Assam’s brightest minds are chasing opportunities that, frankly, they can’t find back home. But is this brain drain a catastrophic loss or just part of the global game?
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India’s brain drain isn’t exactly a new phenomenon. It’s more like a recurring plot twist in the country’s economic saga. Every year, hundreds of thousands of Indians—engineers, doctors, scientists, and tech whizzes—wave goodbye to their homeland, leaving a trail of worried policymakers and empty chai cups behind. They’re off to greener pastures, where jobs pay better, the Wi-Fi is faster, and you can finally catch a break from those power cuts.
But here’s the thing - India, with its whopping 2 crore overseas residents and a record of losing 23,000 millionaires in just four years, is feeling the sting. The loss isn’t just in the numbers; it’s in the expertise, the innovation, and the economic firepower that could have fuelled India’s growth right here at home. Assam, a state that’s already struggling to retain its talent, is hit even harder by this intellectual exodus.
Let’s zoom in on Assam, where the story takes an even sharper turn. The state, known for its rich cultural heritage and natural beauty, is rapidly losing its best and brightest. Why?
The educational infrastructure, while commendable in many ways, doesn’t quite match up to the allure of Western universities. Just ask any aspiring doctor who couldn’t snag one of those coveted seats in India’s limited medical colleges. And let’s not even talk about the engineering aspirants who find themselves buried under mountains of entrance exam prep books, only to be disappointed by the scant opportunities available.
And then there’s the job market! With unemployment on the rise and skill mismatches making it harder to find the right fit, many of Assam’s youth are looking elsewhere. They’re tired of waiting for the economy to catch up to their ambitions. The wage disparities are staggering, and the rigid academic environment often feels more like a prison than a playground for young minds.
But what happens when these brilliant minds leave Assam? The state isn’t just losing people; it’s losing potential. Each doctor who leaves represents healthcare that won’t be delivered. Each engineer who migrates takes with them the innovation that could have fueled local industries. And each student who studies abroad but doesn’t return is another blow to the state’s educational ecosystem.
On the flip side, the places where these individuals end up—often bustling metros in the US, Europe, or even Bengaluru—reap the rewards. They gain fresh talent, new ideas, and, let’s be honest, a significant boost to their GDP.
So, what’s the solution? Should we tie our youngsters to their desks in their hometown and throw away the key? Of course not. The answer lies in making Assam (and India) a place they want to stay in.
First, let’s upgrade our educational infrastructure. If we want to keep our brightest minds, we need to give them a reason to stay. That means more seats in top-tier colleges, more investment in research, and an academic environment that encourages innovation rather than rote learning.
Next, we need to create jobs that match the ambitions of our youth. Partnering with the private sector to build industries that can absorb the talent we’re currently losing. Think tech parks in Guwahati, startups in Jorhat, and research hubs in Dibrugarh.
Brain drain might seem like an inevitable side effect of globalization, but it doesn’t have to be. Assam and India have the resources, the talent, and the potential to turn this trend around. It’s time we stop seeing brain drain as a loss and start playing the brain game—investing in our youth, our industries, and our future. Because, in the end, the best minds shouldn’t have to leave home to find what they’re looking for. They should be able to find it right here, in the heart of Assam.
(The author is the IGP (STF & Admin), Assam. The views and opinions expressed in the article are the author’s own)
