BPO’s FIASCO!

It has been widely debated whether the growth of Business Processing Outsourcing (BPO) industry has been good for our country and more importantly for our culture. The subject has not been adequately addressed in a manner that will provide an insight to our youngsters, especially those who are most often lured by the seemingly lucrative packages that the industry puts out.

Considering the economic prosperity and massive employment that the BPO has brought, it surely makes BPOs one of the most sought after industries. But let us see what happens once an individual lands up working in a BPO? First he is stripped of his identity. Krishna becomes Chris, Janardhanan becomes John and Saraswathi becomes Sara and so on. They are trained in an accent that belongs neither here nor there. In short the individual’s identity is robbed and replaced by a convenient one to satisfy the economics of the trade.

Secondly, We also need to ask if our teenagers are being robbed of their youth to work like mechanized robots in a demanding industry. The age group of 18 to 25 is the crucial time in a person's life in which he/she acquires skills that will sustains him/her on the long run. The lure of easy money can deprive them of acquiring skills that are more sustaining and meaningful in life.

Thirdly, the industry has encouraged the growth of synthetic westernization which has adversely affected our cultural and traditional outlook. Our oriental values lay great stress on the principles and values of Karma. Karma emphasizes on a value system that puts duty above the considerations of material benefit. It underlines the principle of altruism in its purest form. The hefty pay packages offered by the industry to lure youngsters, kills this spirit and is the classic example of synthetic material values creeping into our culture.

It is often being argued that BPOs provide opportunities for those who do not have anything else to sustain themselves in life. With some basic English speaking skills a financially strained person can earn up to Rs, 20,000. Undoubtedly, BPOs have come as a savior for thousands of unemployed youngsters and has also helped considerably in raising their standard of living. What concerns me the most is that this opportunity is misguiding our youth. In many ways it has killed initiative and creativity by languishing in a vacuum like environment called call centres.

Last but not the least, the amount of freedom that a night working schedule bestows, is more often than not misused. Practices like drinking, one night stands, and drugs have become a part and parcel of their life style. And at this tender age it becomes almost impossible for them to discern the difference between right and wrong.

The need of the hour is to provide proper guidance to youngsters by creating awareness about a larger more meaningful world with great opportunities for creative skills, improvisation and higher education. They must be made to understand that there are various other creative areas to develop one's personality and call centres are only a short cut to mediocre wealth. This initiative should be made by parents and teachers alike.

While BPO’s may offer some hope in a country with great unemployment, one must remember there is a life and scope beyond this instant moneymaking profession.

WRITTEN BY :PRIYANKA CHAUHAN