Reservations

Reservations in Central Govt. Funded Universities including IITs and IIMs.

A sensitive topic. So, let me try to be as careful as i can be. Let me make one thing clear at the very start, it is a topic which has been hotly debated ever since Independence and still continues to raise such a ruckus even today. Thus, a small essay can hardly cover all angles. Dont expect this to be an exhaustive piece.

My suggestion is this. Just skim through the whole thing and read whatever catches yore attention, unless you have the time to read the whole thing.

Feelings and Sentiments. Omnipresent. Whatever be the issue, we Indians believe in arguing from the bottom of our hearts. So, let me too start with feelings and sentiments.

Let us begin with what an OC candidate believes. I dont need to say much on this, 'coz innumerable people have already vented their anger as far as this goes. For instance, read what Divya Rao has to say about it.

What does this 49.5% signify? Reservations are such a horror to many an OC candidates, that the very mention of the word brings back bitter memories of defeat in the hands of an unworthy opponent, harsh realities of our soceity and the stink of political manipulation.

Wait.

49.5% Reservations, are not just for the so called SC/ST candidates. It is more ambitious than that. The Indian Government plans to put lots of BC and OBC people under the banner of 'socially and economically backward' classes and also at the same time provide an educational incentive for them.

Whats the real picture now. I am from IITM and almost 30% of my batch are OBC or BC. And they have made it without reservations! Henceforth, getting through tough exams is being made much easier for them. But in the trade off, they have to wear the 'Reservation' tag. I wonder how many people would really want to be looked down upon as a reservation category guy although he/she has enough talent to make it without such incentive.

Now, coming to the people who will benefit from such an act. Most people, seem to divide this already divided class into two categories:
A) Creamy Layer : This is essentially a third generation of Candidates whose previous two generations have taken advantage (fortunately or unfortunately) of the reservation system. Thus, these third generation candidates are on par with most OC candidates in today's world. Gaining access to the same coaching classes, having the same material to prepare from and having the same oppurtunities as most OC candidates.

I strongly suggest that such candidates shouldnt get the reservation advantage. What can we do to ensure something like that? I think that the reservation advantage should be limited to two generations in the same family. A guy from a backward caste uses the system, comes upto to some point in his life, then his son may go ahead and use the system. After this, having a grand parent and a parent educated from a reputable institute should in all ways indicate to a balanced growth of any person. A person who grows up like this, shouldnt be allowed to use the reservation system. And i dont think it is that hard to have a control policy checking for two generations of used up reservation credit. If the candidate still needs such incentives, going on his herediatary, he is not worthy enough to waste a seat on.

B) The Other Layer : This is the mass of India. The Chunk of India. I read in this blog that 70% of Indian population is going to come under the umbrella of Backward Classes. Reservation System was started with this chunk in mind. And i have seen people being exploited and deprived in the name of caste. It is such people who truly deserve such an incentive. But, how can we make sure that the intended perk does reach these people. To answer this question effectively, one needs to first tackle the whole caste system. Removing fear from the hearts and minds of thousands of people who have seen their kin killed mercilessly just on the whims of a handful is definitely a BIIIG challenge. Before it is done, one cannot expect the true aim of reservations being fulfilled.

Now, let us look at a bigger picture and detach ourselves from unnecessary sentiments. I have already done it, this is a formal announcement for you all to do the same. 'Coz in the ensuing passages, i talk little about sentiments.

50%. 1 out of every 2 guys is going to be a person who doesnt deserve to be in a place which has excellence as its mission statement. Most of these people would have learnt that they can get into IIT/IIM even with a patchy 40% and thus the kind of attitude that we would be inculcating in the generations to come is not something 'progressive'. We are teaching our people that without working hard, one could still enjoy a wealthy tag like IIT or IIM.

50%. Most deserving candidates who have true interest in becoming managers and engineers would lose out in this race where birth would be given obvious preference. They too inevitably will become a different species which believe that working hard is not worth the effort!

50% is ridiculously huge. Have reservations, but do you need 50%?? Have something lesser and aim to reduce it as we move along. Having reservations breeds a whole new speices who believe in birth and not hardwork! Thus, it is something that must be reduced progressively.

Look at it any way. We are giving birth to a system that shall advocate complacency. And with the sensex on a bull ride, we dont really want to do that, do we? With, China battling with us to become a power hub, we cant afford to do that, can we?

Also, i would to point to a very serious issue raised by Ratan Tata. BRAIN DRAIN. With the educational system in India losing its golden shine, most minds wouldnt want to subject themselves to intimidation from a lesser mortal. It is only natural that they seek their excellence elsewhere, whatever be the cost. It is going to be a turbocharger for the brain drain. For a country that has just got over from the shocks of its first brain drain, it would be too much of a blow to handle.

Afternotes:
There is so much more to write, but i am sure dear reader that you are already waiting for this blog to end. So, shall it be. Let me leave this thing incomplete, afterall i need to stick to what i said in the first para!
( Sorry, i have made only one suggestion. I'll leave the rest for the future.)

I have taken it for granted that the standard are bound to fall if reservation of 50% is to come into effect. It might not be that obvious, although it is not too difficult a statement to prove. You have Allahabad University as a standing example.