The problem is mostly that parents and teachers have expectations for students beyond what most of them are intellectually capable of. There is also an excessive emphasis on empty credentialism. Both problems could be tempered via a recognition that people are not blank slates, some people like Ahaan are simply smarter than others, and the average high schooler should not be compared against him.

I think most people have a hometown that, even if they leave, always know they can go back to and make a simple life for themselves.

I can imagine it being hard to grow up in a place where you have a pretty reasonable expectation of never being able to return to and live in on your own terms, unless you manage to stay the top 1% of the 1%.