“What appears at first glance to be a story of individual resilience is, in reality, a critical expose of governmental mismanagement and wasted human potential. Instead of celebrating these scholars’ survival, society should critically examine why highly educated professionals are marginalized and denied meaningful employment.”
Abid Hussain Rather*
In recent months, the stories of many PhD scholars from various regions of our valley selling dry fruits, juices, and other commodities on carts have surfaced and made waves in various circles, especially in the media and on social platforms. They have been framed as tales of resilience and this myth needs to be shattered.
The plight of PhD scholars forced to sell dry fruits and juices on streets is not an inspirational narrative, but a damning indictment of systemic failure. These educated individuals, who have invested years in specialized research and academic training, are not choosing these menial jobs – they are being driven to them by economic desperation and a profound lack of opportunities.
What appears at first glance to be a story of individual resilience is, in reality, a critical expose of governmental mismanagement and wasted human potential. Instead of celebrating these scholars’ survival, society should critically examine why highly educated professionals are being marginalized and denied meaningful employment in their fields of expertise.
Pursuing a doctorate is no small feat. It demands rigorous academic commitment, years of research, and an unrelenting dedication to the pursuit of knowledge. Scholars often work in highly specialized fields, producing original research that adds to the collective understanding of a discipline. In many cases, PhD scholars make significant sacrifices – financial and personal – delaying family life, accumulating student debt, and enduring the uncertainty of academic research.
Given this backdrop, the expectation is that these scholars, once equipped with their hard-earned expertise, will contribute significantly to society. They could become researchers expanding the boundaries of innovation, policy analysts, government decision-makers, professors educating future generations, or skilled experts working in diverse sectors like healthcare, technology, or social sciences.
The investment a nation makes in these scholars – often in the form of subsidized education or research grants – should ideally yield economic and social returns. However, when they are pushed to the streets, it exposes a grim reality: The system has failed to integrate them meaningfully into the workforce.
Unemployment in J&K
The unemployment crisis has been a persistent and chronic problem in Jammu and Kashmir for a long time and its rate is rising with every passing day. According to various reports, the unemployment rate in Jammu and Kashmir has consistently remained among the highest in India.
The latest Periodic Labour Force Survey has revealed that J&K has a 32 percent unemployment rate among youth and a staggering 53.6 percent joblessness among females. Both unemployment rates are the highest in India. It is estimated that 25 lakh youngsters are seeking jobs in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
Thousands of well-educated individuals are either underemployed or entirely unemployed. The most troubling aspect of this story is the paradox of education without opportunity. The number of PhD scholars being churned out far exceeds the available positions in academia and other government departments.
This scenario raises a question mark on the system, which fails to provide employment opportunities to highly educated individuals like PhD scholars, highlighting a waste of human resources with risks of brain drain.
There has been little effort to create industries that can absorb the educated workforce in Jammu and Kashmir. Despite promises, job schemes and employment initiatives have either been too few or poorly implemented, though there are thousands of posts lying vacant in the various departments. We are yet to see any mega recruitment drive by the local government though it was promised to common masses before the assembly elections of 2024.
It is pertinent to mention here that our universities and research institutions often focus on theoretical knowledge and academic publications while neglecting the need to align research with industry requirements. As a result, many PhD holders find themselves with expertise that does not translate into employability outside of academia.
Aggravated by decades of conflict, development and employment opportunities are more challenging in Jammu and Kashmir. It needs a more rigorous effort to bridge the gap between education and employment.
Way Ahead
To address this crisis, the government must prioritize job creation in Kashmir by establishing industries and offering incentives for corporate investment. Tax subsidies and strategic development can help absorb the educated workforce, particularly research scholars.
Stronger collaboration between universities and industries is crucial to align academic research with market needs, creating practical pathways for PhD holders to transition into meaningful professional roles. This approach can bridge the current gap between academic training and employment opportunities.
Developing an entrepreneurship ecosystem tailored to highly educated individuals’ skill sets could be transformative. Research-driven entrepreneurship has the potential to generate jobs and stimulate economic growth, offering an alternative to desperate survival strategies.
Given the current economic limitations, research scholars should explore job prospects in more developed regions of the country and internationally. This approach can provide expanded opportunities beyond local constraints.
The government should develop a comprehensive job policy specifically designed for scholars with extensive teaching experience, recognizing their expertise and providing appropriate professional avenues.
Ultimately, a cultural shift is necessary—one that genuinely values education and ensures that intellectual investment translates into meaningful professional opportunities. Society must recognize that supporting its most educated citizens is key to sustainable economic and intellectual development.
The stories of PhD scholars on the streets are not the ones to celebrate. They are cautionary tales that warn us that a PhD scholar who could innovate, improve governance, or advance scientific understanding is reduced to performing menial jobs, often with psychological and social consequences.
(*The author can be reached at rather1294@gmail.com)
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