India, Nov. 12 -- Every year, India celebrates National Education Day to honour Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, the country's first education minister after Independence. But has it come down to an occasion, or a calendar event to talk about the transformative power of education? Or should it really be a moment of self-reflection?

A famous saying by him notes, "Be more dedicated to making solid achievements than in running after swift but synthetic happiness." But what does that really mean in 2025, when the world is undergoing a reset and technological advancements are radically reshaping job markets globally?

Particularly in India, where education or any form of learning, is often viewed through a return-on-investment (ROI) lens: Will I get ...