The document provides a summary and analysis of the differences between the Indian and American educational systems through exploring Gopal's experiences studying in both countries. The Indian system focuses on memorization, drilling, and repetition to instill fundamentals, which gave Gopal a strong base but discouraged further experimentation. In contrast, the American system emphasizes analysis and encourages questioning established beliefs, inspiring Gopal to think more critically and logically. While the Indian system breeds competition and envy between students, the American environment is supportive and collaborative. Gopal received more praise in one month in America than his whole life in India. This positive culture in America has made it a model of excellence compared to the aggressive approach that exists in India.

1. Mahatma Gandhi Arts, Science & Late N. P. Commerce College,
Armori, Dist. Gadchiroli
Class :- B. A. – II ( Sem. – IV )
Subject :- Compulsory English
Topic :-Education: Indian & American
- Anurag Mathur
- Prepared By -
Asst. Prof. Anil P. Raut

2. Education: Indian & American
- Anurag Mathur
Introduction:-
Anurag Mathur is an Indian author and journalist. He is known for his novel “The
Inscrutable Americans” published in 1991. This comic novel recounts the adventures of an
Indian student who has newly arrived in America and is both satirical and insightful about
the strengths and weaknesses of the two cultures. The present extract “Education : Indian
and American” is taken from this comic novel. It helps us to understand the flaws in our
own educational system. It makes us think about what education means and what it takes to
be a good teacher

3. Summary of the Essay- “Education: Indian & American”
Indian system of education is based on memorizing, drilling and repetition. Gopal had an
experience of this system. He had to drill and repeat to remember the fundamentals. His mind
was really beaten up. Gopal’s mind was made like a tight rigid mass on which fundamentals of
science had been dug deep until they sank into his subconscious mind. The continuous drilling
and memorizing had made his mind an unshakable base. That was why he could make sorties
but his American colleagues couldn’t because they were not sure about the basic principles. This
was the goodness of Indian system of education which had helped Gopal and impressed the
Americans.
American system of education is based on analysis rather than memorizing Gopal was ready
with knowledge of fundamentals and now he began to learn the joy of analysis. It was
something like an expanding flower. Here, he could experiment with the basic principles that
had been taught him in India. In India, nobody questioned the fundamentals. Gopal was able to
question them in America. He could do analysis and experiment them logically. American
education system does not rest on what is given in book. Often Gopal thought someone would
have scolded him and have asked him to return to books, as in India. However, in America he
received encouragement which enabled his mind to rise high and experience glory in studying.

4. Indian Educational System supports effective efforts for instilling discipline and the basics. This is done by drilling
and remembering what one has read through subsequent repetition. However, this repetition made the mind flaw
and imperfect when it is supposed to go further investigating new in what has already memorized. The author has
emphasized on this drawback. The system does not encourage further experiments. It is something like sticking to
what one has read and repeated. It demands return to thinking by the book.
Gopal sat in the library studying late at night in America. He also engaged himself in experiments and stayed long
in the laboratory. He did not aimed at higher marks. He stayed there for he enjoyed it. This developed his grasping
power so much that now he could go back to the fundamentals and think over them in a view of research. He
started thinking deep asking him many questions such as why did the fundamentals do in the way as they were?
What were the intention and the result? Was there possibility of improving them? These questions would have
worried the Indian teachers. They would consider them as contrary to the established beliefs. Further, they would
even see it as violation of morality in the sense. The American educational system had, by the time, changed
Gopal’s viewpoints. He would sometimes think playfully, what reaction his Indian teachers would have given to
the questions arising in Gopal’s mind. It was in a manner thinking logically which was not seen in India. Staying in
a defined framework and not crossing the borders was the way of Indian education. In his earlier days in India he
saw the fundamentals as something formidable. But now, equipped with new logical view point he thought of
those giants as dusty, shrunken old men with barred minds, because they never really looked further as if their
minds were kept in somecage with no liberty of thinking freely.

5. Gopal found that there was vast difference in Indian and American students in their approach in
America questioning was always welcome. There was a sense of knowing and realising the
facts from the bottom. The American students never thought of being called a fool. Instead,
they showed craziness and thought it was better. They were also intelligent Gopal had superior
abilities. But his American colleagues were not annoyed. Clearly Gopal had changed his
approach of looking and thinking. The American students liked his replies and spoke to him and
asked to study with him. They admired him frankly. Gopal was amazed at this. They really
touched his heart. They were frank and straightforward. Gopal thought that they were sarcastic.
But he soon realised that they were clearly honest which he couldn’t believe in India the picture
was totally opposite. Other students couldn't admire him as they wore envy of him. Gopal had
to bear the pain when the Indian students humiliated him and gave him less importance. They
hardly had admired him. If possible his fellow classmates would even try to be hurdle in his
way of progress. However, in America Gopal received more compliments in one month on his
abilities and work than he had received in all his life in India.

6. The author remarked that in India we could write the definitive book on envy. According to
him, Indian could hardly tolerate other reaching at goals of success. If anyone does, they
would try to humiliate him and if possible, put hurdles in his way. Even today, if rumors are
spread about anyone's Success, devilish spirit of avenging is seen rising in the minds of
others. This evil spirit has been in existence since long. As if it is an unfortunate fateful
imperfection with Indians sticked from long time and for centuries outsiders have exploited
this for dividing Indians in the want of ruling over them.

7. Gopal thought about the contrast he experienced in America. The positive supportive trendy
encouraging and well-equipped approach of American had deeply impressed him, the
environment was worth encouraging. In India there is aggressive approach at anybody's success
out of envy. And the story seems unending. There in India colleagues battle each other and
everybody else with this evil of ever including hatred. In America, however, colleagues are
friendly and supportive. They even encourage and appreciate this spirit had made America a
model of excellence in the light of efficiency and tolerance. Educated professional eagerly wait
to depart from India not exactly for comfortable life as it could also be enjoyed in India, if
pockets permitted. The reason of brain drain is hidden in the environment which exists in
America and India lacks. This is what happened in one month in America Gopal, being a
foreign student on American soil was welcomed, appreciated and even encouraged. This did not
happen in all his life in India

8. Gopal had seen snow spread on the ground only in photographs. When in America he saw snow
showering on the ground he was amazed. He could not resist himself from playful activities
with the takes of snow. He realised that it danced with joy of a ballet dancer. He could realise
the beauty of it. It touched as if a child is touching hesitantly. Gopal tried to catch each flake
into his mouth. He felt the takes were very much alive as it evaded him settled on him. One of
them even rested on his neck. Gopal was extremely happy to play with the flakes and he tried to
swallow as many as he could. It wasn’t easy but it gave excitement. He felt like a miraculous
new drink as he swallowed. He snapped at a flake and it fell on his eye and stung. He had to
brush his eye and he saw a security guard watching him for some time. Gopal thought what
made him interested in the playful activity of attacking snowflakes of a foreign student, alone at
midnight.

9. Thank
You