The direction in which the world is moving is no secret. In the twentieth century, the power of nations was determined by war and geography, but in the twenty-first century, power is now measured by knowledge, science, and innovation. Russia is investing in relentless research on cures for deadly diseases like cancer. The United States has redefined the future economy and even war strategy through artificial intelligence. China's disciplined approach to infrastructure and technical education has made it a center of both production and innovation.

Amidst these global efforts, India claims to become a "Vishwaguru." This aspiration is not bad—every nation wants to elevate its role. The problem lies not in this claim, but in the widening gap that is growing between our slogan and our reality.
The facts that have emerged in recent months regarding the admissions process for medical education have further highlighted this gap. If it is true that candidates with negative scores are still gaining opportunities to become doctors, this is not just an academic error—it raises a serious alarm about the safety of public health. Doctors are not just a profession, but a bridge between life and death. A decline in their qualifications directly impacts the vitality of society as a whole.
It's true that the shortage of doctors in India is a serious challenge. The number of doctors per thousand population in India is still lower than the global average. But this crisis cannot be solved by lowering the qualification threshold. It's like reducing the quality of construction materials to address the shortage of bridges. The bridge may be built, but one day it will collapse, injuring the very people it was built to help.
The concept of social justice is an integral value of Indian democracy. Reservation and inclusiveness aim to ensure equality of opportunity, not to eliminate the criterion of merit. Social background may determine opportunity, but compromising on marks and efficiency when handing the knife to a surgeon would be a self-defeating step. A student's struggle may be a matter of sympathy, but a mistake on the operating table could cost someone's life. That is why medicine, aviation, nuclear science, or other high-risk fields require training and support, not concessions.
There's a satire going around these days: "The new method of population control is a doctor with minus marks." It may sound exaggerated, but the underlying fear is real. The introduction of incompetence into medicine is an attack on the collective security of the nation. When a doctor's mistake costs someone their life, it's not just a policy failure, it's a moral crime.
The irony is that while India boasts global recognition for its knowledge and leadership, it simultaneously weakens its own professional standards. No country becomes great through slogans. It becomes great through the discipline and transparency of its institutions. Education, health, and research—these are the backbones of any civilized society. Without these, no one can become a "world leader," no matter how many speeches are delivered on stage.
The most tragic aspect of this situation is that the very communities in whose name many concessions are granted are the ones who suffer the most. The poor and marginalized depend on government hospitals. If unqualified doctors reach them, the very goal of social justice will be subverted. Inequality will not decrease, but will deepen. This question is also important because when formulating policy, we often assume the intention is sufficient, but ignore the impact of the outcome.
The growing influence of private medical colleges has further complicated this problem. When education is transformed from a service to a business, merit is overshadowed by money. High fees, management quotas, and the exchange of seats have altered the nature of medical education. This situation also weakens the trust between doctor and patient. When a doctor begins to view a degree as an investment, not an achievement, their primary goal becomes recovery, not treatment. This inevitably leads to a decline in the ethics of the profession.
If this trend continues, in the coming years, the face of India's medical system will be one where quality will be a matter of how much is paid, not how efficiently the treatment is delivered. This would be a profound irony for a nation that calls itself a life-giving civilization.
The only way out of this situation is to restructure the entire educational structure. The problem will be solved not by lowering admission standards, but by strengthening the foundation of education. We must ensure that rural or disadvantaged students receive the facilities, training, and teachers at the elementary level that enable them to compete. Investments in scholarships, coaching support, and scientific methods of education must be increased. Cultivating merit is difficult, but there is no alternative.
India must now clearly define its priorities. Do we want to remain a mere rhetoric or truly become a society of global quality? China has earned global respect through its education policy, Japan through its discipline, and Korea through innovation. The same is possible in India—if we make merit and honesty the norm.
A nation's true identity is not determined by its leaders, but by its professional class. Doctors, teachers, scientists, and engineers—these are the pillars that shape society. If their talent begins to decline, no highway, no campaign, or no vision document can make that nation a world leader.
It's time for India to introspect. Do we want to reach a point where the world trusts our doctors, or do we want to live in complacency where the term "world leader" has become a mere consolation?
The answer is simple. If we reinstate transparency and the value of merit in our education, examinations, recruitment, and administration, the dream of "Vishwaguru" can transform from a mere slogan into a concrete achievement. A nation's rise is not driven by any single class, ideology, or power; it is driven by the efforts of every citizen who is determined to achieve excellence in their field.
The Indian tradition said centuries ago, "Na hi jnanaen sadrisham pavitramih vidyate." Nothing is more sacred than knowledge. This thought can take us forward.
The path to becoming a world leader lies not through slogans or symbols; it lies through education, discipline, and institutional integrity. We must decide whether we want to follow this path.

Email:-------------------------------satywanverma333@gmail.com