Education Views | Insightful Perspectives and Analysis - Edinbox

Parenting is a deeply personal journey, shaped by culture, environment, and personal values. For Kristen Fischer, an American mother of three, that journey has led her to India—a country she now calls home. Having moved with her family in 2021, Fischer believes that raising her children in India offers them a richer, more fulfilling upbringing than they would have had in the United States.

Her perspective, shared in a now-viral Instagram video, has sparked widespread conversation. With her child walking along an Indian street in the background, Fischer detailed why she believes India provides a better environment for her children’s development. Her reasons, outlined in her post, offer a thought-provoking take on cross-cultural parenting.

A Childhood Rooted in Diversity and Resilience

Fischer emphasizes the cultural depth and diversity that India offers. Unlike the relatively homogenous cultural landscape of many American suburbs, she believes India’s multilingual, multiethnic society will give her children a more profound understanding of different traditions, languages, and worldviews.

"Living in India will expose my children to a rich diversity of cultures, languages, and customs," she wrote. "This aids them in gaining a deep understanding and appreciation of other cultures, promoting open-mindedness and adaptability."

Language, too, plays a key role in her decision. In a multilingual country like India, Fischer’s children have the opportunity to learn Hindi and other regional languages, in addition to English. She believes this will not only enhance their cognitive abilities but also open doors for their future.

Beyond language and culture, Fischer sees India as a place where her children will develop a broader worldview. Being surrounded by diverse economic and social conditions, they will gain a heightened sense of global awareness—something she feels they might not have been exposed to in the U.S.

Building Emotional Intelligence and Stronger Family Bonds

Another factor influencing Fischer’s decision is the strong emphasis on family in Indian society. Unlike the more individualistic culture of the U.S., where children often move out early to pursue independence, she appreciates the tight-knit family values she sees in India.

"Close relationships and extensive family networks are emphasized in many Indian families," she noted. "This gives my children a feeling of belonging, emotional support, and stronger family ties."

Additionally, she believes the challenges of adapting to life in India—be it adjusting to a different education system or learning new social norms—will make her children more resilient and emotionally intelligent. Navigating unfamiliar environments, she argues, will prepare them for the uncertainties of life in a way that a more predictable childhood in the U.S. might not.

Sparking Debate: A Bold Choice or a Risky Experiment?

Fischer’s views have resonated with many, with several social media users praising her for embracing a different culture. One commenter wrote, "Your children are very fortunate to be raised in Indian culture." Another added, "What impresses me most is your willingness to learn and appreciate diversity."

However, not everyone agrees with her perspective. Some users pointed out the irony of her decision, given that many Indian families aspire to move to the U.S. for better opportunities. One comment read, "When Indians are emigrating to the U.S., it's interesting to see someone choose the opposite path and fully commit to it."

Others questioned how her children might adjust in the long run. "Will they experience cultural shock if they move back to the U.S. someday?" one user asked. "They might end up being foreigners in both places—where they live and where they’re from."

A Personal Choice in an Ever-Globalizing World

Ultimately, Fischer’s decision to raise her children in India reflects a larger conversation about global parenting and the shifting perceptions of East vs. West. In a world where borders are increasingly blurred, her story challenges the conventional wisdom that raising children in the U.S. is inherently "better."

For Fischer, India isn’t just where she lives—it’s where she believes her children will thrive. Whether one agrees with her perspective or not, her journey serves as a reminder that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to parenting. Sometimes, the best choices for our children lie beyond the familiar comforts of home.

For most parents, sending their kids to the best schools is a priority to provide quality education. But one couple from Kolkata is throwing some light on this assumption by choosing not to send their children to school. They have embraced "unschooling," an unorthodox method that has raised eyebrows online.

Influencer-actor Shenaz Treasury posted a video where parents who had decided not to enroll their kids in school talk about conventional school being "a waste of time." The couple describes their use of "practical experiences for learning" as opposed to the traditional school approach. Their children learn through going on trips, walking in the woods, workshop sessions, and doing things practically.

For instance, traveling makes them learn history more effectively, whereas their son's passion for cricket is employed to educate him on mathematics. The parents also point out that they are raising their kids to become entrepreneurs and have no interest in pursuing traditional career paths. They contend that children in school are too exhausted to participate in actual learning. The couple also describes the phenomenon of "unschooling."

In her caption, Shenaz Treasury explained, "This is a new trend called UNSCHOOLING not to get confused with HOME SCHOOLING. Unschooling is child-led interest-led learning without scripted curriculums, whereas homeschooling has a fixed curriculum taught within the home, like schooling." She also added, "For both home schooling and unschooling- the parents have to be very involved and hands-on!!"

The video sparked varied reactions from viewers. While some were curious about unschooling, others disagreed with the parents’ approach.

Celebrity Sara Afreen Khan supported the idea, commenting, “I’m doing the same, by the way.” Meanwhile, another user criticized traditional schooling, stating, “School education is just a business.”

Not all were convinced about unschooling. Some were worried about the absence of socialization, with one of them asking, "What about learning to be with peers? Building connections? Sometimes belonging to a school can prove to be a great way to connect."

One of the users mentioned that schools also have a bigger purpose, adding, "The only thing about school is not just teaching topics. A school is where a large number of similar minds at a similar age interact and through the interaction, throughout the years, there is behavioral development and learning life lessons. I don't mind homeschooling, but personally, I prefer school. The school discipline becomes applicable in life, which some people may not understand until late in their age."

It is an age in which artificial intelligence can produce beautiful images with very little to work with. Ethical issues of copying art are also more pertinent than ever before. AI software has made it extremely simple for users to replicate the work of great masters without permission, and this raises issues of ownership, attribution, and artistic integrity.

A very good example of this is the phenomenon of producing "Ghibli-style" artwork using AI models. Studio Ghibli, founded by visionary director Hayao Miyazaki, is famous for its hand-drawn, radically unique animation style. Miyazaki and his team have been working day and night for decades to perfect their craft, imbuing it with cultural sensitivity and emotional resonance. When AI can replicate this special style so readily without permission, even credit, it takes away the decades of labor spent in making such masterpieces.

Forbes writer Paul Tassi aptly described AI-generated Ghibli-style art as “creatively and morally horrifying.” The act of feeding an AI model with Ghibli’s essence and churning out instant replicas is more than just an artistic shortcut—it’s a fundamental disregard for artistic labor. Unlike traditional inspiration, where artists study and reinterpret a style in their unique way, AI models directly extract patterns from existing works, blurring the line between homage and outright theft.

Where Do We Draw the Line?

Plagiarism has been a curse of creative industries for a long time, but AI is different. Traditional plagiarism used to be overt copying of music, designs, or writing and would typically result in legal proceedings. With AI, however, the plagiarism is concealed and harder to track. AI algorithms that generate "new" art are typically trained with data banks of previously created work—often without the explicit permission of the original artists. Which is tantamount to AI replicating the work of an artist and not replicating a specific piece of work, thus making legal and ethical accountability vague.

Artists and designers believe that AI art is devaluing the creative process. While human creatives spend years learning, AI produces art in seconds. That convenience is two-edged: it brings art to more people, but at the possible expense of diluting genuine creativity.

Respecting Creativity in the Age of AI

While AI can be a phenomenal instrument for creative art, it must be utilized responsibly. And rather than copying work directly by an artist, AI users should strive to create creative works that are based on inspiration, not on taking it. There must be transparency, permission, and proper credits.

Art is not aesthetics; it is toil, commitment, and sense. If AI art bypasses these essentials, then it is not an innovation but a theft of the very essence of creativity.

As there exists a world with technological revolutions, geopolitical realignments, and economic revolutions that are shaping the global context, education's relevance has never been so significant. The Indian government has been actively restructuring the education system to align with evolving global patterns so that students and professionals remain competitive in an increasingly evolving world.

Aligning with Technological Developments

The rapid rate of development of artificial intelligence, automation, and digital technologies has necessitated a shift in educational priorities. The Centre has launched a number of programs, the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 being one such initiative that places emphasis on skill-building, coding, and digital literacy from a young age. Programs such as the PM e-Vidya and SWAYAM provide access to online studies, creating the urban-rural divide and enabling even access to learning.

Industry-Oriented Curricula

Those days are over when rote learning was enough to achieve academic and professional success. The government has also been engaging in partnerships with industries in framing skill-based curricula, infusing vocational training in general education. Educational institutions are now providing multidisciplinary courses which infuse traditional subjects with contemporary skills, including data science, cybersecurity, and entrepreneurship, to turn students into more marketable products in the global job market.

Emphasis on Research and Innovation

India has been building a culture of research and innovation through various initiatives such as Atal Innovation Mission and increased funding for higher education institutions. Building research parks and incubation centers within universities is aimed at bridging the gap between industry and academia, encouraging students to develop solutions to real-world problems.

International Collaborations

To make India competitive globally, India has been enhancing global partnerships in education. International collaborations with foreign universities, student exchange programs, and double-degree courses have become the norm of the day. The Study in India program has also gone a long way in positioning foreign nations as a center for low-cost and quality education.

Emphasis on Lifelong Learning

With the fast pace of skill obsolescence, lifelong learning has become an essential aspect of professional growth. The Centre has launched several upskilling and reskilling programs, such as Skill India and Digital India, to make professionals competitive in their respective domains. Certification courses on new subjects through online portals ensure continuous learning beyond the conventional classroom.

Challenges and the Road Ahead

Despite all these efforts, still many problems remain. Accessibility of quality education in rural and distant areas, affordability, and the mindset shift towards learning through skills are some areas which need to be worked upon. But with constant policy shifts and investment in education infrastructure, India is well on its way to keep leading education across the world.

In a world that is ever-changing, it is not just a necessity but a national priority that education remains relevant. The government's drive, coupled with the private sector and international cooperation, will be the driving force in creating a future-proof workforce that can easily comprehend the intricacies of the global stage.

Ambedkar University Delhi (AUD) prohibited protests in its admin block, which has sparked a storm of indignation among students, especially the All India Students' Association (AISA). The move came at a moment when campus tensions are running high following AISA's protest last week against the suspension of a student.

University Declares Administrative Zone a No-Protest Zone

A university administration notice on Wednesday established the new restrictions, stating protests would no longer be allowed from Gate No. 1 to the Dara Shikoh Library on the Kashmere Gate campus. The reasons for the decision, the administration reaffirmed the requirement of a "peaceful and orderly environment," and issued the administrative area as a no-protest area.

While the university has reserved a particular space for protest assembly, prior approval by the Proctor's office is now mandatory for all demonstrations, further straining administrative control on campus demonstrations.

AISA Condemns the Decision as an Attack on Student Rights

Acting fast to the ban, AISA released a statement condemning it as a well-crafted assault on democratic rights of students. "First, they banned a student. Now, they have banned students from gathering. The entire campus has been barricaded, movement has been halted, and the administration has now banned protests outside the Vice Chancellor's office," the statement said.

The Suspension That Sparked the Storm

The stir at AUD recently is due to the suspension of a student from the Global Studies department. The student, who is an AISA member, broke the institution's code of conduct when they used the official university mail system to send "derogatory and disrespectful language" to Vice Chancellor Anu Singh Lather on January 28, as per the university's proctorial board.

After a disciplinary hearing, the committee held the student culpable and handed down a suspension order on March 21, excluding them from campus for winter semester 2025.

Procedural Failures and Political Targeting Allegations

AISA has been highly critical of the ruling as having procedural flaws in the disciplinary process. The organization contends that:

Less than 12 hours' notice was provided to the student prior to the hearing.The complainant's identity was not revealed.The disciplining panel comprised only men except for a virtual woman.

As an added incitement of the outrage, AISA asserts that one panel member asked the student's religion while debating the demolition of Babri Masjid—a move which they interpret as an act at intimidation and political targeting of the student.

Timing of Suspension Under Scrutiny

The timing of the disciplinary action has also been questioned. AISA contends that the delay in suspending the student is a sign of politically driven crackdown and not an even-handed application of university policy. The student body continues to demand the reversal of the suspension, vowing to ignore the new protest bans despite warnings from the administration.

A Broader Trend in Campus Politics?

The events at AUD are symptomatic of larger tensions on Indian campuses, as student activism is being increasingly countered with administrative and state intervention. Silencing of protests and disciplinary action against student leaders has consequences for shrinking democratic spaces on campuses.

With AISA's movement building, the future of this confrontation will define not only AUD's campus policies but also the larger dynamics of student activism in India.

DMK MP Kanimozhi’s revelation that Tamil Nadu’s Kendriya Vidyalayas lack permanent Tamil teachers while Hindi and Sanskrit appointments flourish is more than just an administrative oversight—it is a glaring example of how language politics continues to dominate the education system.

The statistics shown—86 permanent Hindi teachers and 65 Sanskrit ones, but not a single one for Tamil—show a stark contrast in language inequity. It evokes some fundamental questions regarding the policy of the Union Government concerning regional languages. If one of India's six classical languages, and a language of deep historical and cultural richness, Tamil has no representation of its own in its nation in a centrally governed system of education, what does it convey to the people of Tamil Nadu?

Kanimozhi's stand against the BJP regime is targeting the very core of an age-old problem—whether India's multi-linguality is progressively eroded in favor of a Hindi-imperializing strategy. Although Hindi or Sanskrit is not prescribed by the Indian Constitution as the "national" language, such policy measures as these are indicative of an unspoken inclination that invigorates regional displeasure.

The lack of permanent Tamil teachers in central schools is more than an issue of administration or recruitment; it is proof of a global effort at language imposition. If federalism and inclusion are the underlying principles of our democracy, why should Tamil Nadu, with its unique linguistic and cultural identity, constantly have to struggle to maintain its language rights within national institutions?

Education policies must encourage diversity, and not push regional languages to the periphery. The Union Government is responsible, not only to Tamil Nadu, but to all Indians who aspire for an egalitarian education system.