talent search

Irfan Alam from rural North Bihar, was discovered surprisingly by the United States of America when an invitation on behalf President Barrack Obama was extended and delivered through the Ambassador for being a guest during April 26-27, 2010 Entrepreneurship Summit in Washington. There may be 100s/1000s of Irfans in remote areas of India who may continue to remain undiscovered because every time Presidents from outside are not inclined to discover all such talents from this country. This is only one side of the story when it comes to talent search. On the other side, if we go by electronic and print media, it appear and looks ironical to find that there appear to be hardly 50-60 intellectuals who frequently and invariably appear on the TV channels everyday and night and debate on almost all topics. Irrespective of the fact that debates as such become monotonous to see the same face, same talk and same attributes every time leaving an impression as if we have no other person(s) who could be considered in the class of intellectuals.

It is very difficult to assess as to how much impact such debates make but many large hidden/undiscovered talents in remote India must be regretting as to why they were born in rural/undiscovered India. Time has come to realize that knowledge and talents are not the monopoly of elitists living in Delhi but are spread all over the country and it may come from the remotest areas of the country, be it Palkulu, Narsarpur, Shahjahanpur or Baidyanathpur.

In rural India, there are two distinct classes where talents could be rusting for want of opportunity. The first category is of illiterates in the age group of 5-10 years and the balance are educated youths. Those who are in the age group of 5-10 but illiterate are likely to become a big mass of disgruntled, hostile and demotivated youth after 10-15 years as their numbers may be of several crores during the course of time. Such things are going to be bad for the nation, particularly when its economy is developing at a faster rate today. This will create a very big gap and problem between the divided “haves” and the united “have nots”. Such a large number of “have nots” will pose a formidable challenge after 10-15 years.

Educational system will also require further reform if not a revamp to give opportunities for growth of talents. The present education system to choose talents out of first 95-100% marks achievers needs to be relooked into as talents may not necessarily be out of this band only. They may be even among those who achieve marks ranging from below 95%. Please do not frustrate talents below 90%. Therefore, it would require rethinking on selection criteria for students for higher education.

“Elites are talented or talents are elitists” has become the general impression today. There is a need to evolve a mechanism for search of talents outside the ‘box’. Why not create ‘Talent Search Authority of India’. The Government’s utmost concern for inclusive growth may take a longer time if such talent and entrepreneurship available locally in remote rural India are not discovered. India lives in villages and so are its talents. Create opportunities for them and search them out. Let wisdom prevail.