matheikal - I just want to make a clarification: I included  myself as a potential oddity but you only  mention yourself (!);  perhaps I'm already an oddity? 

Dear Raj Arumugam,

Thanks for such a clear and detailed comment.  I’m aware of what’s happening in the Western schools thanks to the media.  Thanks also to my sister who is in Canada and a dear friend in Ireland.  The latter tells me that there’s no real teaching taking place in his children’s school.  There’s only what’s called ‘activity’ which amounts to the students doing whatever they feel like doing!  And that’s projected as the child’s expression of its potential.  Another way of nurturing narcissism!  Another way of creating little monsters.  (Sorry if I sound too harsh.)

You are again right in saying that people like me are going to be oddities in the coming days.  I have already foreseen that.  I have foreseen the hollowness that’s overpowering civilization.  I’m amazed by the speed at which the intellect is browbeaten to the background by the bestial side of man.

Not only students, Everyone is after instant fame and pleasure these days - this  shallowness and greed is what drives the economy at ever increasing rates. India is in the early stages of transition and you still hear some voices raising concern - but I am afraid such calls are too weak to counter this 'march of development'. Thanks for this thought provoking post.

-shajan

Matheikal - 
this trend you and your blog-visitors see in India, as you are very likely to know,  is full-blown in what we call the developed economies:  the media runs amock with consumerism and its twin shallowness of mind. And that's not just in reference to youth: it's everyone who can be perusuaded  into it. Remember the book some time ago: The Hidden Persuaders?
Ah, the mass media and the advertising industry are far more powerful in their powers of brainwashing than anything George Orwell could have imagined.
 
The other dynamic of this is the attention span and modus operandi of us all, it seems. With computers and the internet and reality TV, more of us are used to short attention spans; consequently all info has to be delivered quick, sharp and small. Sorry, guys, don't bother about developing yoru argument - we're not interested! 

Will this developed economy model or consequence dominate India's and China's masses soon?   Or will India's and China's unique cultures offer a more sensible and balanced variety?
I'd like to see what you have to report say in a decade - or do things happen faster now? Well, three years' time then. Perhaps in three years' time you, I and all your visitors (to this blog) may all very well be oddities in comparison with most people.

Hi, My daughter gets TOI Students Edition from her school Air Force Bal Bharti School. I find she takes lot of interest to read news papers. It is good.

A nation grows thrugh expenses. The growth of economy depends upon consumption. Somebody has to consume more to enhance GDP. I am not sure if it comes from children pockets but that is the way Indian economy will touch new high.

So, think over about your analysis direction and then take decisions to analyse Indian future? You may get many support but that is not future. It is more so confirming past which has become history.

kamekish

You are in the right place to asses the happenings in the educational institutions. It is an alarming situations for all concerned. But who can stem the rot?
A great read, matheikal.
But I see nolight at the end of the tunnel.
Best Wishes

Thanks Padmaja Balaji for your inspiring support.
ventesh , It's great to know that you as an individual are doing something about the situation.  I'll be going through your blog soon. 
DSampath , Thank you for your visit and valuable comment. 
dmrsekhar , I think India is indeed succumbing to that temptation you mention. 
Very happy to hear from you Sparsh-  A student's opinion on this post is very valuable to me.

You didn't disappoint me as usual. This article too is in-depth in its contents. And it is so sickening and sad to hear of the present state of affairs. 

Staying in Gulf, I had always worried that my son is deprived of the best things our country has to offer. At certain times I am glad that his innocence is still intact.  Of course, there are other issues that demand the attention of parents of this part. 

In one of the most publicised Media meet, Dr. kalam (when he was president) asked, "Whatever you do and say, what are you doing to aleviate the 100 Million people of India?" Noone including the likes of N. Ram (who were in the panel) could directly answer the question. 
Not to boast of myself or to use this platform to publicise my efforts, I have taken it upon myself to make a small difference to as many people as possible, by publishing a fortnightly called "The Seed" that is distributed free exclusively for the students of class XI to college graduates, here in chennai.
The so called GenX itself is capitalist campaign.When 'Aayaas' and 'Baby Sitters' have taken the place of grand parrents, mamas and chachas, what more can we expect.

Yes!! matheikal... well said!!
thnx for sharing all these with us!!!!