My views on Reservation/Quota In Higher Education Institutes In India

When I first heard of this reservation or quota system in iit-iim, medicine etc. my reaction was okay another stupid step from politicians. But then media brought it up everyday making me think over it again and again. So finally it reached a stage where I couldnt sleep. So here I'm at 1.34am in night writing this down.
One thing. I am absolutely convinced that this step is not well intended and neither it is being brought up in national interest. Because anyone who can think knows that only major benifit of whole mandal comission episode is division of at-least north and rural india on caste lines.
Here are the few points which make me think why reservations as proposed is politically motivated rather than actually well thought out and well intended plan.
1. There wasnt any agitation small or big going on in favor of this proposed reservation
2. How many people it will really benefit few 100s or may be 1000s but what about 750M strong SC/ST and OBCs?
3. There were few elections coming up. But I suspect its not becuase of these elections but the big one staring next year. U.P. the state which votes strictly on caste lines. (May be after Bihar)

But why should i be bothered? Im working in one of the best MNC in the world. Option to sattle abroad any day. Hey its not affecting me. Okay. But in India if you don't oppose that means you agree. Here the loudest voice will have its way. Because if we wont oppose they will come up with another thing like reservations in private sector. Well even that wont matter. Bcoz Im in MNC and I know if ill be in top 50% im safe. What a selfish thinking I've. I feel ashamed. But this is how most of us thinks. I guess.

But friends what apalled me was courageless, spineless, mouthless leadership of all the political parties. None, absolutely none. No political party cameout opposing it in national interest. Have they stopped seeing national interest or their only interest is power? I'm watching this happening everyday. No party, NGO, institute or anyone... even those who claim to be nationalist parties... those who claim to be nationalist institute and who has bharat mata at their heart are mum and not uttering single word. I'm saying convince me by argument that reservation is the way to make india a homogeneus state! I'm all for making india a homogeneus state. Where everyone is same. No one in train would ask me my last name. When I goto complain about noise pollution Police Inspector wont ask me if I'm Muslim. But is this the way? Are we solving the problem or creating bigger one? British went but taught their methods to rule to these thugs.

Why I'm opposed to this method of solving india's disparity.
1. Data being taken is very stale. Its almost 30 years means 1 generation old. In between indian economy has liberalised. So we need latest data and sample before we go any further.
2. It doesn't take all the factors into consideration. Means it just sees what's your caste not where did you study ? Which city or villege you are from? It seems perpetual
-I studied in local language. Im not from english medium. My ex was from same school, her father was making more money than my dad. She had access to all the resources what I had and definitely she was more brilliant than me. But she was OBC and she got into same college as mine because of her OBC status. Did it really serve the purpose? Ok. It did. I could see here almost every day for 4 years :)

Here is my point. Make the system fairer. those who have studied in private school, in semi-urban or urban centers should by default get converted into general category. Because once the level playing field it laid down there shouldnt be un-due advantages. About economic status. I guess its debateable. We not only want affluents but also those in middle class out of this reservation game. But you cannot apply same yard stick across india because 60000Rs/Annum income in village may be decent but paltry in any metro. So you should apply reasonable standard. Orphan Brahmin, Rajput kid is at equal disadvantage as any poor SC/ST/OBC kid. What about them?

Another valid argument is you are given reservation at under graduate level. There shouldn't be any reservation for post graduate. Then tomorrow you will say there will seperate queues at railway stations for SC/ST/OBCs. Sport people will be selected based on their caste and creed not on their performance.

So here is my list of items which should also be taken into account if you want to give reservation.

1. Place where he/she lives
2. Type of School where he/she studied (government needs to classify them. use crisil i wont trust anyone else :D)
3.His/Her income (not absurd 4-5lakhs even a lakh in rural area is decent to provide decent education. My father's last paycheck was 8000+)

Another point is that once father or mother have taken the benefit of reservation their family should be converted into general category. Reservation is suppose to create level playing field. It shouldnt be used as an instrument of reverse descrimination.

We should talk and act in such a way that india becomes a homogeneus society. Another apalling thing to see on TV Channels is the way learned FM supporting reservation, PM keeping mum as of he has been put gun on his turban and asked not to utter a word. In whole episode I found 2 ppl with courage. 1. Sam Pitroda 2. Delhi's Shiv Sena chief.

As Sam said no one disagrees about end result. Issue is means is neither justified nor looks well intentioned, well thought thru if well intentioned.

Another bigger issue I feel is no one is talking about how can we end this menace. Everyone is talking about how can we mess our system more and more. We should have comprehensive survey atleast on the status of SC/STs that have their condition improved in last 60 years or it has remained just as it is. If thats the case we should think beyond reservation.

Will the government admit that it can't think beyond anything else so only thing it can do is reserve seats. But when more than 50% of students drop out of 10th what is the point in reserving seats at IIT and IIMs. It seems it is being done to benefit sons and daughters of IAS, IPS and other reserved category Government Employees. Will Arjun singh divert his energy towards decrease this dropout rate, will he provide more toilets in government schools so that girl children wont dropout because of lack of sanitary facilities? Can he divert his energies to ensure that Teachers are present in school. And all students who are 10th pass knows how to write and read their name in their native language, hindi and english. Because I know many boys and girls who are 10th pass but cant even write their names in those 3 languages. That is the quality of our education.

One funniest thing. Media. Though they are covering all the events I am yet to read article oppossing reservation and its implications. Read few articles like 1 from editor of HT. but it was more like passing thought from him.

See as I view it its litmus test from Congress and arjun singh if they wont find much opposition there is bigger one coming. Reservation in private sector? So are we waiting for that one or we guys need to pull out of our bed?

Why are we so quiet? Isnt it affecting you guys? Or im just getting too involved? Or just crazy idiot who doesnt have to worry about anything so he can worry on all these stupid issues?