One of the private kannada channels telecasts a programme offering 1 minute fun-oriented games to people. Over the weekend, I happened to see one episode of it and small kids of age 5-6 years were made to take part in the tricyle race. Every kid that came to participate was asked what he wants to be in future and the answer invariably boiled down to be an Engineer or a Doctor. Realistically speaking, of the 10 kids or so who were asked the question,only one kid said, District collector. I appreciated him, not exactly for his (which could not necessarily be his) career choice , but for his ability to pronounce the words well!! Here comes the crux of the matter,one of the kids' answer was to be a doctor, which didn't surprise me a bit, but when asked what sort of a doctor (specialisation ,that is) he wants to be, he innocently said 'Engineer Doctor'!!! Laughing out loud was the impulsive response I gave,but a little later, I was so depressed to see what elders do to kids. It's so disheartening to see that kids' minds get engraved with career choices of parents even before the tender souls realise what the career they are supposed to like, supposed to mean!! Down with parents,who don't wait for the kids to understand and make their career choices! A kid is expected to accomplish dreams of his parents and like it too,not knowing if it exists,not knowing if suits his interests,ultimately so confused and pressurized!! In the case mentioned above, when it looked like his parents were confused and unable to come to a conclusion,one binding to engineering and another to medicine, how can a kid decide, if he is expected to? I don't mean that being an Engineer or Doctor is not good, but certainly not good if not done with own mind and interest.On the flip side, maybe, I thought for the lifestyle engineers adopt and multitude of health problems they complain of, a specialized 'Engineer Doctor' does make complete sense!! Kudos to the innovative kid,rather, his innovative parents for thinking way ahead of time!!
