Srinagar, May 16 -- "I am not prepared for anything for tomorrow's paper. I need to hurry home," said an uneasy Arsalan as he and his below-average friend, Haris, walked back home from school.

"You know I solely count on you, Arsalan. Otherwise, I'll fail."

There was a pause before Haris added, "But we can make a deal. I'll learn one of the four chapters and you learn the remaining."

"Thanks a million, but I reject an offer that is nearly fatal."

"Okay, fine." Haris quietly took his deal back.

Arsalan vividly remembers the first time Haris offered this kind of help to him.

Two years ago, in 7th standard, they were supposed to prepare a daunting volume of six chapters from their social studies subject for the mid-term exam. Haris cam...