Education Views | Insightful Perspectives and Analysis - Edinbox

The Chhattisgarh government's move to rationalise more than 10,000 government schools has evoked protests, anxiety, and deepening feelings of alienation among teachers from across the state. Teachers, who are part of the Chhattisgarh Sarva Shiksha Sajha Manch, have called for a state-wide protest from June 10, terming the decision "inconsistent" and "pro-privatisation". They have also declared that they will boycott the state-organised Shala Praveshotsav (school admission fair) on June 16, believing that the rationalisation campaign could prove to be more disastrous for the future of public education—particularly in the tribal and rural belts.

The BJP government led by Vishnu Deo Sai announced last month the rationalization of 10,463 schools with the aim to "balance" the pupil-teacher ratio between institutions. Under the plan, 10,297 schools running on the same campus will be reorganized or merged. In addition to that, 133 rural schools within a radius of one kilometre and 33 urban schools within 500 metres of each other will be merged as well.

On the face of it, the decision seems reasonable—most of the government schools do have either surplus or deficits of teaching staff. Chief Minister Sai justified the move, saying, "We are taking this step to eliminate the imbalance… It is in the best interest of students." He guaranteed that recruitment would not be hampered and that the goal was better management of resources.

But on the ground, education activists and teachers disagree. For them, this "streamlining" is a danger to wiping out schools from far-flung, marginalised areas—areas where education has a hard enough time taking hold. "This process encourages privatisation and dilutes government schooling, particularly in backward regions," said forum representative Virendra Dubey. He further mentioned that the teachers' forum is also seeking legal recourse to challenge the state's move.

Let's be transparent—this is not merely a logistical challenge. This is about access. In tribal and hilly parts of Chhattisgarh, even a 1 km or 2 km distance between schools can become a daily impediment for children, especially girls, to pursue their education. Schools are not mere buildings of bricks; they are safe places, known environments where children learn, grow, and sometimes get their only decent meal of the day.

Combing schools might save administrative expenses, but it might curb enrolment and raise dropout rates, particularly in districts where children trek to school barefoot through woods and farms. The apprehension is plain: if schools become mobile, students will not show up, and private entrants will swoop in. In the long term, this will manifest a dangerous drift towards privatisation, whereby only those who can pay will receive quality education.

This is why terms such as Chhattisgarh school rationalisation, rural education India, school merger protests 2025, and public vs private schooling are pivotal in today's education debate. Because this isn't merely a state issue—it's a nationwide warning sign.

Reform needs to arrive with empathy and grassroots consultation. Education is not an issue for a spreadsheet; it's a people issue. And the people—the teachers—are currently saying, "Listen to us."

The first salary, no matter how big or small, is special. It isn’t just money.It’s self-respect, capability, independence, and proof that you can now contribute to your home and society.

The notification "Your salary is credited" isn’t just about rupees in the bank. It’s about:

Paying your parents back in small ways.

Buying your own clothes or books.

Gaining confidence that you matter in the real world.

It’s your first step toward the professional world. And once you taste the value of hard-earned money, you’ll start visualizing the next steps — a promotion, a team to lead, a vision to implement.

Your Salary Doesn’t Define You – Your Growth Does!

While “Your salary is credited” feels good, remember -salary is a result. Growth is the goal.

In your 20s, focus more on:

Learning than earning, Skill-building than job-hopping, Mentorship over management

Choose roles and organizations that push you to grow, even if the money is modest initially.

Because one day, your growth will lead you to wealth -both in money and position.Money will come. Designations will come. But respect and influence come only with strong character.

Money Management for Beginners

As you start earning, learn to manage your money wisely. Many professionals earn a lot but save little.Your CEO journey requires financial intelligence as much as emotional intelligence.

Start an emergency fund

Learn basic investment – SIPs, mutual funds, fixed deposits

Don’t fall for lifestyle traps – flashy phones, weekend splurges

Help your family when needed, but build your future too

Understand taxes, benefits, insurances early.

Stay Humble, Stay Hungry-As you rise in your career, never forget your roots. Stay grounded. Help others rise too. Be the boss who once understood what being an intern felt like.Leadership is not about power, it’s about purpose. Be the kind of leader who inspires, not just instructs.

Set Goals – And Keep Upgrading

Without clear goals, dreams remain distant. Here’s how you can make your dream of becoming a high-earning professional or CEO more achievable:

From Learner to Leader: The CEO Journey

No one becomes a CEO overnight. It’s a path built with persistence, planning, and personality. Here's how a student can start walking that path early:

Start with Skills, Not Titles- Don’t just aim for the CEO chair — prepare for it. Focus on:

Communication skills

Problem-solving mindset

Decision-making ability

Leadership traits (teamwork, initiative, responsibility)

Financial understanding

Time management

Be Curious-Great leaders are great learners. Read business stories, explore what CEOs do, understand how companies grow. You’ll be surprised how curiosity today can become expertise tomorrow.

 Start Small, Think Big- Even if your first job is entry-level, treat it as a training ground. Observe, absorb, contribute. Show your hunger to learn and grow.

 “Every big company once started in a garage. Every great leader once started at the bottom.

Values Matter More Than Vacancies

If you want to be a great leader, not just a rich employee, build your values.

Integrity – Be honest in your work and relationships.

Empathy – Understand your team and your customers.

Resilience – Bounce back from failures.

Discipline – Keep showing up even when it’s hard.

Vision – Always know why you do what you do.

One Day, You’ll Say These Magical Words to Someone Else.One day, you’ll hire someone.

You’ll see a young student come in nervous, hopeful, hardworking.

And you’ll credit their salary. You’ll say, “Welcome to the team.”

And maybe, just maybe, you’ll remember this article - and smile. Because you’ll have come full circle.

Write Your Own Success Story-“You are not born a CEO. You become one.”

Your journey from hearing “Your salary is credited” to saying “Let’s build something big” is not a fairytale. It’s a real, achievable path filled with hard work, choices, courage, and vision.

Students ! Your career is not just about a paycheck. It’s about building a life that is fulfilling, meaningful, and influential.

Start today. Dream big. Work smart. Stay kind.

Because one day, you won’t just wait for the salary notification.You’ll wait to make a difference.

A chartered accountant recently made waves on social media with a headline-grabbing post on money management and long-term wealth generation. CA Nitin Kaushik, who has made a name for himself in the domain of personal finance, took to platform X to demystify the age-old philosophy of spending what is left after saving—instead of saving what is left after spending. He based this insight on the wisdom of master investor Warren Buffett, and he reminded individuals that accumulating wealth is not just about numbers—it's about living life in freedom, choice, and security.

Kaushik emphasized that every rupee invested becomes a tireless worker, one that operates around the clock without asking for breaks, benefits, or promotions. When money is strategically invested, it forms an invisible but powerful force that continues to grow, forming the foundation for lasting financial independence.

Harnessing the Power of Time and Compounding

To illustrate how money can multiply with consistency and patience, Kaushik provided a striking example. An investment of Rs 10,000 every month at an 8% rate of return would grow into Rs 18.29 lakh in ten years, Rs 59.31 lakh in twenty years, and a whopping Rs 1.5 crore in thirty years. This power of compounding has nothing to do with following high returns but having time as a strong ally. Consistency is the actual driver—making consistent contributions over a period of time.

Simple Steps to Begin Building Wealth

Kaushik presented a line of practical advice to those who are embarking on their financial journey. To start off: start as soon as possible, no matter how little money one has. Even ₹1,000 per month can accumulate into a significant amount when provided with time. The sooner one starts, the more power compounding will have.

He also urged emphasis on assets that appreciate in value and pay out income—such as equities for wealth appreciation, real estate for rental income, mutual funds for diversified risk investments, and even business enterprises that yield compounding returns through reinvested earnings.

Another habit he supported was the reinvestment of dividends. Rather than spend the dividend, leaving them invested allows compounding to gain momentum, converting lowly savings to considerable wealth over the years.

Steering Away from Financial Traps

Steering away from unproductive debt is also crucial. Kaushik suggested avoiding debts like credit card expenses or loans for luxury goods and instead employing useful debt like home or business loans to buy appreciating assets. Lastly, he told his audience that growing riches is not about rushing but doing persistent, patient work over decades.

About Nitin Kaushik

As per his LinkedIn profile, Nitin Kaushik is a commerce graduate from Delhi University and a chartered accountant. His suggestions aren't just based on theoretical knowledge but also due to years of experience in finance, with the intent to guide others to become financially independent through wise investments.

If someone had told my parents ten years ago that one day, people would stop watching TV and instead watch full movies and shows on their phones, they’d have laughed. I mean, growing up, watching TV was a full family activity. My mom had her daily soaps, dad would switch to news or cricket the second he got the remote, and I had to fight for cartoon time on Pogo, Disney or Hungama. That was the schedule. Simple, fixed, and very much dependent on the remote. But now? Things have changed so much. Thanks to OTT platforms.

 OTT stands for "Over The Top" platforms. It basically means streaming services that deliver content over the internet. So stuff like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+ Hotstar, JioCinema, Zee5, SonyLIV, even YouTube, to an extent are all part of the OTT world. And these platforms have totally changed the way we watch, what we watch, and when we watch.

 We are the one to decide what,where,when to watch. We’re no longer tied to a TV set or fixed timings. We watch shows while traveling, lying in bed, eating , even while pretending to study. Honestly, OTT has completely changed how we, especially the youth, engage with content. Let me try and break down how these platforms are changing viewership in India.

From “What’s on TV?” to “What do I feel like watching?”

Earlier, TV controlled our choices. There were fixed shows at fixed times. If you missed your show, tough luck. Now, it’s the other way around. We’re in charge. We can watch what we want, when we want, how we want. Want to pause for a snack? Sure. Want to skip the intro because you’ve heard it 50 times already? Go ahead. Want to rewatch a scene because your favorite actor looked too good in it? No one’s stopping you, want an outfit inspiration -screenshot.

This level of flexibility is what makes OTT so addictive. It's entertainment on your terms. And humans love freedom.

The Binge-Watch trail-Let’s admit it,we have all said “One more episode” and then ended up watching the whole season. That’s binge-watching. OTT platforms encourage it by dropping entire seasons at once. Whether it’s Mirzapur, Kota Factory, Money Heist, or Stranger Things, once you’re hooked, it’s game over.This is a major shift. Earlier, you would watch one episode per week. Now, we finish shows in one night and then suffer the next day because of it. (Been there, done that.) But the emotional connection is deeper when you watch it all in one go. You get attached. You live in that world for hours.

Content in Every Language- This is one of the coolest changes. TV mostly gave us Hindi and a few regional channels. But OTT platforms offer the same shows and movies in every language,Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Marathi, Bengali, Kannada, Punjabi..everything. With subtitles and dubbing, there’s no language barrier.

 I never thought people would watch Malayalam movies, but thanks to subtitles, people have seen amazing films like Kumbalangi Nights, Jana Gana Mana, and now they actively search for regional gems. It’s not just about understanding,it's about discovering different cultures and storytelling styles from across India.

 The Fandom Culture- Another cool thing OTT has sparked? Fandoms. Yup. People now form entire online communities around their favorite shows. There are Reddit threads, Instagram meme pages, fan fiction, edits, and even Discord servers.

 I remember when Aspirants came out, my whole feed was filled with Sandeep bhaiya quotes. “UPSC sirf exam nahi hai, yeh ek bhavna hai”,and It struck a chord with countless UPSC aspirants, Same for Scam 1992. Harshad Mehta fans were everywhere, using "Risk hai toh ishq hai" like a mantra.

 OTT shows are no longer just content,they become culture. They give you shaped references, jokes, and emotions that connect strangers online. And that’s actually kinda beautiful?

New Stars, New Talent- OTT has given us so many fresh faces who might never have made it in Bollywood. Like Jitendra Kumar (Kota Factory, Panchayat), Shefali Shah (Delhi Crime), Pratik Gandhi (Scam 1992), and so many others. It’s not about looks or fame now,it’s about acting. You can be dark-skinned, chubby, queer, or even unknown, but if you’re good,OTT will not discriminate,it will give you a stage.

 Everyone Watches Something Different Now- There’s no “one-size-fits-all” anymore. TV used to be about joint viewing,everyone in the family watching the same thing. Now, we all watch different stuff. Like you, if you watch rom-coms, your  best friend might watch Korean dramas, your  dad might be  into historical documentaries, and your cousin might be obsessed with anime. OTT has something for everyone.

 Even niche interests are represented,such as food shows, true crime, stand-up comedy, horror, teenage drama, period romance, spirituality-you name it. You get to explore genres that TV never even touched.

Bold Stories, Real Characters-OTT has given creators the freedom to tell real, raw, and sometimes risky stories. TV had too many restrictions,no cuss words, no bold topics, and everything had to be “family-friendly.” But OTT content is different. It explores LGBTQ+ issues (Made in Heaven), mental health (Delhi Crime), caste, corruption, and even dark human emotions (Paatal Lok, Gehraiyaan).

 Characters are flawed. Stories don’t always have happy endings. And honestly, that’s more realistic. Life isn’t always perfect, so why should stories be?

Rise of the Web Series-Earlier, Indian shows ran for hundreds of episodes (and sometimes made zero sense). OTT brought in tight, meaningful web series,usually 6–12 episodes per season. That’s enough to develop a story without dragging it.

 Shows like Panchayat, The Family Man, Aspirants, and Gullak prove that you don’t need drama queens and villains to tell a good story. You need real emotion, a solid script, and characters that feel like people you know.Relatability wins hearts.

 Ad-Free Experience (Mostly)-One of the best things? Fewer ads. Or in premium subscriptions, no ads at all. After suffering through never-ending Fair & Lovely ads on TV, this feels like a blessing.

 Even free platforms like MX Player or YouTube manage ads better than TV ever did. It’s less disruptive and keeps the flow of the story intact.

 Smartphones - New TV Sets-OTT wouldn’t have grown so much without smartphones. Honestly, my phone is my personal TV. I watch stuff on the bus, while waiting in line, or curled up in bed under a blanket. Thanks to cheap data in India, people even in small towns and rural areas are streaming content.

 This has democratized entertainment. You don’t need a big house or a fancy setup,just a phone and internet. That’s powerful.

 Affordable and Accessible-Subscriptions are now affordable. Platforms like Hotstar offer yearly plans under ₹500. Amazon Prime has student discounts. Some platforms are even free. And yes, people  share passwords. Netflix might hate it, but it’s the truth.

 This accessibility has made OTT more popular than cable TV, especially for the younger generation.

 OTT’s is the Pandemic birth -Let’s not forget how the pandemic changed everything. Theatres shut down, and OTT became the only entertainment option. Films like Shershaah, Ludo, Gulabo Sitabo, and Jai Bhim released online,and they got huge audiences.

 OTT proved that you don’t need a cinema hall to make an impact. And after that, even big stars started treating OTT as a serious platform.Abhishek Bacchan,Manoj Bajpayee,Pankaj Tripathi,Neena Gupta and many more

Shorter Attention Spans with Snackable Content-Let’s face it,our attention spans are shorter than ever. Reels, TikToks, Shorts… we’re used to content that entertains us in under 30 seconds. OTT platforms have picked up on that. Apart from long shows and movies, now there are mini-series and quick 10–15 minute episodes Adulting, Engineering Girls, Little Things started that trend.

 Even episodes in regular shows are getting tighter. No unnecessary dragging. Just straight to the point, which suits today’s impatient viewer who’s juggling a million tabs,literally and mentally.

OTT is not just a trend. It’s a revolution. It has changed how India watches content. It’s more inclusive, flexible, and real. It’s giving voices to new stories and new people. It’s breaking language barriers, shaking up Bollywood, and redefining what success looks like.

As someone who grew up with both TV and OTT, I can see the difference. And I genuinely believe that we’re living through one of the biggest cultural shifts in entertainment history.

These platforms aren’t just changing how we watch, they're shaping who we are as audiences. We’re more curious, more critical, and more connected than ever. With every scroll, skip, or stream, we’re creating a new culture of viewership ,one that’s digital, diverse, and here to stay. OTT is more than just a way to pass time,it’s become part of our lifestyle. Whether you’re crying over a breakup in a show, laughing at a roast, or watching a documentary to learn something new,it’s shaping the way we think, feel, and connect.

 So, binge with the content that you like to watch anytime anywhere with your butterpopcorn and icy-cola!

For the first time in years, Mumbai’s civic education system seems to be starting the academic year on the right note. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has promised that 3.5 lakh students in civic-run schools will receive their full educational kits on the first day of school, June 16. That’s not just a logistical update—it’s a significant shift in narrative for public school students often left behind by broken promises and bureaucratic delays.

Earlier, these kits  used to reach so late that either the students went without them or missed the benefit of some of them altogether. Mid-semester was the time when textbooks used to reach. Raincoats used to reach after the monsoon season. Some used to wait so long that the academic year used to be half through before they got a decent school bag.

This year, the BMC appears to have heard. After years of complaints by parents, teachers, and erstwhile corporators regarding shoddy planning and poor materials, officials are ensuring that they do it right this time. And they should be applauded. Not for improved tendering procedures or logistics—but for recognizing that dignity starts with preparation.

What could be a simple kit is, to so many children, a message that they count. A fresh uniform and functional shoes can give a child the confidence to step into a classroom. A good school bag can mean protection of books and aspirations as well.

In a welcome step towards digital inclusivity, students in grades 8-10 will be provided with tablets, assisting them in overcoming the technological gap and conforming to contemporary learning patterns. With the support of teachers during school hours, it's a positive step towards curbing digital disparity.

The BMC needs to see that this momentum doesn't die down. Prompt, respectful care to all students should not be headline news—it should be the norm. But today, we have to admit that for 3.5 lakh kids, June 16 could well come across as an actual first day of school.

Let's continue to make it so.

Siddharth Shankar, Tails Group's £6.7 billion turnover serial entrepreneur and recent nine-figure exit, has criticized the increasing popularity of "practical MBA" programs as a trend-based movement with little applicability in the real world. In an interview with the Karostartup podcast, Shankar cautioned young business professionals and would-be entrepreneurs to subject the expanding boot camp, accelerator, and experiential course ecosystem to critical scrutiny.

"Everybody's hopping on this bandwagon of functional MBAs," Shankar said. "But where is the true value in the corporate world?" Shankar, who founded his startup career after MBA in 2017, attributes his conventional academic background for giving him strategic thinking, financial knowledge, and worldwide business exposure that enabled him to create a 285-brand portfolio reaching over 150,000 worldwide customers.

Countering the promotional-laden hype of short-term, experiential business programs, he said, "The numbers will catch up. These programs sound good but do not often create the depth of analysis required for lasting business success."

He emphasized that although experiential learning has its value, it cannot supplant traditional business education. "Intellect and practical application must be married with theoretical knowledge. That's the winning combination," he said.

Shankar's comments arrive at a time when India's entrepreneurial environment is more and more embracing fast-tracked entrepreneurial programs, usually at the cost of conventional academia. His experience acts as a counterpoint, reasserting the long-term worth of formal business education.

Currently the Global COO of Komerz, Shankar still invests in startups and guides young entrepreneurs. His experience serves as a timely reminder to students and education policymakers alike: as the competition for innovation heats up, academic quality must not be sacrificed.