Rajiv Khati’s Viral Post Sparks Debate on India’s Broken Education Priorities
A powerful LinkedIn post by Rajiv Khati, Founder and Managing Director of TashTam Group, is making waves across the country — and for good reason. In a sharp and heartfelt critique of the Indian education system, Khati highlights how the relentless pursuit of academic marks is coming at the expense of children’s mental well-being, physical health, and real-world readiness. He describes the situation as a “slow-motion disaster” fueled by outdated values and misplaced priorities.
Today’s Kids Are Struggling — And It’s Not Their Fault
Khati paints a troubling picture of modern childhood: overstimulated by screens, under-exercised, emotionally fragile, and disconnected from real-life skills. He emphasizes that this isn’t the fault of the children — but of the system created by adults. “We’ve built an education model that rewards rote memory and ignores emotional resilience,” he writes.
Digital Overload, But No Real Understanding
In an age where information is just a tap away, Khati argues that students are more overwhelmed than enlightened. “They scroll through endless motivational reels and study tips, yet feel more lost and anxious than ever,” he notes. Citing a 2023 study from the Indian Journal of Psychiatry, he links high screen time to emotional numbness, mental fatigue, and stunted social growth — calling it “digital noise, not learning.”
Academics Without Purpose
Khati slams the outdated curriculum for failing to prepare students for life beyond school. “They can recite the periodic table but can’t manage stress, eat right, or sleep well,” he writes. He urges schools to stop obsessing over grades and instead foster skills that matter in the real world — creativity, adaptability, and emotional intelligence.
Health Is the Real Crisis
More alarming is the physical toll the current system is taking on children. Khati highlights shocking trends:
- 1 in 3 urban children is overweight or obese
- Type 2 diabetes is now showing up in kids as young as 10
- Anxiety and depression are surging due to poor lifestyle habits
“We’ve replaced movement with screens and real food with processed junk,” he warns. The result? A generation of kids struggling physically and emotionally.
What We Should Really Be Teaching
Khati urges a complete reset in our approach to education. He argues for:
- Confidence from movement, not just report cards
- Strength in body, not just memory
- Resilience through failure, not fear
- Self-regulation over blind obedience
“The world doesn’t reward toppers who burn out at 22,” he writes. “It values those who can think, adapt, and lead.”
The Five Changes That Can’t Wait
To turn the tide, Khati lays out a clear 5-point action plan:
- Fix the food – Make school canteens nutrition-focused, not junk-filled
- Prioritize mental health – Teach emotional well-being and stress management as core life skills
- Normalize discomfort – Help children grow by encouraging them to face challenges, not avoid them
- Reclaim the body – Make physical activity a non-negotiable part of school life
- Teach less, teach deeper – Focus on understanding and depth instead of information overload
Beyond Marks: Raising Whole Humans
In his closing message, Khati reminds readers: “Children are not machines built for exams. They are living, feeling beings who deserve to grow in every dimension — emotional, physical, and social. Let’s stop worshipping hollow résumés and start raising whole humans.”
The post has triggered widespread discussion among educators, parents, and professionals — prompting many to question whether it’s time for a radical shift in how we define success in education.
