Brain drain: Right or wrong?

It is almost hard to separate the two faces of a coin; similarly, it's very tough to say whether brain drain is right or wrong. For the analysis of the same we the group of some teachers discussed this topic among ourselves in October 2015. Let us proceed with the definition of brain drain.

Definition

Brain drain is the departure of educated or professional people from one country, economic sector, or field for another usually for better pay or living conditions.

History of brain drain

It’s very essential to understand its history. Since independence brain drain was in practice not only to USA but also towards USSR. After economic liberalization in 90s it gained momentum as globalization become a real phenomenon all over the world. Workforce from India, China Japan, and Europe migrated en-mass for USA. As it can be mentioned main causes include, seeking employment or higher paying jobs, political instability, and to seek a better quality of life. Others include; Nepotism, Institutional Politics, Political reasons, Unavailability of opportunities in respective fields.

In this reference, it would be better to give some examples: Nobel Laureate Dr Hargobind Khorana who worked on Human Genome could not secure job in IISc Bengluru due to institutional politics. So at last, he went to USA. Similarly, few years ago due to ignorance of govt., a large Particle Accelerator Project (similar to Large Hydro Collider at CERN) in partnership with some foreign Institute could not be established in India. So today, person studying Particle Physics will surely like to go abroad. Even if that particle accelerator might have been built its experiment related to origin of universe would have been definitely opposed by religious elements because “ये हमारे धर्म के खिलाफ है.” Incident like murder of M M Kalburgi have definitely forced many literary figures to migrate to Foreign countries. We already know what is a scope for Research and Development work in our country. Concept of Free Lance, Self-employment and Non-conventional job is in primitive stage. A large portion of population still want to employ their children only employ as Doctor Engineer or in any govt. jobs.

However, in the fields in which job opportunities are present people are staying e.g. ISRO, which has made its name itself, are not composed of foreigners. IT industry of India provide many job opportunities. Due to large INDIAN DIASPORA in UK and USA image of country have changed from land of snake charmers to World's emerging power. PIO and NRIs have improved India's Image and it's stand at world stage. Many Indians are CEOs in top companies, politicians and beaurocrats in various govts. Many NRIs PIOs are now investing in India. Beside they also regularly send money back to India. Especially workforce in Gulf countries bring large amount of earned money back to INDIA. It proved now that those who work in other countries are benefiting their own country by re-investing and coming back and working with new knowledge and technology. Also during Recent World Economic Recession stability of MIXED INDIAN ECONOMY due to its protectionist policies a trend of Reverse Brain Drain have started.

As one member pointed out difference in availability of Doctors at Big cities and smaller areas, but Brain drain cannot be held solely responsible for that. Improper Distribution of resources and Economic Divide are major cause, which we call difference between "INDIA & भारत". India is largest producer of Doctor Engineers and medicines but their availability is policy related issue. As India is one of the largest producer of food but a large portion of population is suffering from malnutrition. One important point to remember is that Govt. cannot provide the employment for the large population of our Country. And it’s a sort of religious belief in our country for preferring GOVT JOB as we saw in recent PEON RECRUITMENT FIASCO in UP. Therefore, brain drain unintentionally in a way reduce employment burden on economy.

In this Era of Globalization, people from Leading Developing Countries are moving to Developed Countries and from Lagging Developing Countries to Leading Developing Countries for jobs and education. As we see many African students in BU Bhopal and large number of Nepali and Bangladeshi labours in India. As every individual strive to achieve better living conditions no one have right to criticize other for seeking betterment. Besides in the era when Concept Like World Governance, Reforming UNSC, Universal Approach to Environment Conservation, Human Development Index, Human Rights and Civil Liberties, Free Trade Open Market and World Economy, Millennium Development Goals etc. are trending issues like brain drain become questionable.

How brain drain is right: Many developing countries get most of their income. Developed countries also are benefited by getting cheaper skills and thus bringing down the operational cost and providing efficient facilities and service to poor.

On of friend said that we should not forget that the world is shrinking and becoming a global village. We should adopt a वशुधैव कुटुंबकम policy. Further, he added that the individuals are benefitted by getting three times more salary than his/her own country and thus he/she can keep his/her family and relatives happy. Its human tendency to go to the place where he/she is getting better pay and perks. There should be equal opportunity for earnings. A doctor in Delhi charges INR 1700 whereas the same doctor gets 1700 dollars in US. 65 times more money see the abnormality. Many US, UK people come to India for their medical treatment. India is getting its revenue from it.

How it is wrong: Brain drain is harmful for any country. Its effect on economy and social area of a country. Country lose a quality of skilled workers. Its true other country provide better salary scale but every country want that's type of people because they can help to development of country. Almost the top layer of student in many highest level of educational institution are the one to go out. Our country provide them with Best scholarship and they go away without helping our India. Brain drain can be described as the process in which a country loses its most educated and talented workers to other countries through migration. This trend is considered a problem, because the most highly skilled and competent individuals leave the country, and contribute their expertise to the economy of other countries. The country they leave can suffer economic hardships because those who remain don't have the 'know-how' to make a difference.

Brain drain can also be defined as the loss of the academic and technological labour force through the moving of human capital to more favourable geographic, economic, or professional environments. More often than not, the movement occurs from developing countries to developed countries or areas. There are various causes of brain drain, but they differ depending on the country that is experiencing it. The main causes include seeking employment or higher paying jobs, political instability, and to seek a better quality of life. Some other factors are the absence of research facilities, employment discrimination, economic underdevelopment, lack of freedom, and poor working conditions. Higher paying jobs and a better quality of life attract the people to its superior economic outlook, the prestige of foreign training, relatively stable political environment, and a modernized educational system to allow for superior training, intellectual freedom, and rich cultures. These lists are not complete. There may be other factors, some of which can be specific to countries or even to individuals. When brain drain is prevalent in a developing country, there may be some negative repercussions that can affect the economy. These effects include but are not limited to:
 * 1) Loss of tax revenue
 * 2) Loss of potential future entrepreneurs
 * 3) A shortage of important, skilled workers
 * 4) The exodus may lead to loss of confidence in the economy, which will cause persons to desire to leave rather than stay
 * 5) Loss of innovative ideas
 * 6) Loss of the country's investment in education
 * 7) The loss of critical health and education services

To add above in description of brain drain, its by-product of capitalising better opportunities by abled people. In addition, I would like to point that brain drain is bad for not just one country but in long run, it is also bad for country which constantly consuming talent from other country. The country constantly consuming talent from outside deprives its own people from jobs and create problem for it.

Solution of brain drain requires efforts from all three Parties involved in it. Country losing talent should create better and competitive opportunities to stop talent flow. Country consuming talent should keep check that they don't over consume and create problem for their own people. Talented people should be have more patience.

Just to conclude and sum up let me write again: It is almost hard to separate the two faces of a coin; similarly, it's very tough to say whether brain drain is right or wrong. It’s how the country and its people, take the brain drain, as a boon or as a curse...

(The above topic was suggested by Mr. Sanjay Kumar Pandagale, Asst. Professor in Education, RIE Bhopal and compiled by Mr. Anurudhha Kumar Tiwari, Senior Manager Security for Reliance at Mumbai.)