“Nahi ho raha mujhse, nahi karni IIT”
- Akash
In the world of Laakhon Mein Ek, an Amazon Prime Original, is set at a coaching institute named Genius Infinity which is not less then a horror story. At the beginning of the show, we see Aakash's parents compel him into joining Genius Infinity, even though he himself is convinced that he has no aptitude for science. Despite his low marks in the Class X board examinations, Aakash's parents are convinced that hard work and sheer will are enough to close the gap, to overcome the odds but couldn't convince Aakash's heart who wanted to become an internet sensation. Eventually, he was forced to do IIT and settle in Genius Academy. Just like many parents, Aakash's parents, the Guptas are drawn towards the myth that only IIT is career and is one of the respected career options. Mr Gupta has a strong belief that power of hard work and sincerity can make his son a topper and even when his son is being bullied for scoring 55% in class 10 board exams in his classes does not changes his mind.
The two things which revolved around the show was
- Privilege
- The tyranny of Indian hivemind
Privilege. Laakhon mein ek has been created by Biswa Kalyan Rath, a stand up comedian who went to an IIT himself. In a recent interview, Rath said that one of the starting points of the show was his experience playing school-level sports: specifically, being expected to compete with moneyed CBSE schools while attending a government-run school which had practically no sports equipment, no ground, and no signs of ever improving.
This experience has definitely informed the Section A/Section D dynamic in Laakhon Mein Ek. When Aakash contemplates cheating in order to move from Section D to Section A as the section D had no proper rooms or good food to eat. Infact, when Aakash made it to Section A, we are told that nobody has managed this ever, in all the years that Genius Infinity has seen. Section A students have better teachers, better rooms and better food. They were given this privilege as they had achieved higher grades in 10 boards and more importantly when you notice that all the great facilities given to Section A are being paid by the Section D parents, you realise what is going on. We learn that Chandu, the nerdiest, most annoying member of Section A, belongs to an unspecified lower caste, which he admits while being questioned by Bakri, a well-off Brahmin who is not concerned about his grades or IIT. Just like that, we see that Chandu is humiliated for it by his classmates, because of the caste privileges. At one point, Aakash feels so pressured and stressed that he decided to take his own life but Bakri save hims. Aakash opens up to Bakri says that I can't do it anymore, I don't want to do this! Moreover when he questions his father on a college his father replies to him that I made a huge mistake sending you away from me and now I will take admission in a nearby college for IIT and if you don't like it then leave this home. Eventually, he left his home feeling neglected and hoping to do something he wants to do.
The Tyranny of Indian hivemind.
The bulletins show us the number of students who have scored the top 3 ranks which blindfolds us. What they really don’t show us is how many students who have ended their lives just because they could not score enough to join college. Infact, there are many reports of teens who end their lives just before they could see their results. The reason, what if I do not score the marks required? It can be narrowed down to the expectations of families, competition and what will one do in future if they score less. Is it because of the fear of facing parents who have set high expectations for their kids or is the fear of what the society will label their kids if they do not score the required marks?
The results and the Indian society have always been on a tug since one could recollect and this society tends to overlook the notion of setting high standards for our kids that they have been enduring. Parents tend to miss out the said reality that they have been burdening their kids with. Obsession with IIT for parents is always high and parents cannot bear to look at their child if they decide to opt for a different career or even if their kids get low marks. Well, the first step in breaking this chain is to change the perception of exams as such and change the perception of boards and when this happens, all other parts shall heal one by one. We do not want to lose another kid!
After all, life is not a race! Life is meant to be enjoyed and loved.
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