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By:

Rajendra Joshi

3 December 2024 at 9:20:26 am

The Warning Beyond NEET

The Jantar Mantar protests exposed the widening gap between education, employment and growth. The month-long protest at Delhi's Jantar Mantar may have formally ended, but the political and economic questions it raised will linger. Triggered by the NEET paper leak, the movement became a major expression of youth discontent. What began as a demand for a fair examination system became a broader indictment of an economic model that promises opportunity but increasingly fails to deliver...

The Warning Beyond NEET

The Jantar Mantar protests exposed the widening gap between education, employment and growth. The month-long protest at Delhi's Jantar Mantar may have formally ended, but the political and economic questions it raised will linger. Triggered by the NEET paper leak, the movement became a major expression of youth discontent. What began as a demand for a fair examination system became a broader indictment of an economic model that promises opportunity but increasingly fails to deliver employment. The government initially treated the protests as a law-and-order issue. That changed when the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), the ideological fountainhead of the ruling establishment, publicly criticised police action and expressed solidarity with the students. The subsequent resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, withdrawal of criminal cases and RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat's endorsement of the integrity and aspirations of India's Gen Z transformed the political narrative. The issue had moved beyond examination reform to whether India's development model is serving its young citizens. The NEET paper leak was merely the spark. The fuel had accumulated through rising educated unemployment, declining confidence in public institutions and growing frustration among millions of young Indians. Education is increasingly seen as an uncertain investment rather than a guaranteed pathway to opportunity. Every examination scandal reinforces the perception that merit alone is insufficient, while recruitment delays deepen the belief that the system is failing those who have done everything expected of them. India has celebrated its demographic dividend for nearly two decades, projecting its young workforce as its greatest competitive advantage. But demographic dividends are never automatic. They generate prosperity only when education is matched by employment, productivity and rising incomes. Otherwise, they become demographic liabilities that breed frustration rather than growth. The evidence suggests India is approaching that inflection point. GDP has expanded impressively over the past two decades, yet employment has failed to keep pace. Employment elasticity has weakened sharply. During the 1980s, every percentage point of GDP growth generated roughly half a percentage point increase in employment. Today the ratio is estimated at about 0.16, among the lowest for major emerging economies. Growth continues; jobs do not. This disconnect reflects India's growth strategy. Public policy has increasingly favoured capital-intensive industries through subsidies, tax incentives and investment support. Such sectors contribute to output and productivity but generate relatively fewer jobs. Agriculture continues to suffer from incomplete reforms and low productivity. Manufacturing has not expanded fast enough to absorb new workers, while artificial intelligence and automation are reducing opportunities in occupations once regarded as gateways to middle-class prosperity. India thus faces a paradox: it is producing more graduates while creating fewer opportunities to absorb them. The comparison with Asia is instructive. Vietnam and Bangladesh have pursued manufacturing-led growth that has generated substantially higher employment relative to economic expansion. Vietnam's employment-to-population ratio is estimated at nearly three-fourths, compared with about one-half in India. Vietnam has also moved into the upper-middle-income category, while India remains a lower-middle-income economy. These comparisons do not diminish India's achievements. They highlight the urgency of correcting structural weaknesses before they become politically destabilising. History demonstrates the risks of prolonged youth unemployment. The Arab Spring showed how educated but unemployed youth can transform political landscapes. More recently, political instability in Bangladesh and Nepal has reflected frustration among younger populations facing shrinking opportunities. India's democratic institutions are stronger, and its circumstances are different. Yet no democracy can indefinitely ignore the aspirations of its largest demographic group. The significance of Jantar Mantar lies here. India's Gen Z is organised, digitally connected and politically conscious. Social media transformed local grievances into a national movement within days, while traditional political parties largely responded after the sentiment had acquired independent momentum. The RSS intervention further complicated the government's challenge. Once protesting students found resonance within the ideological ecosystem closest to the ruling establishment, the issue ceased to be a partisan confrontation. It became an internal warning that India's youth expect credible institutions, transparent examinations and, above all, meaningful employment. The Centre's examination reforms are necessary but insufficient. Restoring the credibility of competitive examinations addresses only one symptom. The larger challenge is to redesign India's growth strategy around employment. Labour-intensive manufacturing, support for small and medium enterprises, investment in skills, higher-education reform and greater attention to employment outcomes must become central to economic planning. The Jantar Mantar agitation should not be remembered simply as the NEET protests. It marked a moment when India's youngest generation questioned the assumptions underlying the country's development model. Governments can manage protests and reform examinations. But unless economic growth translates into broad-based employment, similar movements will return. India's demographic dividend remains its greatest opportunity. It could equally become its greatest challenge. The warning has been delivered. The question is whether policymakers are prepared to listen.

Bombay Gymkhana chronicles 150 years of sporting heritage

Bombay Gymkhana President Sanjiv Saran Mehra with past president Khalid Ansari during the unveiling of Bombay Gymkhana’s Coffee Table Book The Journey So Far at the book launch.
Bombay Gymkhana President Sanjiv Saran Mehra with past president Khalid Ansari during the unveiling of Bombay Gymkhana’s Coffee Table Book The Journey So Far at the book launch.

Mumbai: Marking a monumental milestone in India's sporting history, the historic Bombay Gymkhana has unveiled a commemorative coffee table book titled "The Journey So Far." Launched at the club's Dining Hall, the 284-page publication chronicles the institution's remarkable 150-year legacy, celebrating its profound impact on the nation's athletic and cultural landscape since its inception in 1875.


With rich contributions from club members, the book weaves together rare archival photographs, historical records, and contemporary imagery. It offers a comprehensive visual journey across generations, showcasing the evolution of the club's facilities, teams, and distinguished sporting personalities.


​The publication captures defining moments that have inextricably linked the Gymkhana to the broader narrative of Indian sport. Prominently featured is the club's proud association with India’s first-ever home Test match, played against England in 1933.


Beyond cricket, the book sheds light on the club's foundational role in the development of Indian rugby since 1890, as well as its deep-rooted polo traditions. The sport of polo, marked by the establishment of the prestigious Bombay Gymkhana Polo Challenge Cup in 1882, has even experienced a celebrated revival at the club in recent years. Adding to these historical accolades, the Department of Posts recently released a commemorative postage stamp to formally honour the institution's 150th anniversary.


​For over a century and a half, the Bombay Gymkhana has evolved alongside the bustling metropolis of Mumbai while fiercely guarding its athletic traditions. Speaking at the unveiling, Club President Sanjiv Saran Mehra noted that the history of the Gymkhana is closely intertwined with the sporting history of the country. He emphasized that the book is an essential effort to preserve these memories while reminding members of their responsibility to inspire future generations.


​The launch event drew heartfelt tributes from Indian sports icons whose own legendary journeys have crossed paths with the Gymkhana. Former Indian cricket captain Sunil Gavaskar described his membership as one of his most cherished experiences, recalling happy hours spent playing both badminton and cricket on the premises. Paying homage to past legends like Nariman Jamshedji Contractor, Gavaskar noted that the new book perfectly captures the club's essence, stating that the institution is "always classy."


​Former international badminton player Uday Pawar also highlighted the global stature of the Gymkhana. Pawar reminded attendees that the club's courts have hosted former All England and World champions such as Wong Pen Soon, Erland Kops, and Rudy Hartono, cementing its status as the most iconic sports club in India. Adding to the praise, former India Hockey captain and Olympic gold medallist M. M. Somaya described the venue as a sportsman’s paradise, commending the management for successfully striking a delicate balance between deep-rooted tradition and modern sporting amenities.


​Ultimately, "The Journey So Far" serves as much more than a historical record. As Bombay Gymkhana turns the page on its first century and a half, the publication stands as a visual reflection of an institution that continuously adapts while safeguarding its core values, reaffirming a steadfast dedication to athletic excellence and community.Bombay Gymkhana Chronicles 150 Years of Sporting Heritage with Commemorative Book, 'The Journey So Far'


​MUMBAI — Marking a monumental milestone in India's sporting history, the historic Bombay Gymkhana has unveiled a commemorative coffee table book titled "The Journey So Far." Launched at the club's Dining Hall, the 284-page publication chronicles the institution's remarkable 150-year legacy, celebrating its profound impact on the nation's athletic and cultural landscape since its inception in 1875.


​Edited, designed, and printed by Spenta Multimedia Pvt. Ltd., with rich contributions from club members, the book weaves together rare archival photographs, historical records, and contemporary imagery. It offers a comprehensive visual journey across generations, showcasing the evolution of the club's facilities, teams, and distinguished sporting personalities.


​The publication captures defining moments that have inextricably linked the Gymkhana to the broader narrative of Indian sport. Prominently featured is the club's proud association with India’s first-ever home Test match, played against England in 1933. Beyond cricket, the book sheds light on the club's foundational role in the development of Indian rugby since 1890, as well as its deep-rooted polo traditions. The sport of polo, marked by the establishment of the prestigious Bombay Gymkhana Polo Challenge Cup in 1882, has even experienced a celebrated revival at the club in recent years. Adding to these historical accolades, the Department of Posts recently released a commemorative postage stamp to formally honour the institution's 150th anniversary.


​For over a century and a half, the Bombay Gymkhana has evolved alongside the bustling metropolis of Mumbai while fiercely guarding its athletic traditions. Speaking at the unveiling, Club President Sanjiv Saran Mehra noted that the history of the Gymkhana is closely intertwined with the sporting history of the country. He emphasized that the book is an essential effort to preserve these memories while reminding members of their responsibility to inspire future generations.


​The launch event drew heartfelt tributes from Indian sports icons whose own legendary journeys have crossed paths with the Gymkhana. Former Indian cricket captain Sunil Gavaskar described his membership as one of his most cherished experiences, recalling happy hours spent playing both badminton and cricket on the premises. Paying homage to past legends like Nariman Jamshedji Contractor, Gavaskar noted that the new book perfectly captures the club's essence, stating that the institution is "always classy."


​Former international badminton player Uday Pawar also highlighted the global stature of the Gymkhana. Pawar reminded attendees that the club's courts have hosted former All England and World champions such as Wong Pen Soon, Erland Kops, and Rudy Hartono, cementing its status as the most iconic sports club in India. Adding to the praise, former India Hockey captain and Olympic gold medallist M. M. Somaya described the venue as a sportsman’s paradise, commending the management for successfully striking a delicate balance between deep-rooted tradition and modern sporting amenities.


​Ultimately, "The Journey So Far" serves as much more than a historical record. As Bombay Gymkhana turns the page on its first century and a half, the publication stands as a visual reflection of an institution that continuously adapts while safeguarding its core values, reaffirming a steadfast dedication to athletic excellence and community.

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