Chaitanya Iyer: New generation social warrior

One of the dispiriting features of the modern development model is that despite oceans of research and studies, there has not been a substantive transformative impact on under privileged communities.

- MOIN QAZI

“Give me 100 energetic young men and I shall transform India” — Swami Vivekananda

Much of the outcome has been purely academic and today we need more dedicated, courageous and purpose-driven champions who can creatively apply their competence and knowledge to enhance people’s well-being. Similarly, we need to design tools and techniques that can help translate these insights into effective public policies and professional practices that can sustainably deliver quality outcome.

A major cause for this skewed priority is the lopsided education system which deprioritizes the social sector. Most boys and girls in Higher Secondary Schools want to be either doctors or engineers. We need more talented young people in the field of development, asmost of India’s pressing problems are the result of a weak social sector, abysmal healthcare, wobbly education system, etc. Addressing the social sector challenges won’t be possible with “business-as-usual” attitudes; sowe need first-rate talents to engage with these challenges.