The R-Word

We have been seeing the R-word everyday on most of the news channels and newspapers. It doesn't require a Sherlock Holmes to figure out what I'm posting about.

Yes, you are absolutely right.

Disclaimer : The below post is my individual opinion, where I have tried to be as objective as possible. In case, I offend some one or community unkowingly, please pardon me.

The root cause for this started centuries back, in the name of "Varnashrama", which was totally misinterpreted by a generation or two in the middle and voila! here we are.

Instead of dwelling in the past, let us look at the present and more importantly the future.

What is development? Development is one which affects the whole nation as a whole and not only a section of its populace. Well, has India developed? Yes and No ...
We still have the social divide and the Urban - Rural divide. We are seeing a section of the society prospering and reaping the fruits of most of the development.

This was precisely the reason why the "R-word" was brought into our country... So that development reaches all the sections of the society. This was supposed to be a short term measure.

Has the R-Word worked in our society?
The answer is a feeble "yes" during the first few years and an emphatic "No" these days.
The main reason it has failed in recent times, is due to it missing the intended audience.
The general perception among people is that this facility is being used by generations belonging to the same family, just like ancestral property.

Is it reaching the person in the village, who prepared for the exams studying in the street light?
The perception is NO.
If this person belongs to that section of society, which does not have this facility, what will be his chances?? hmmm ... this is food for thought as well.....

As all of us know, that there's a move to extend this facility in higher education , especially in premier institutions of Excellence and there are a lot of protests against this move.

Are these protests justified?? Maybe. Apparently this move seems to have been done with an ulterior motive, other than "Social Justice" and also perceived to be done to satisfy one man's ego. But the manner in which the protestors have been mocking other professions, which is against the "Dignity of Labour" doesn't help a bit. It makes us think that "Social Equality" is still a dream.

Does any political party have any guts to review this policy and study its impact? I don't think so. If I'm running a political party, why would I do something which will impact my electoral chances. Seems very logical .....

The point that half of the facilities provided are not being used indicates that something's not happening at a fundamental level. Primary and Secondary schools have the largest number of drop-outs belonging to these parts of the society. Is this facility working at all??

My personal opinion to strengthen our society is :
1. Provide extra care to people belonging to these parts of the society and ensure that they have sufficient perks and interest to complete primary and secondary education.
2. This facility should be there till the graduation level, while ensuring that only deserving people from these parts of the society avail this facility.
3. Extend this facility to those people from the other parts of the Society, who are economically weak and deserving
4. This facility should not exist in post-graduation and above. Deserving candidates from these parts of the society should be awarded scholarships and provided the best possible coaching so that they can compete with the best and showcase their talents.
5. In case some part of these facilities are not used by the intended audience, allow other people to use them.

But why might be the reasons for this honorable intention to not succeed as expected?

1. Non-participation of educated masses in electoral process . I have seen people in my native village getting excited about voting in elections and they do it in huge numbers. What about my fellow urban-dwellers ?? Most of the educated people prefer to doze off in the afternoon, rather vote. Thankfully, this trend is changing these days.
2. Illiteracy and ignorance prevalent in our society. People in some villages still believe that people who passed away 2 decades back, are still alive as they appear on TV.
3. Rampant corruption . I'm not blaming the officials, but us the citizens, who started this trend as we were lazy to stand in queues and started this.
4. One thing I'm certain about, is that we have inherited the "Divide and Rule" concept from the British. The perception is that this is being practised very effectively, thus dividing us Indians on many fronts. "Unity in Diversity" in some occassions seems to be an illusion :-( ...

I know that these issues will not get solved by just posting a blog. But, these can be solved if we the Youth of India stand up and get counted.

In terms of a software project, this project's objective is "Development", the client is our Country and the team's strength is "One billion" and our Prez is the Delivery Manager. Let's deliver this project without any slippages and ensure that the finished product is of a very high quality.

We are the people who'll be bureaucrats, politicians, ministers and Presidents in the future and I believe that it's only us who can ensure development to all parts of the society albeit the R-Word.

Jai Hind !!!!

May all our dreams come true and this great country become the greatest in this Universe.