Infrastructure forms the basis of modern functioning in science, technology, industry, culture and media. It facilitates processes to take the form of blooming heights and rise up the ladder of advancement with dexterity and skill. Infrastructure in colleges forms an integral part in the socio-economic fabric of the country. For, good infrastructural facilities inside colleges get embalmed in the educational training of the students. These very students contribute to the production process in future, with all that they have picked up during the learning period. So, the need of the hour is state-of-the-art infrastructure in the various applied fields.
Infrastructure in colleges can take the forms of capital, communications, governance, social, cultural, sports, and recreational. One can also take into account a much rising issue of “green infrastructure”. The capital infrastructure consists of the buildings, laboratories and equipments. India, notably, has a sorry state of affairs in this case. Except for the reputed engineering and management colleges, one cannot really boast of modern aspects of capital employed. Even in prestigious institutions, there is despair, what with old buildings in ruins, ill-equipped laboratories and outdated instruments furnishing the experimental processes. In contrast, most of the colleges of USA, though reputably and academically less known than the ones in India host a brilliant display of sophisticated technology in all forms of infrastructure.
Governance encompasses strict legal regulations to combat crimes, namely, ragging, suicides, crimes against women, drug and alcohol abuse. Also, round -the-clock diligent emergency facilities are a must. Sadly, we often come across incidents displaying failure in these aspects, with ragging topping the list. Failing to cope up with the pressure of an ever-burgeoning rat race, students end up taking their lives. Only a handful of colleges in our country make room for psychologists who can help students re-think their problems in life. Technologically too, Indian colleges are way below the ones in USA, that are so well connected with dramatically fast internet services.
Social infrastructure involves a sound system of health facilities, ambulance services and charitable functioning. Students should be taught to take an active participation in charitable forums, so that social sharing and equity are promoted in society. Indian colleges, particularly lack in this aspect, with very few established forums working with college students. Lastly, recreational infrastructure, namely, sports facilities lack severely, with scope for very few games like that of cricket and football only. No medium is developed well enough to promote potential games like that of hockey, baseball or squash. Green infrastructure necessitates a green and clean environment inside the campus, so that students learn to appreciate Mother Earth and live in harmony with her. Of course, only decoration cannot do the work. An excellent academic repertoire of a college also lays the foundation of a bright future.
What is required is stringent and fast-paced action on part of the authorities. The infrastructural state of the Indian colleges should be replenished with niceties aplenty. Until then, “brain-drain” would continue to stigmatise the educational and professional scenario, robbing India of all the potential that it can very well display.