Few things I didn't know until I turned 25.

Intro:

This article definitely needs a little bit of my background and surroundings. Born in an agricultural family, Education is considered as the most important thing in life. My father sought out for the best schools in the state of Andhra Pradesh. Since, my family lived in a village, I stayed in accommodations provided by schools and colleges most of my life.

Till 10th grade:

In my community, Intelligence of the child is measured based on marks they get in 7th, 10th grade board exams. I pushed myself to study hard and got good marks in these exams. Right from 8th grade, we were taught higher level Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry (MPC). Schools train us for competitive exams that will be held after 12th grade to secure a seat in engineering colleges.

As far as I remember, in school I had a liking for Social Studies (especially History and Civics). My school is mostly interested in molding me as an engineer. They divide students based on the marks we score in MPC subjects and they make you feel getting promoted to a higher grade is an achievement. Being an above average student, I felt proud being in 3rd section from the top, counting there are 5-6 sections below my section.

In 12th grade:

Intermediate (11 & 12th grade) is made as do or die phase of life. You will be constantly bombarded with exams every week and will be punished severely if you don't score well in these exams. They will make you feel if you work hard these 2 years, you can be happy for life. All this is good, if you are passionate about being an engineer but what about those guys who are struggling to work hard and live up to these expectations. Parents feel their children being in top ranked intermediate colleges, a proud thing to boost about. But who cares about the child's interest and his struggles. I think even we as students don't know that we have a choice to say 'No' to these tortures.

At Engineering college:

Finally, if we don't score a good rank in competitive exams after 12th grade, Parents are willing to pay as much donations as possible to secure a seat in top engineering colleges in the country. Engineering college is a huge relief from the burdens I went through from childhood. Engineering college is also not so easy, as we have loads of subjects & exams and we need to force ourselves overnight to finish most of the stuff. But, one of the funniest thing about engineering colleges in India is students who are trained in electrical, mechanical, civil, chemical etc fields for 4 years, will finally land in IT jobs.

Masters in U.S:

Doing masters in foreign countries is a status symbol for most families I know. Many people who come to the US for masters come for luxurious life, following cousins, for money or going with the flow. Finally, after two more years much like bachelors, I landed up in a core job. It took some time and hard work to settle in the job and get comfortable with work and people around. After getting what I wanted, family wanted and society wanted, I look back and see what I have done for 25 years of my life. Mostly followed the life dictated by the schools, colleges and society for the sake of security in life.

Now:

In this journey, made lot of injuries physically and mentally, spread and lived with false assumptions about life. Luckily, all this happened for good. Any suffering that we go through becomes a blessing once we realize what had happened.

I was completely shocked and blown when I heard this (check the video) from a person named Jiddu Krishnamurti on YouTube which no one ever told me. Everyone said you need to get good job, earn money and achieve success, only then you will be happy and your family will be proud. But, Jiddu Krishnamurti said otherwise,

These are few things I wish I have known before 25:

1. Insane world: Yes, the world is insane. Everyone has their own agenda. We want to be rich, famous, powerful, successful and loved. We are always seeking one thing or the other. We are ready to do any corruption to achieve this. I see this in me, others and everywhere in the world. Thank god, I diagnosed this disease early in life.
2. Don't be corrupt: Corruption is not only giving money under the table, there is inward corruption we do daily. Wanting people to follow/love us, Trying to put ourselves first in everything, Laziness, Anger, Jealousy, Hating and Criticizing people on their back, Saying this is right and only this is right, Always seeking success, all these come under corruption. This demon of selfishness is in all of us. If we aren't watchful, we are going to suffer.
3. Find your own talent: Each one of you have some hidden talents such as to paint, to play violin or flute, to sing, to act, to write, to be a horticulturist, or to be a very good human being etc etc. But, society and parents wants us to become a Businessman, Engineer, or a Doctor so that we have security in life. In this becoming, we destroy our own talents. Jiddu Krishnamurti says,

What is important in life is to have your own talent, then you are happy with it. You have to discover your own talent and stick to that talent whether it makes you rich, poor, success or no success.

Anyways, no one will talk about happiness and living a life with total humbleness in schools or colleges. They just want us to compete and become successful and rich. We are so used to measuring success based on grades, money and popularity. Better late than never, at least now, I know what I need to do in life!

Disclaimer: The video and some of the ideas in this article are taken from the talks Jiddu Krishnamurti shared with students at the Rishi Valley School in 1984.