Why are Indians Obsessed With Maths and Science

‘Nalayak! Sharma Ji ke bete ne PCB stream li hai aur tune commerce without maths li hai. Sharm Kar maths toh padh hi sakta hai agar science nahi hoti hai toh.’.

How many of us have witnessed this dialogue. Be it in real life or some movies, sitcoms or shows. But the question which arises here is why does this happen?

This is not the latest science and maths stereotype. It is a century-old mindset. In those times medical was considered the best. Being a doctor just meant money, the way it is now. So being a doctor was equated with richness and money, money. It is one hundred percentile true that in that time this was the scenario. But it is certainly not the same now.

Approximately 18 lakh students in India are promoted to grade 11. Grade 11 means that they are going to choose a stream. But can we imagine that all 18 lakh students will opt for the medical science stream? Practically is this even feasible? In another instance, aren't The judge of the supreme court, the lawyers, charted accountants, archaeologists, teachers, professors, writers and authors, the entrepreneurs respected. Don't they make a living? Don’t they make five or ten grands?

Another reason is that science and maths are always the cups of tea of the brainy ones or in colloquial language the book - worms. So for the family, it is often shameful if their children do not opt for science or maths. Because according to them the society ends up taunting them every time to an extent to frustrate them. To curb this frustration, social boycott and to retain their honour they end up forcing their children to opt for science.

But the biggest problem is for the ones who opt for commerce without maths. They are often made to feel regretful about their decision not to take maths. Something very common is " Par beta commerce without maths ka toh aagey koi scope hi nahi hai. Agey Mba ya Kuch aur karna hoga toh kya karoge. Meri mano Abhi bhi time change from I.p to maths’. Or another way is to address these students as ‘nalayak’ or ‘nikkame’.

There is no point talking about the ones who choose humanities. Because the ones who go for humanities are the ones who do not want to study or are referred to as ‘velley bachhe’. They are considered to be the most stupid children. The commerce and humanities students are often said to have plenty of time because commerce and humanities are effortless and everyone's cup of tea. A hierarchy is followed. Science ones brilliant, commerce one's average and humanities below the average line.

So does that mean studying only science is difficult whereas commerce and humanities are uncomplicated? The answer to this is no. All three streams are equally tough. Scoring marks in any of the stream is not a cake walk. It is just a mere rumour that science is the most intricate of all.

Though in the urban areas this notion is coming to an end, but it has not completely vanished. The imprints are still left on the minds of some people, who oftentimes underestimate commerce without maths under the notion that without maths is not taken by the “nalayak” ones. Also many are fighting to prove this rumour false, but it is like attacking the century-old mindset of the Indian conservatives.