I agree that financial constraints drive ppl to Engineering vs history. And it will take generations before ppl realize the value of diversity. Here’s hoping that the day comes sooner than later!

Making money is not the only path forward. I agree but money is indispensable. Even the best professor in the world wont teach if he isnt paid anything. This is not to say that the professor has only money on his mind but still…

Anyway, lack of opportunities may also be forcing students to study in engg and medicine, to study which, there are many opportunities. The money that circulates in these fields also acts like a significant added attraction, like a vital catalyst. Monetary prospects might make the difference in a person choosing between history and engineering. I think it also depends on the financial background of the person. If he’s already rich, he might not care much about money and might choose history acc. to his interests while a person who is poor and wants to advance himself financially, chooses engg. even going against his interests.

Anyway, I’m turning this into a psychology debate :p Atleast I agree that people should stop allowing other people influence them and recognise that all fields are equally important and rewarding.

Btw, I’ve filed the reply to your comment on my blog.

Regards

Anyway, my beef is not only with students following the herd, but also with there not being opportinities in other fields of study! My beef is that today’s young Indian does not have it in him to create opportunities. yes there are more jobs available for engineers and doctors. But, not every one can be one! So , instead of following the herd, we need a few that say ‘ What the hell, I will find my own unique path and survive’ !

Now, I have an argument to make.

“If the kid is extremely good academically, he or she studies medicine, the next level of people rush into engineering. ”

If a kid isnt interested, he himself need not choose engineering but maybe forced to do so. Basically, he’s not making the decisions but his parents. His parents present a narrow band of choices: “Engineering or medicine?” The kid’s got to choose one of these. If he says “I want to study History”, then a exasperated reply comes, “Will you roam on the roads after studying History?!” In fact, the parents may not be entirely false because they know that something like history might not be as “rewarding” (in getting a lucrative job that is) as engineering or medicine for their kid. The problem is that today, the concern of every individual is to make money as much money as possible first and the rest later. So, I guess it is not totally due to crowd behaviour or herd behaviour

Keshi.

Keshi.