2020 was a year of tremendous uncertainties for people all over the world. In a survey by the Global Wealth Migration Review, it was found that roughly 5,000 Indian millionaires migrated overseas in the year 2020. Nearly 2% of individuals residing in India who had high income decided to remain abroad rather than stay in their home country.

What exactly does brain drain mean?

This expression was first used in the 1960s to describe the loss of skilled labourers from poor countries like India to richer countries. It refers to the migration of highly talented professionals such as engineers, physicians, IT specialists to another country in search of better opportunities. According to a World Bank study, roughly 3% of the global population lives in a place other than their native country. One out of every three migrants in the globe arrives in Europe. These numbers indicate a significant advantage for the 'hosting nation,' which benefits from the skilled labour force. However, the same cannot be said for the 'home nation,' which, in addition to losing its pool of skilled workers, is left to deal with serious economic challenges. These professionals often leave their native homeland having finished their education at the expense of their home country’s government which accounts for a loss of the country’s human capital.

What are the reasons behind brain drain in India?

The increasing rate of unemployment is undoubtedly one of the key factors responsible for distrust amongst the highly skilled workers in the country. As per the Center for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE), the unemployment rate increased from 7.0% in the month of June to 7.9% by December. While unemployment is a problem, it is also vital to consider the additional challenges that come with employed professionals. Many employed professionals are dissatisfied with their jobs because they are either overqualified for their positions or do not see any future growth in their job profiles. There is a dearth of opportunities to showcase their caliber and grow. Also, the pay in a currency which is powerful is equally attractive along with the smooth work culture that prevails abroad.

 What are some of the advantages and disadvantages of brain drain?

One may argue that the likes of Sundar Pichai and Parag Agarwal are establishing India as a brand globally. According to 2015 statistics, India accounts for one-third of all engineers in Silicon Valley and 10% of the world's high-tech business CEOs. Others believe that it is a significant loss of human capital for a country like India since it equates to a massive human capital loss. It is viable that at this point India preserves its human capital. Rather than blaming the government, education system, or administration for this scenario, it is best to accept responsibility and change the system to prevent future human resource losses.

How can the problem of brain drain in India be tackled?

Changes at the grassroots level can prove advantageous to the youth and can make a significant difference in the rural healthcare and agriculture sectors. A lot can be achieved in terms of marketing artefacts manufactured by local people; this will provide them with means of livelihood and might be extremely beneficial to women's empowerment. Skilled workers can be deployed to educate the rural people who lack technical knowledge and resources.

To begin with, a better work culture can aid in improving the problem. In today's world, where everyone is struggling to create a work-life balance, it's critical to provide employees with a break in the form of a well-deserved vacation. Of course, this assumes that people have jobs, to begin with. Indian companies can come forward and invest in talented individuals based on their academic merits and skill sets. This will boost the morale of young individuals by employment with earnings that are commensurate with their abilities.

How can EdTech help prevent brain drain?

EdTech companies in India have proved to be extremely beneficial in preventing brain drain on a national level when the entire country was shut down due to Covid. This is regarded as the rural brain drain where migrants from rural areas move towards cities in the hope of better educational opportunities. With the help of online education, many students were able to continue their studies while the schools were shut off. Also, the students were able to appear for the examination despite partial lockdown in many cities owing to the technology. They could prepare for these examinations and utilize their spare time by acquiring new skills. On a macro level, this framework could prove to be equally beneficial when it comes to preventing the national brain drain problem. Students will not want to go overseas to receive an education and contribute to their GDP if they can get all they need for a low-cost and high-quality education in the comfort of their own homes. Instead, kids might remain at home and get the required skills to be marketable.

Students can select their interests and work according to their own preferences thanks to the numerous chances available online. KidsChaupal is a learning platform for children that aims to help them transform and shape their careers. We are committed to making quality education accessible to all kids who seek an opportunity to grow from scratch and become masters of their respective fields. Learning is a constant process that should never end; we allow students to develop new skills and thrive in disciplines other than schooling.  We believe that children learn best through experience, the majority of our courses are centered on practical application, allowing children to learn not only in theory but also in practice.