These higher values are best transmitted early in age. The high end institutions often dent it, not necessarily consciously but because they draw children who are high end performers and often carry a touch of arrogance. Whatever it be the foundations of character are laid down early and by the time the child is 16 or 17 much of his character building, for good or for worse, has taken place. Yes there is a little window till 20 or 21 that the young one may acquire something good and beautiful but that depends upon any inspiring teacher who may be in the academy. But generally there is anyways little stress on building his character and nobler side. It all changes into performance and that too to get a good job, possibly abroad and with the sole idea of earning big money. It is this almost exclusive importance given to outer success and money that is the deep rot. It shows up much more and appears grotesque if so-called centres of excellence do nothing to bring out and develop the higher side of humanity. There is no doubt some effort being made by some institutions to bridge the yawning gap between the machine-like high performing student and the nobler human side so necessary for building character, but it is too little and, at the college level rather late. It will shift only if the goal of education shifts from job opportunities and career with a view of earning money and success to a more integral growth and development of our capacities and possibilities. Much is wanting, no doubt and expectations are naturally higher from famous institutions and hence the disappointment too. But they are, most of them, if not all, simply extensions of the general world view of the times.
Affectionately,
Alok Da
