Only the good die young

Some of the greatest composers, writers and poets have died in penury.
Some of India's greatest mathematicians and poets have died unsung.
It is only in posterity that history grudgingly recognizes the brilliance of these men and then questions the manner in which they passed on.
Ramanujam was barely 32 or so when he died of tuberculosis. To think of the amazing things the man could have done if someone had seen him for a brilliant mathematician and not some poor brahmin. How many in India actually study what his contributions are to mathematics. I knew about him in school because he was a tamil brahmin, and because he died a young man. I think we had like a chapter on him in school.
The poet/writer Subramaniya Bharathi was barely 39 when he died - A dozen people showed up at his funeral.
I quoted one of his poetries, albeit translated into english, at one of the poetry competitions in school - the rhetoric, the heart-felt need for social change, and the burning pride of nationalism were amongst the foremost messages that come from the man.
Needless to say, I only won first prize but only because I quoted his vision. He was a champion for change and strove to break down the caste barrier. People prefer EVR Naicker's idol breaking ways to Bharathi's peaceful methods. So much for the dravidian gratitude.

It is heart wrenching to see such souls not know what they could have been had they lived their fullest lives. And even so with the marginalization of the tamil brahmin community in dravidian south India with the Periyar effect and what not.

Outside India as well, it must be admitted the best and brightest came when their childhood was filled with poverty, and they had to fight their way to the top based on pure genius. And true genius finds a way, and has many takers in today's world. A lot of today's "geniuses" are products of schools that tend to push them out the door like production lines. Solving problems are a banal task - The best and brightest are the ones who conjure up the problems - and then find a way to resolve them. The latter in my mind isn't as important as the former. That is the difference between a guy who does research and the guy who has a job at the office - some luxuries are to be afforded to research on account of the nature of the job. The research culture is non-existent in India. We are all glorified IT coolies.

Creativity finds its outlets when people are pushed to corners - to think differently and to come up with solutions. I don't think Einstein ever did anything without the love for it.

Identify, appreciate and nurture talent. But don't let people get over their heads because of it. The worth of the individual is only as long as he/she contributes significantly in any domain. And look through the rocks - you will find the diamonds you oh-so-badly need. And appreciate if for what they can do for you, not for who they are or where they come from.