On the other hand, a student attempted the exam again because they were not happy scoring 99.9% in the exam.

These two instances lay bare the irony of the Indian Education system, which has for long emphasised marks as a measure of success. From a young age, students are taught that their worth is determined by their ability to perform well academically and score high marks on exams. This focus on marks has become so ingrained in the lives of students that it has inevitably become what success is in the Indian education system.

For many young people, the pressure to perform well academically can be overwhelming. They are constantly reminded of the importance of marks and the consequences of not achieving high scores. Parents, teachers, and peers place a great deal of emphasis on academic success, leading to young people believing that their worth as individuals is determined by their academic achievements. 

How does this impact the young person?

A culture of intense competition is created where young people feel that they must outperform their peers in order to succeed. This focus on marks also limits educational choices, as young people may feel pressured to pursue careers in fields that are considered prestigious or financially lucrative, rather than following their true passions and interests.

Moreover, high marks equate to success and this continues to be the narrative as the young person grows up. It is viewed as a measure of intelligence and potential, and students who score high marks are often seen as more desirable candidates for higher education and employment. If a student scores low marks, they consider themselves to be a failure. This flawed narrative is ingrained in the education ecosystem year after year which ends up creating a sense of hopelessness and discouragement, and can even lead to mental health issues such as anxiety and depression. This begs the question, do we really want to assess the value of a young person based on the marks they score?

Where do we go from here?

There is a need to recognise that marks alone do not necessarily equate to success. The fact that narrow definitions of success are not helping young people can in many ways pave for the beginning of a new exploration to redefine success in the education ecosystem. The education ecosystem needs to equip the young person to thrive in a world of uncertainties and not just resemble a machine out of a factory. By broadening our definition of success and promoting a more holistic approach to education, we can help students develop their full potential and prepare them for a lifetime of fulfilment and happiness. 

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Richard’s father worked as a painter before entering the Real Estate business. Family income depended on the clients he secured every month. His mother is a homemaker and his younger sister, not keeping well, dropped out of college. 

Feeling lost and unsure of what to do in life, he enrolled for a Bachelor of Computer Applications (BCA) course in S E A College, K R Puram, Bangalore. In 2017, some of his friends, who were attending the like skills programme at Dream a Dream’s Thriving Centre in K.R.Puram, pulled Richard along. While attending his first session there, he felt different, he felt that he could learn. He grabbed the opportunity to learn Photoshop and photography here.  

“I was drawn to Photography and the life stories shared by my photography facilitator inspired me. It gave me the courage to take my hobby to the next level. I started exploring myself and began questioning my purpose. I joined this programme believing that I didn’t have any talent or skill but during the programme, I developed the confidence to take the bold step of making photography my career. After completing my BCA, I bought my first DSLR camera by selling my bike. I was determined. My family and friends called me crazy and put me down multiple times, saying that even though I am a graduate, I was pursuing something other than my studies. I didn’t listen to them as I believed I could excel in photography. In it, I found my calling.”

Richard did not let society define success for him even when it was hard to convince people closest to him. Choosing not to walk the traditional path of a BCA graduate, securing a white collar job in a corporate company, he redefined success for himself. This did not mean that his dream was small. He dreamt of opening his own photo studio. 

Dreaming with eyes wide open, he returned to Dream a Dream, to learn the ropes of entrepreneurship through a programme run at the Thriving Centre, K.R.Puram. Even though Richard was a technically skilled photographer, he did not know how to convert this passion into a business venture. 

“I did not want to work under anyone. I had all the technical knowledge to be a photographer but didn’t know how to build my network and secure clients for my business.”

This programme helped him understand the business side of photography, helping him build his client base. He also received a scholarship to start his own studio.

While pursuing the Entrepreneurship course, he also decided to give back to society by facilitating a free photography course for young people in the Thriving Centre in K R Puram, Bangalore, India. Richard has facilitated 11 batches of Photography for more than 200 young people. 

“Over 4 years, Dream a Dream helped me discover my career path and transformed me into a confident and enterprising person. It was time to give back.” 

Richard Roy, at the young age of 21, established his own photography studio and specialises in fashion and event photography, earning handsomely per photo-shoot. Recently he represented Dream a Dream at the “Finding Solution to the Problem” conference organised by UNICEF. Here, he got an opportunity to talk to Ms. Smriti Irani, Minister of Women and Child Welfare about Dream a Dream’s work  and how he was impacted by its programmes. 

On a thriving journey, which has only just begun, Richard is a force to reckon with. Unstoppable, determined and fiercely ambitious, he has inspired many young people to pursue their passion and to learn continuously, even when the road to thriving is tough and elusive. 

“Success is not just achieving something, but being an inspiration to others and seeing them succeed in life.”

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