Introduction
The common belief that success in sports guarantees a comfortable life is misguided. Sunita Devi', a gold medalist weightlifter, exemplifies this dilemma by struggling to make ends meet despite her achievements. This article explores the harsh realities of life for unconventional professions and the cultural pressures on young individuals to follow conventional career paths.
The Flawed Perception of Success
There is a widespread myth that being a successful athlete or artist automatically leads to a comfortable life. While Sunita Devi' did win a gold medal at the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta, her life post-competition has not been easy. This highlights the problematic assumption that Olympic success guarantees a life of ease and prosperity.
The Dilemma of Unconventional Professions
Many professions considered unconventional, such as poets, Ghazal singers, photographers, musicians, and dancers, offer limited financial security. This stark reality explains why parents often discourage their children from pursuing such careers. They know that non-traditional professions often provide irregular incomes and lack job security, unlike jobs in accounting, law, medicine, or engineering.
The Influence of Cinema
Movies, often perceived as reality entertainment, perpetuate this myth. For instance, the movie "3 Idiots" portrays a skewed and misleading image of success. The film suggests that life success is attainable through unconventional pathways, but this is far from the truth. The harsh realities of life are often omitted from such narratives, which can create false hopes and dreams among the younger generation.
The Harsh Truth of Life in Bollywood
Success in the Indian film industry (Bollywood), for example, is typically reserved for a small number of individuals. Name-dropping famous actors, singers, and athletes such as Sachin Tendulkar, Shah Rukh Khan, Amitabh Bachchan, Lata Mangeshkar, Asha Bhosle, Virat Kohli, Aishwarya Rai, Priyanka Chopra, and Deepika Padukone, reinforces the idea that such success is incredibly rare and requires extreme luck and exceptional talent.
Government's Role in Misleading Content
Some Bollywood movies, funded by vested interest groups, perpetuate this myth for ulterior motives. These films aim to misguide younger generations into believing that following one's dreams can lead to instant success. Such content can be harmful, as it creates unrealistic expectations and discourages individuals from pursuing more practical career paths.
Protecting the Next Generation
To counteract this misinformation, the government should consider banning movies that deliberately mislead younger generations. Parents and educators have the responsibility to raise awareness and guide young individuals toward more realistic career aspirations.
The Importance of Traditional Professions
Parents often advocate for traditional professions like accountants, lawyers, chartered accountants, engineers, and doctors, as these careers typically provide a regular income and job security. The ongoing struggle of unconventional professionals like Sunita Devi underscores the wisdom in these parental advice.
The Ladder of Success
The journey to success in life is bumpy and challenging, even for those with conventional professions. However, the struggle is often exacerbated for those in unconventional fields. A Struggler in Bollywood can attest to the daily fight to survive and sustain their career.
Conclusion
Individuals aspiring to pursue unconventional professions should be aware of the challenges they will face. Success in such careers is not guaranteed and often requires a combination of talent, luck, and relentless hard work. Parents have a crucial role in shaping their children's career choices, and it is essential to educate young individuals about the realities of life in different professions.
Final Thought
While the path to success is complex, parents can play a significant role in guiding their children towards more practical and realistic career paths. The struggles faced by Sunita Devi and other unconventional professionals serve as a stark reminder that the perception of success in unconventional fields is often a myth.