A Primitive tendency of Indian society- Exceptionally high Conformity

I have always been amazed at the many primitive tendencies prevailing in the indian society. One very absurd primitive tendency is the exceptional level of conformity. In western societies, the word " conformity " usually means "following the trend" in such inconsequential areas like fashion, music and movie preference. But in North India, exceptionally high levels of conformity are seen even in areas of grave importance , like career selection.

When I was in Std. 12th, I was left amazed at the level of mindless conformity among my classmates on the issue of career selection. All my classmates ( science students ) wanted to become either an engineer or a doctor. As if nothing else exists in the universe. India might be requiring talent and manpower in basic sciences,journalism, and countless other fields but sorry, these are not in fashion. Every Tom, Dick , and Harry with no exception wanted to go for either of these two careers; individual tastes, capabilities and interests be damned. A few females talked of a career in fashion designing and some males thought of a career in defence forces, but thats it. I wondered why India is called the " land of diversity " when everyone wants to do the same thing !!

Whats more, I learn that most of the engineering students just want to enter one field : Computer software. Again , as if engineering skills are not required anywhere else in this country. This rat-race is regardless of the specialistion of the student. When asked why , such people say " there is lot of scope and people get " good pay packages " in IT " --- This , I must say, is an extreme example of mindless conformity - how conveniently they have have forgotten that india's software industry is basically an offshoring/outsourcing industry, and hence , is bound to have an uncertain future -- in contrast to other industries, which cater to domestic demand and hence are likely to be more stable in the future.

Back to my own story - very few students in my undergraduate chemistry class wanted to take up careers in the subject of their study, and most of those who chose to do so , did out of compulsion rather than choice. Most general graduates , who are career minded, say that they want to go for management careers. Again as if , the country only requires MBAs ,and again, failing to realise that the high pay packages of MBAs come at the cost of peace of mind- in a capitalist economy , there are bound to be recessionary phases, with layoffs and "workforce reduction" . Teaching and administrative jobs may not give the fat pay packages of management, but they do give the person peace of mind and stability.

Whats more, there is a regional aspect to this phenomenon of conformity in career selection - Most students from Bihar and adjoining areas want to enter the civil services and even boast of the " high number of Biharis in the IAS " -- I am amazed at this level of conformity and collectivism. As if a person's individual interests, capablities and talents are of no importance and all that matters is what others of his ethnic/social/economic background are doing. The socioeconomic status of the student is also important, with most belonging to middle and upper class families preferring engineering, management careers while those in the economically weaker section preferring IAS and administrative vocations.

....And I thought, careers should be decided on the basis of an individual's personality, interests , intelligence and talents . What a fool , I am.