Substantial Loss when working age group is not involved in innovation, research yet busy in gaming , trading; that potential remained untapped
India’s burgeoning youth population — a demographic many hail as its greatest economic advantage — is increasingly being pulled in divergent directions. India is at least far from the population shrinking cities and have talent of producing great engineers, teachers, scientists etc. While the nation vies for a place among global innovation leaders, its young minds appear more absorbed in fantasy gaming apps than in research labs. As secure government jobs and fast-money pursuits like gaming and trading become more appealing, India risks stalling its scientific progress and innovation pipeline.
Country is lamented over the shift of youth's focus, particularly the rise of gaming culture over meaningful pursuits like science and education.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Arora wrote, “Dream11 has 25 Crore registered users, and grows @ 30% every year. And you are wondering why India is unable to reap its demographic advantage. Our youth aren't busy in research, science, education, welfare & innovation but in fantasy games.”
The post struck a nerve, drawing wide attention and agreement from users who echoed similar frustrations. This post reflects the current generation inclination affecting economic development and trashing the brains of working age group.
In an argument, gaming is recognised as a skill, yea true but even robbery and murdering also requires good skill. And if gaming is an Olympic event, then it can bring glory to the nation, can be elevated but it is just ruining the brains that can be used on some R&D projects and innovations.
Another user added, “25% are busy making Rs 49 after putting Rs 51. What a shame! Someone tell these illiterates that the app is designed as such that only bots can win real money in that until you are playing 1-1 battle. Max luck will make you win some Rs 10,000 that will be divided among 100 others and eventually you still get Rs 1,000.”
The sentiment echoed further, with one user declaring, “There will be no mediocrity in 10 years—either people will be smart or they will be very dumb.”
Drawing parallels between fantasy gaming and high-risk stock trading, in order to gain quick money people are doing trading and share market without realising that most of them don't even know it's a zero sum game and one's profit is someone's loss.”
Country is bewailing because youth are getting distracted easily. Instead of investing on themselves on education, reading, upskilling they look for things outside and not within themselves... 25 Crore registered users are working for Dream11 company by selling their dreams, time, etc and making Dream11 achieve their goals.”
With nearly 65% of its population under 35, India holds immense potential. Lagging behind other countries in science and technology. But without sufficient investment in education, skill development, and research infrastructure, that potential remains largely untapped. India doesn't own their own social media platform, our entire digitalization is dependent on Western nations companies platforms. When will be developing our own apps, softwares (search engines, social media, YouTube like platform, etc.), hardware (no Indian made mobile is enough competitive). All such things can't be accomplished unless our innovation, reasearch and education reforms can't be met with the requirements. The day is not far when western country in any case can block India's entire economic ecosystem just turning off their softwares. Just imagine if for few hours playstore ceases to function. Revealing the supremacy playstore can easily hides Indian apps whenever they want, can hide or manipulate India's image by trending anything against on their social platforms, which they already have done many times in past.
Greater challenges and lessons India must act on. Acknowledging the burden on budget under tax liberation, defence budget and offcourse reasearch budget. Yet such areas are paramount to deal with because without innovation already country is loosing to major extent.
Comments