Why Are We So Stressed—As If Our Minds Work Like Pressure Cookers?

While travelling by metro train, I’ve often noticed people getting into verbal fights over the smallest things—someone standing too close, brushing past unintentionally, or bumping into each other when the train stops suddenly. The real question is: Why are we so irritable and unsettled in our lives?

Even though many of us have enough to live comfortably and with dignity, we’re often not satisfied with what we already have. Instead, we become desperate to get more—more wealth, more comfort, and more recognition. The truth is simple: we’re no longer living in a realistic world. Instead, we’ve immersed ourselves in a highly competitive culture that thrives on show-offs and comparisons.

People today are less concerned about whether they have enough for themselves and more concerned with what their neighbours have. And it doesn’t stop there—they also begin to wonder how their neighbours are getting those things and even how to stop them from achieving more. This mindset worsens when our brains become trapped in a cycle of constant thinking, planning, worrying, and multitasking. As a result, our minds rarely get the chance to rest, and the pressure starts to build up, just like a pressure cooker. Unfortunately, due to our busy lives, we forget to release that pressure and give ourselves time to relax.

Before the advent of mobile phones, the internet, and computers, we used to travel together, engage in conversations, and enjoy friendly gossip. Many of these travel-time friendships even turned into meaningful relationships. But now, technology has taken away that human touch. We don’t even feel the need to meet our real brothers or close ones. Instead, we focus on developing virtual relationships with people far away—people who, in reality, may not support us when we truly need them.

A survey by Home Credit found that around 77% of working professionals in India use personal loans, and nearly 33% of their income goes toward EMIs for buying homes, two-wheelers, four-wheelers, and fulfilling unrealistic desires like travelling abroad. Another survey by the Times of India revealed that around 75% of Indians do not have an emergency fund, leaving them vulnerable to loan defaults if they lose their job or face any disruption.

In metro cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, and others, many young professionals are so desperate to own an iPhone, MacBook, or other expensive gadgets that they spend six to eight months of their entire salary to buy these items on EMIs. Even though a normal smartphone is more than sufficient for daily use, they want to show off to their colleagues, friends, and relatives.

As mentioned earlier, due to this desperate pursuit of both realistic and unrealistic desires—and because of our overly busy schedules—people fail to maintain a healthy balance between work and personal life. Many cannot build or sustain meaningful relationships, and as a result, their marriages often end.

After a breakup or separation, many turn even more toward technology, where they are constantly bombarded with notifications, news, social media content, and endless choices. The brain tries to process all of it, which becomes a source of mental tension and frustration. With no time for proper sleep, rest, or hobbies, we shut down all the natural outlets for releasing stress, anxiety, and frustration. When the body cannot express anger, emotions, or sadness, it builds internal pressure that may lead to depression. As we know, depression often arises from consistent feelings of sadness and becomes a major threat to mental health.

Today, we no longer prioritise spending time with our real brothers, friends, or family. Instead, we chase digital connections with people far away—people who, in truth, are unlikely to help us when we need support the most. In seeking validation through screens, we’re losing touch with those closest to us, and this disconnection is a major reason behind rising mental health issues. We must learn to be content with what we already have. We need to be realistic and invest in real-life relationships rather than chasing approval from virtual strangers who are unlikely to stand by us during difficult times.

Always respect money and save for rainy days. Nobody truly cares what brand of clothes you wear or what phone you use. This is an era where people are too busy with themselves. If they really noticed others, they wouldn’t engage in inappropriate behaviour in public spaces like metro stations, bus stops, parks, and multiplexes.

So be aware of what's happening around you—but don’t let it control your peace. Enjoy your life without comparing it to others. True happiness lies in simplicity, self-awareness, and genuine human connection, not in gadgets or social media likes.

School Dropouts in India: Problems, Role of NGOs, and the Way Forward

Education is the pillar of society that empowers individuals to stay informed about social values and contributes to nation-building by supporting industries and creating employment opportunities. It uplifts the economically weaker sections of society and improves their standard of living. In short, education helps build a developed and progressive nation. It is an integral part of every individual's life, enabling them to live with dignity and purpose.

Most of us understand that these aspirations can only be realized when everyone is educated and aware of their rights and responsibilities towards their family and the nation. More than 25 per cent of Indians are illiterate.

According to UDISE+ 2021–22 data, the highest dropout rate (12.6%) occurs at the senior secondary level (grades 9–10), around 3% drop out at the upper primary level (grades 6–8), and 1.5% at the primary level. Every year, around 2.5 million (25 lakh) Indian students graduate. While this number may seem large, it is much smaller compared to China, where approximately 12 million (1.2 crore) students graduate annually.

Free education is essential to create an educated, informed, and empowered society. To achieve this, the Indian government has made primary education a fundamental right, ensuring that every citizen has access to it. However, despite these efforts, significant challenges remain.

Challenges in the Indian Education System

There is a severe shortage of government schools, especially in rural areas. While private schools are available, they are often unaffordable for economically marginalised communities. Many rural schools suffer from inadequate infrastructure. The poor quality of education is another major reason for students losing interest. Despite mandatory teacher training programs, there is still a lack of qualified and motivated teachers who can inspire students through innovative teaching methods.

Socio-economic factors, cultural influences, and early marriages also contribute to high dropout rates. According to the Household Consumption Expenditure Survey (HCES), around 27.5% of India’s population lives below the poverty line. In such conditions, expecting a poor family to send their child to school is unrealistic—they are often compelled to engage in child labour to survive.

The problem is not confined to rural areas. Even in metro cities, many interior and underdeveloped areas lack proper schools and educational infrastructure. While posh neighbourhoods may have excellent schools, other urban areas still struggle. This raises an important question: Do these areas have enough schools, qualified teachers, and access to quality education?

The Burden of Private Schooling

Cities are flooded with private schools that often exploit parents financially in the name of quality education. They charge high fees and additional costs for expensive books, uniforms, accessories with school logos, and various extracurricular activities. A concerning trend is the frequent change of textbooks each year, making it impossible for parents to reuse books from previous students. Despite paying hefty fees and meeting all the schools' demands, parents often have to arrange extra tuition—sometimes from the same school teachers—to ensure their child's success. Later, parents may realise they were misled into believing that expensive schooling guaranteed better results.

The Role of NGOs in Education

NGOs are playing a significant role in expanding access to education and improving its quality, especially for economically disadvantaged communities. They offer free primary and secondary education, vocational training, and skill-development programs to help people find better job opportunities and contribute to society. Many NGOs also work towards gender equality and provide special support for differently-abled individuals.

However, not all NGOs are genuinely committed to their mission. Some operate with a profit-making mindset, losing sight of the true spirit of non-profit service. While many organisations are sincerely working to improve education, others have turned this sector into a lucrative business.

Conclusion and Way Forward

School dropouts in India are a multifaceted issue, influenced by socio-economic conditions, geographical disparities, and school-related factors such as inadequate infrastructure, lack of dedicated teachers, child labour, and early marriages. Addressing these challenges requires a multi-pronged approach, including poverty reduction, improved school facilities, better teacher training, and increased community and parental involvement.

The government must also consider implementing a universal and practical syllabus, focusing on unity and real-world application. Outdated or divisive content should be revised or removed to promote national harmony and practical learning outcomes.