Monday 25 May 2015

"WHERE MERIT MATTERS"

“Where Merit Matters”
Raghav goes to IIM, Ahmedabad
By
J.L. Gupta

Some time back, Raghav, a young man of promise was seeking admission to a particular College in the Delhi University. Thanks to the policy for admission under which merit is sacrificed, he could not succeed despite a score of +96% in the Board examination. However, he was getting an attractive offer for admission to Berkley. He decided not to go out of India. Continued studies at Delhi. This year, as a result of the competitive examination, Raghav was selected for admission to the IIM, Ahmedabd. Here is a picture from the family Album showing four generations. These include  the fond father Piyush; grand father and the great grand mother Smt. Kamlesh Mittal.




                     Father Piyush Mittal, Grand father V.P. Mittal; Great grand mother & Raghav.




                  

The young man is hardworking, honest and a perfect picture of promise. The family, especially his mother Leena worked hard to create the right environment in the house.  But full credit must be given to Raghav. He has worked like a horse and lived like a hermit. And the resultant success speaks for itself. It also exposes the chinks in our policies for admission to the educational institutions. We claim to be a democratic republic. Yet, the ‘majority’ does not enjoy the rights, which the Minorities and weaker sections of society have. Merit is sacrificed to promote Mediocrity. It is continued because of vote bank politics. How long shall we continue the archaic policies which are certainly doing harm but no good to anyone in the country? Does anyone ever imagine the disappointment, distress and frustration that these retrograde policies lead to?  The politicians and the bureaucrats have their own reasons.

But well done Raghav! Thank God IIMs still give hope to the good.



6 comments:

  1. Raghav: of Lord Rama, the enlightened one - felicitations to you, my friend! Here's to a glorious career of country before self and ethics before economics. After all , the 'Golden Bird' of yore will be restored to its rightful glory by young jewels like you who possess focus and discipline , conscience and passion.

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  2. Many congratulations to Raghav and the entire family. Well done. Its a matter of great pride and is reflective of all the hard work that would have been done by him and the entire family especially his mother in supporting him, encouraging him and providing the right environment. With regard to reservation, it is true that many bright and deserving people are denied opportunities at the alter of reservation and there is dire need for change. However, I do have sympathy for a section of population which just cannot compete with others because they have been disadvantaged due to lack of similar educational opportunities and environment at every stage. My maid's 13 year old daughter in India attends a sarkari school in the daytime and sweeps homes in the evening. I cannot imagine her competing and doing well with such a difficult environment. While we must create the right opportunities, I think reservation on the basis of class perhaps and to some extent caste (not religion though) may be needed.However in no circumstances should it go beyond one generation.

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    1. Monica ji,

      There is no need to change the "in-place" reservation system for the marginalized in our society. It is working well and has benefitted that weaker sector in spite of possible vote-bank politics. What needed though is a change in attitude of elitists, privileged and well-offs to accept the idea of special-preferential-elevating provisions for those they once oppressed. Further, the effectiveness of this affirmative action cannot be gauged by "one generation", as you suggest, or by any random timetable. The system started initially for 5 years but it must, in my opinion, continue until the under-privileged communities are economically at par with the majority and able to choose “Sarkari “ or private schools and tutors for their children. Only then the meritocracy can begin.

      Jai Hind

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    2. Monicaji,

      On another note: People still refer to their house cleaner/house keeper as «my maid". Colonial terms Maid and servant are P I terms and are now considered by many, including me, as offensive and derogatory.

      It would seem that you are stationed outside India perhaps on a government mission and have taken a "maid" with you. Hopefully lessons were learned from the despicable saga of Devyani Khobragade.

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  3. While it was commendable of your grand nephew Raghav who preferred IIM Ahmedabad over Berkeley, it showed that he had a choice and that his parents could well afford the expenses if Raghav so desired. In any event Raghav did remarkably well for himself and I offer my congratulation to him and his proud family.

    Uncleji, the only thing that ruffles me is your current views on the reservation system in India. I had believed that the high-profile judiciary officers who were once entrusted with upholding and applying the spirit of our Constitution would continue to endorse its essence even after retiring. Nonetheless, you have every right to your opinion on this issue as a private citizen.

    The noble purpose of the affirmative action included in our Constitution by the Elders was to uplift those who were historically oppressed and denied respect and equal opportunity in Indian Society. Although the reservation system disappointed many in elite and privileged classes, it definitely has helped many from the under-privileged and marginalized communities. There had to be a mechanism to provide social justice to students from such communities because without it they would have limited odds to be admitted to higher education when competing against those who were educated and tutored in private schools. To bring them to an equal opportunity level it required elevating a section or decelerating another, regardless of merit.

    In a true democracy the rights of the minorities have to be safeguarded by the majority at all costs even by forfeiting some of their advantages. Someone rightly said: “The test of courage comes when we are in the minority but the test of tolerance comes when we are in the majority”. And Mark Twain said: “Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect.”

    Jai Hind

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  4. Our success is not entirely dependent on our capabilities . There are other seen and unseen factors which lead us to where we never thought of reaching . Well done Raghav !

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