Few days back, I was scrolling through my Instagram, and came across a video, in which a father was crying and requesting the staff to let his daughter give her NEET exam. They were not allowing her to sit inside, just because she was late for the exam. How much late? I do not have any idea aboout. Judging by the surrounding, it was not too late. It was a heartbreaking scene. He was literally begging them to allow here and crying the same time. His daughter, crying too, tried to console his father, but it was not helping him much. The point is: what if they had allowed her to sit in the exam? Playing by the rule books? This is the least thing, I expect from South Asian - especially pre-independence India - countries. No offense to any of these three countries, but we do not have rule of law. We only have rule of power, and it is the way of world throughout history.
A second chance for the system, but not for students?
Funny enough, while I was searching for the time difference. I found out that a "re-exam" was taking place. So, NEET is Pakistan's MBBS test. This is the reason, I say that other than few differences, we are the same. The hatred towards each other is mere artificial. However, it is not the topic of discussion right now.
The Bigger Picture
My question is: why do we still revolve around conventional means to earn? Like, in 2026, even a freelancer is earning quite a huge sum. Then, why only revlove around CSS/UPSC or NEET/MBBS. If it is your passion, then you are perfect fot it. But, if it is society's mindset which you want to satisfy, then you need to dive deeper. At the initial stage, the purpose of life is to survive. However, with the passage of time, this survival - thanks to the worldly expectations - turn into "to live" phenomenon. In this aspect, capitalist system and social media has played a huge role. So, by far, we know the root cause of this obsession.
No Value
Moreover, people of this region know that their identity card has no value at all. Until or unless, we are the big game - and bureaucracy is one of the big games in this corrupted society. In this society, if you do not have anyone to contact (sifarish) with, you are doomed. There is no help coming for you; there is no rule of law anymore. Your success, which is not basically yours rather society's, defines the importance you or anyone else possess.
Conformity
Conformity is the act of adjusting one's thoughts, feelings, or behaviors to align with the accepted standards, rules, or norms of a group or society.
Just think about it. Isn't it what we all are doing? We came into this world, without our personal choice (quite dramatic). We belong to a specific society, follow specific culture or religion, live the standards already given. Then come teenage phase, we start to start this world as "I". But, this I is already preserved and restricted in so many manners that this I just blindly follows WE. If you recall "3 Idiots", still a masterpiece for a reason. The whole concept revolves around this conformity agenda. One's father said to opt for engineering, while he does not even have any interest. The other one has to earn, for his family's sake. One is just living on "All is well" ideology. However, no one is jealous of him. Why? Because, to the normal world, he is considered the abnormal one.
"No shepherd and one herd! Everybody wants the same, everybody is the same: whoever feels different goes voluntarily into a madhouse." - Friedrich Nietzsche
A dead son over failed son
First, take this son as a person, not just a male being. In this contemporary world, the changing times has given quite a bit of gender equality. And, once again, thanks to the capitalist system and unlimited exxpectations. You have no right to rail. Better be dead than fail. This one thing is deeply fixed in every mind. One may deny it, but it is becoming (or has become) a naked truth.
The way forward
Let just not stay negative. So a bit of optimistic views, kind of delusional though, to keep the environment positive and kind.
WHY?
The first step is simple yet hardest. And it has been going on since Greek's era. Always ask yourself WHY? Just use tons of whys. Why do I want this degree? Why this career? Why this exam? Is it because I genuinely find meaning in it, or because everyone expects me to follow the same pathway. Most of us spend years preparing for an answer before ever questioning the question itself. Just because we are afraid of becoming I.
Scope
For the second step, I would suggest to understand the scope, not just the luxurious deluu behind it. Every profession has opportunities and limitations. A doctor, a bureaucrat, a freelancer; none of thme guarantee success merely because of their title. Success, on personal basis, depends on you. It depends on competence, consistence and urge to surpass everything. Before investing years of your life into one thing, that too blindly, judge it objectively. Forget about the family expectations, the race with some relative's child and fake social media applause for a moment. The same internet has opened doors that previous generations could never imagine. Conventional careers remain respectable, but they are no longer the only respectable option.
A government official takes salary for not working and takes black money for work.
Ironically, many young people - like me - chase competitive examinations believing they guarantee a life full of purpose, dignity and fame. Yet, in our societies, we witness the opposite. A government official may receive a salary for doing very little or nothing at all and then demand corrupt money simply to perform their job, for which they are already being paid. If public service becomes merely a symbol of fame and power instead of responsibility, then the obsession with clearing CSS, UPSC or similar examinations deserves serious questioning. Alas! This whole line looks like an idealistic belief. I also find it ironical, the term is public servie, and they do everything other than that.
In the end, no examination is larger than life itself. Failing one exam does not mean failing life. Just a bit of mind reshaping then it will be fine. Do not act upon society. Take failure not an end rather an expeirence. Society may define success through few occupations, but history consistently reminds us that meaningful lives have been built far beyond those societal definitions.
The real tragedy is not choosing a different path; it is spending decades climbing a ladder only to realize it was leaning against the wrong wall.
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Peace 🕊
