Very recently, one of my professors spoke a few words at the end his class, which are not related to the course he is teaching. Those few words made some sense to me. For some reason, they rang a bell in me and I wanted to share those ideas with you all.
The professor is an Indian by birth and a US citizen by passport. He worked in Boeing for many years. That evening, he told a few things about career options abroad, especially for Aerospace Engineering students. People aspiring to work in Boeing, Lockheed Martin etc. should think about this before making a decision.
Unlike other departments, Aerospace Engineering is very closely associated with the defence of a country. Most of the work in Aerospace today is done for military purposes. By working abroad, you will end up developing fighter airplanes, missiles etc. for the defence of that country, which might be used to attack your own motherland and kill your friends or even your parents. Imagine an Iraqi Aerospace Engineer working for US, who is a wonderful scientist and made some of the very critical components for a US fighter plane. What would he have felt when he saw his own work being used to kill his own people?
So, I request people going abroad (especially in Aerospace) to think before making their decisions. If you plan to come back to India after your studies, it would be wonderful. But, I know it would be very difficult to resist the opportunity to work in such an environment - with latest technology, with people who appreciate your work and of course, a good pay. But still, these reasons are not good enough to create weapons which will be used against your own motherland. That way, you are nothing different from a traitor.
My sincere request to you all is the following: Before making a decision, dont just ask yourself " what will I do?", "where will I do?" and "what effect will it have on me?". Also ask " how and where will my work be used?". That might help you avoid bad decisions. I am not trying to prevent anyone from moving abroad. But, please consider the impact of your work on India before starting it.
Pavan
The professor is an Indian by birth and a US citizen by passport. He worked in Boeing for many years. That evening, he told a few things about career options abroad, especially for Aerospace Engineering students. People aspiring to work in Boeing, Lockheed Martin etc. should think about this before making a decision.
Unlike other departments, Aerospace Engineering is very closely associated with the defence of a country. Most of the work in Aerospace today is done for military purposes. By working abroad, you will end up developing fighter airplanes, missiles etc. for the defence of that country, which might be used to attack your own motherland and kill your friends or even your parents. Imagine an Iraqi Aerospace Engineer working for US, who is a wonderful scientist and made some of the very critical components for a US fighter plane. What would he have felt when he saw his own work being used to kill his own people?
So, I request people going abroad (especially in Aerospace) to think before making their decisions. If you plan to come back to India after your studies, it would be wonderful. But, I know it would be very difficult to resist the opportunity to work in such an environment - with latest technology, with people who appreciate your work and of course, a good pay. But still, these reasons are not good enough to create weapons which will be used against your own motherland. That way, you are nothing different from a traitor.
My sincere request to you all is the following: Before making a decision, dont just ask yourself " what will I do?", "where will I do?" and "what effect will it have on me?". Also ask " how and where will my work be used?". That might help you avoid bad decisions. I am not trying to prevent anyone from moving abroad. But, please consider the impact of your work on India before starting it.
Pavan
