Sometimes the consequences of human action are so eerily surreal that evanescence of the motive is the only apparent thing. Logic, in such aphotic circumstances, provides a solution, an epiphany, which justifies the consequences that are often unintentional. The issue of reservation illustrates this very fact.
Reservation, at this moment, is considered more of a political rather than social imperative. Most people are not convinced that politicians have shed their venality and are working towards greater good. They believe it is a gimmick and may be it really is.
Reservation has been an experiment in the Indian history, though not a scientific one, because it lacks statistical data. There has been no formal conspectus to prove whether the experiment has benefited anyone and more importantly, to what extent. Isolated rags to riches stories are not of interest to any scientific mind.
I am not writing this to discuss mundane comments and solutions but some interesting stuff that has come to my attention. For instance, a young medical student from Patna was interviewed by a TV channel. In spite of apparent gaucherie, he put forth a relevant point - Isn’t paid seat concept synonymous to quota regime, a kind of rich-class-quota per se? The question made me realize the extent to which our education system needs a makeover, the urgency of such an action and complete lack of political will and wherewithal.
Vox Populi presently is to provide reservation on economic basis rather than caste. But this is not a pragmatic solution. This is evident from the fact that even in the present scenario, where a lot of people belonging to lower caste have primary education, a significant number of seats remain vacant. If the economic basis is considered, those in worst state of destitution should be provided most seats. Result would be exacerbation of present situation because there is even less probability of finding primary educated individuals in most economically backward class.
Though a lot of solutions are being cited by media to tackle the issue, they more or less require complete restructuring of education system. Obviously political class lacks incentive for carrying out any such excruciatingly difficult task. Little out-of-the-box thinking reveals a better alternative. The power of Globalization has long been overlooked by Indian bureaucrats even though astute entrepreneurs have utilized it to their advantage. The answer then is to take the help of global forces i.e. allow foreign universities to set up shops in India. It will serve dual purpose. One, it will increase the total number of seats and second, it will ensure enforcement of quality.
A possible trade off the government will have to make is not to intervene in functioning of these universities, thereby keeping them fully autonomous. Definitely, a government regulatory organization will be needed to stop fraudulent entry but it will be far easier task. More importantly it can be carried out without affecting status quo, i.e. while grating quotas. Therefore the political motives will not be affected and any possible pernicious consequences will be avoided.
Finally to conclude, contrary to original motives and conspicuous consequences, quota regime may prove beneficial if adequate complementary steps - like one mentioned here – are taken and the scheme is kept less ambitious and time bound.
Reservation, at this moment, is considered more of a political rather than social imperative. Most people are not convinced that politicians have shed their venality and are working towards greater good. They believe it is a gimmick and may be it really is.
Reservation has been an experiment in the Indian history, though not a scientific one, because it lacks statistical data. There has been no formal conspectus to prove whether the experiment has benefited anyone and more importantly, to what extent. Isolated rags to riches stories are not of interest to any scientific mind.
I am not writing this to discuss mundane comments and solutions but some interesting stuff that has come to my attention. For instance, a young medical student from Patna was interviewed by a TV channel. In spite of apparent gaucherie, he put forth a relevant point - Isn’t paid seat concept synonymous to quota regime, a kind of rich-class-quota per se? The question made me realize the extent to which our education system needs a makeover, the urgency of such an action and complete lack of political will and wherewithal.
Vox Populi presently is to provide reservation on economic basis rather than caste. But this is not a pragmatic solution. This is evident from the fact that even in the present scenario, where a lot of people belonging to lower caste have primary education, a significant number of seats remain vacant. If the economic basis is considered, those in worst state of destitution should be provided most seats. Result would be exacerbation of present situation because there is even less probability of finding primary educated individuals in most economically backward class.
Though a lot of solutions are being cited by media to tackle the issue, they more or less require complete restructuring of education system. Obviously political class lacks incentive for carrying out any such excruciatingly difficult task. Little out-of-the-box thinking reveals a better alternative. The power of Globalization has long been overlooked by Indian bureaucrats even though astute entrepreneurs have utilized it to their advantage. The answer then is to take the help of global forces i.e. allow foreign universities to set up shops in India. It will serve dual purpose. One, it will increase the total number of seats and second, it will ensure enforcement of quality.
A possible trade off the government will have to make is not to intervene in functioning of these universities, thereby keeping them fully autonomous. Definitely, a government regulatory organization will be needed to stop fraudulent entry but it will be far easier task. More importantly it can be carried out without affecting status quo, i.e. while grating quotas. Therefore the political motives will not be affected and any possible pernicious consequences will be avoided.
Finally to conclude, contrary to original motives and conspicuous consequences, quota regime may prove beneficial if adequate complementary steps - like one mentioned here – are taken and the scheme is kept less ambitious and time bound.
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