There can be only one solution to this entire mess....
1) Abolish entire caste system and reservation. Make it completely illegal... Anyway, this won't happen
OR
2) Divide the country into two, one part for all OBCs/SC/STs and another for only general merit people. All big industries / educational institutes / hospitals etc owned and / or managed by general merit to be shifted to general merit part. We shall see who thrives and who flourishes. Let all general merit / the 'branded upper caste' form an Israel inside India. Anyone under any form of reservation goes to the other part. Politicians have created virtual boundaries, time for us to create a real one!
You want a level playing field, provide quality education to all - from kindergarten to "higher studies".
One idea ...We are looking at a developed India. We are encouraging corporate growth to pump in finance and job oppurtunities. Why not make it mandatory for companies,partnerships,proprietorships to support education - in proportion to the size of their organization. Lets not make it an MNC versus Indian Company issue. Lets make it corporate social responsibility. For this is really where we can gather some money - you make money making toothpaste or creating software or running a kirana dukaan - you make sure you pay your way in the country that you make it in. Create a future generation of capable Indians. Support education - in villages, in slums, in metros. Buy and maintain desks and labs, pay good salaries to teachers, provide uniforms,decent food to kids. This is non-governmental. No bribery corruption. Indeed bigger organizations could have staff dedicated to this happening without any corruption. Now THAT is a reservation - 10% staff dedicated to educating the next generation. Their promotions & bonuses based on the results and transparency.
Scholarships, specially in foreign academic institutions are given on the basis of merit. In some cases financial background is considered. No true academician would care about the genetics of his colleague - whether student or faculty or staff!
Sure we have issues of colour and race all over the world, but to actually find a reason to divide ourselves based on caste seems amazingly petty to me. Just because we cannot divide ourselves on colour, wheatish and dark brown - both being shades of brown - we choose man made divisions : caste, religion, language ... and before anyone says anything, I accept that religion has become a worldwide issue too, more's the pity.
The suggestion to have 100% reserved institutions seems to me a sound idea - if you wish to bring in a level playing field, it needs to be level for all "castes". Are all so called "forward" castes allowed into institutes such as IIT irrespective of their merit, simply because they are "BRAHMINS"? So why does merit get waived for non-forward classes?
You seem to be more worried for your own image than real upliftment of OBC/SC/ST.
I am Mechanical Engg. Graduate from REC Surat passed out with first class in year 1989. I am an Adivasi person. In fact in my batch in the first year exam (Common subjects are taught) I was topper in Civil Engg Technique and Electrical Technologies subject. In fact, our batch completed the Engg. Degree Course in 3½ years time due to late start of college sessions in Dec' 85/Early 1986; due to similar Anti-Reservation stir in Gujarat in 1985. I do not agree with your view that SC/ST reserved students cannot perform or they require further academic concessions. In fact, no students could dare me on academic matters. My friends, mostly General/Brahmins students encouraged me to aim for higher.
Dear Sir, in India Colour and Caste matters more than anything else. You may have doubts; not everybody. Have you read an article published on 6th May in 'times of india'; How a Tribal Student( a SC student aslo) did not get admission in AIIMS despite scoring 62%whereas a General student got"Gynic" course securing 44%.
I think this article is an excellent representation of what the masses of us think.. I hope the message reaches to the people who has people destinies in there hands.. Hats off to Sir.
I think reservation made for caste wise should be totally removed as since the day of freedom quite enough facilities they got and enough chance they have been given to uplift them.now when they are expecting everything at same level and standard why should they expect this reservation.let them come up on their merits.let them prove themselves,reservation should be give only to those who are talented but only due to financial incapability they cant proceed.only econimically backward peopled should be given reservation.those who really deserve.not schedule cast.
really a good and thoughtful message Sir.people of India sholud be taught to respect themselves for their intelligence and achievements rather than falling prey to the politicians who create their votebanks by discriminating and dividing.stop this division any further and put everybody at the same level. Huma Anwar
