So, why must I study this ?

A recent conversation with my peers at college got me thinking about the reason many colleges have subjects which have absolutely no relation with the rest of the course curriculum. Lets take an example. I love a subject, say X. I have read a lot of books on it, and elsewhere in the world its uses are profound. 

But when I face the same course in my college, the love turns to hate. Its a great subject, yes it is. But its NOT NEEDED. Why does an IT engineer have to score good marks in subjects like chemistry or physics, I understand not. We shall more likely land on the moon rather than use this knowledge in our careers. Then why do we spend so much of time and effort on a (forgive if I am wrong) useless subject ? If the same amount of time and effort is used on including more practical aspects of theoretical subjects, or to improve the implementation of the learnt concepts, the output per unit time shall be more, where it counts. Also, this shall leave more time for all round growth of an individual. Hobbies can be taken up, extra-curricular events can be held. There is more to the world out there than rote-learning, and its time the colleges realized that.

Too much of Mr. Heisenberg ?

Whose fault is this ? I cannot say. Its an amalgamation of old ideas and old ideals. But what can we do ? We are not Anna Hazare, we cannot protest openly. The resentment in our hearts remains. Yet, there is hope. If more and more people realize that this utter wastage of time, effort and money, maybe change can dawn on college education in India. 

In stark comparison, consider the curriculum in Stanford ( here ). This leaves nothing to be said. If we are to attain the same heights as those greats have done, then we need to change. And not a small feeble attempt at change to appease the masses, as we see more often than not. College education even in premier Indian colleges, institutes and universities needs to see major changes. Mr Sibal, listening ?