Rahul Gandhi, the prominent leader, arrived in Kota, Rajasthan, often referred to as the city of education, to raise his voice against the recurring issue of paper leaks. Before the commencement of the program, Rahul Gandhi expressed his concerns, stating that every paper leak, every cancelled examination, and every incomplete recruitment process isn't merely a failure of the system but a direct assault on the dreams of millions of youth. He called upon the students to join him in creating a roar that would be impossible to ignore, starting from Kota and reaching every corner of the country. Responding to this call, thousands of students gathered at the Dussehra Maidan in Kota to listen to his address.
Focus on Student Issues Over Politics
During his address, Rahul Gandhi launched a sharp attack on the central government but clarified that he didn't come to talk about political parties like the BJP or Congress. He emphasized that his sole purpose was to discuss the issues directly affecting the students, while recalling his Bharat Jodo Yatra, he mentioned that he walked 4000 kilometers from Kanyakumari to Kashmir, during which he met millions of young people. He shared that many students had numerous questions and aspirations. While some wanted to become engineers or lawyers, Rahul Gandhi pointed out that the current system only offers about 5 options that it wants students to pursue, effectively limiting their potential.
The Suppression of Dreams and the Pilot Story
Rahul Gandhi further elaborated on his interactions with the youth, stating that he asked them what was truly in their hearts. The reality was that some wanted to be actors, some dancers, and others astrologers. He shared a specific instance where he asked a group of girls how many of them wanted to become pilots, and not a single girl said yes. Following this, Rahul Gandhi told his own pilot to take four or five of those girls into a helicopter. After they returned from the flight, he asked them again what they wanted to do, and they enthusiastically replied that they wanted to become pilots. Rahul Gandhi used this example to illustrate that the current system doesn't want to fulfill the dreams of the youth but rather suppresses them.
Education Business and Financial Burden
The interaction took place on a stage where Rahul Gandhi was joined only by students, including Saumya Meena, Sania Gupta, and Zeeshan Alam, with no other political leaders present. During this dialogue, Rahul Gandhi provided data stating that the government collects as much money from students through NEET and various other examinations as it allocates to 5 ministries. Despite this massive collection of funds, irregularities in examinations continue to occur. He stated that due to increasing competition and limited resources in the country, the parents of 22 lakh NEET students are being looted. He went on to describe the commercialization of education as a crime.
Addressing the Hardships and Stress
Rahul Gandhi concluded by acknowledging the difficult circumstances faced by students today. He stated, "My aim isn't to discourage you because you should dream. And I am fully confident that you will succeed, but I want to tell this country that you're facing very difficult situations. That's why we saw that tragic incident. " He emphasized that the pressure and tension experienced by students in the current environment is a serious concern that needs to be addressed by the nation.