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5/19/2006

 

The boon bane of quota

Read on NDTV about Yashpal Jaware's achievement. He is from Nandurbar in Maharashtra: One of the poorest districts, which is notorious for malnutrition deaths.
What most fail to see it that at the end of it all, it is the individual's desire, passion, and industry that count. Take a look what he lists when he talks about his obstacles:

1) Cycling 15 KM a day to the nearest science college.
2) Studying: Power cuts ensured that he couldn't study in the night.
3) Coping with English.

He scored 85% in his CET. I am sure that Yashpal would have made it even without quota. What we need to do though is make sure that the Yashpals of this country have easier access to schools and colleges. How will that happen? Only when the government allows the private sector to set up schools, moderate and police the competition thereof. We also need to minimize power cuts. Again, we have to resort to privatization there.
I empathize with his English language problem. I couldn't frame two sentences when I was in school. Such is the situation in small towns and villages. Also, if you talk in English you will be mocked at. That happens even in Chennai!
A feasible way out is to bring Internet to the schools in villages. Train them in computers and let them explore... I don't know I am just thinking aloud. Or, maybe give them self-help books for free so that they can train themselves in the basics of the language.

That said, isn't it obvious that the real benefit of quota goes to the urban, well-off 'backward-on-paper' students? And, that as long as the government's involvement is minimal, we will do just fine?

Also read:
Imagine no reservations by Atanu Dey
Reservations benefit the upper castes by Anand

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7 Comments:

Blogger Vasu the terrible said...

What machan ? I thought you were capitalist. When did you suddenly start bothering about the yashpals of this country ??

:). Anyway nice to see some positive change. Atleast you are thinking that these guys need to progress in life contrary to your prior argumnet that let the fittest survive and the let the rest go to hell..

congrats suman.

vasu

Friday, May 19, 2006 3:22:00 PM GMT+05:30  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

So a capitalist in Vasu's mind is someone who simply doesn't give a shit about anyone else.

Is there any point even arguing with this person?

Friday, May 19, 2006 5:04:00 PM GMT+05:30  
Blogger Anand said...

Ennayya nee.. link vera panni tholachitte... ippa enakku pudusu pudusa kandabadi comments varudhu.

Friday, May 19, 2006 5:22:00 PM GMT+05:30  
Anonymous Suman said...

Anand manchiko... :-D

Friday, May 19, 2006 5:46:00 PM GMT+05:30  
Blogger Anand said...

Ennavo baa :p

Friday, May 19, 2006 7:36:00 PM GMT+05:30  
Anonymous Cerebral Wanderer said...

Indeed a good blog. However, as a nation we have to ensure that all - irrespective of their financial or social backgrounds - are provided with the benefits of growth and development. There have been solutions such as privatization of education proposed. However, these could be long term solutions. Reservations seems to be the only short term solution. Reservation policy however should include both social as well economic criteria.

Sunday, May 21, 2006 6:06:00 PM GMT+05:30  
Anonymous choot4equality@yahoo.co.in said...

Well check out this �

http://www.geocities.com/choot4equality/

Sunday, July 2, 2006 12:08:00 AM GMT+05:30  

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