Youth for Equality

Kalam signs quota bill

2007-01-05T01:22:00.000-08:00

The legislation to provide reservations to SC/ST and OBCs in Central educational institutions has become a Law with President Dr A P J Abdul Kalam giving his assent to it. An official release said, reservations in institutions established, maintained or aided by the Central Government will be implemented from 2007 academic session. The law provides for a mandatory increase in seats in Central educational institutions over three years from 2007.

The provisions of the Act would not apply to Central educational institutions established in tribal areas, institutes of excellence, research and that of national and strategic importance, besides the Minority Educational Institutions.

The Central Educational Institutions (Reservation in Admissions) Bill, 2006 was passed by Parliament last month.

http://www.newsonair.com/top_headlines/top_headline-2.htm

Kids are falling off the school map

Hunger Strike from 8 AM morning to 8 PM evening, 19 Dec onwards

2006-12-19T23:41:00.000-08:00

Hi friends,
Please devote ur few minutes to read this....
So finally the the reservation bill is passed and now theres only hope PRESIDENT, that too is a bleak one. Debate and controversy apart, i want to put up one question to everyone, if the basis of reservation is caste rather economical consideration, what will happen to the people from upper caste but financially and economically weak? what will they do? how will they survive? how will they beat the fierce competition? Economical upper hand people will manage the private coaching or something else as argued by quota supporters and weaker and so called weaker section will get benefit of reservation but what about the upper claste financially weak people and these people are in significant number in our country. Plese think over it?

This is a time where we can decide where we would like to go as a nation and as a society. Issue is nothing new its abt reservation law that has been passed our Indian Govt, last Friday. We would request all of you to see this movement and mail as completely non political. It's an issue which severely dividing our nation. Not a single person who ever will receive this mail can say that he don't want to help poor's and helpless people of this country. Most of us are giving taxes to our Govt in 5 and 6 digits. We all believe in equality and casteless society. I am 100% sure that not a single person you have interviewed or will meet personally on party, bus, train or in play ground have ever asked his caste and then start talking to him. We would like to respect each and every individual and his freedom in our society. Never the less exception are every where and few elements in our society may be just for their advantages are doing some thing not matching to the principal of equality of all the citizens of India. We not only condemn to those people and their act but also like to punish then in lawful ways.
Despite of having all these good words and people in our society, out Govt is trying to create a divide which was nearly vanishing from our society. Yes, we are talking abt caste divide. We all know that present Govt is a minority Govt and has been supported by the various political parties. Each of these parties and even opposition would like to have a vote share in democracy. So we don't expect any better from them.
What here we would like to say is, if we would like to see our society as one, our nation as one we yourself have to fight for our rights to live in a peaceful and progressive society. Unfortunately that is not happening.
Last Friday our politicians with the full majority of parliament passed a reservation bill. We don't want to go into the benefits or the beneficial's parties or people, or who will get how much. But my simple point is that, Please don't divide my country or society on caste basis. Mahatma Gandhi ji spent his whole life to fight against British rulers and the social unequalness, and succssed some what in a big way. Even after independence and his death our country worked on same principles and after 50 years we saw that all this caste biased has been virtually eliminated on most of the parts of our nation. This Govt has pushed India abt 100 years back from where Gandhi started. Now we have to raise ourselves and our voice to fight for this injustice which has been made to our society and nation.
12 doctors of AIIMS have started a hunger strike against all this, 12 person have come up against the might of India's central Govt. We would like to support all those people who are there to fight it out. We propose our friends also not to take food from 8 AM morning to 8 PM evening. Take liquid, no probes as we have to work in our offices also. But show your support by this way. Now the question most of you might ask what will happen if we do that. My answer is that it's to clean our souls and body. We have been silently sitting all these kind of wrong things in our society and doing nothing, actually adding our sins. Do not fight it out on roads, do not hamper your work but support these young guys by skipping your meals in a day till these doctors are fighting it out. Can I ask one question to all of you, you have seen our mothers, sisters and wives to fast on karwa choth, have you ever asked them how it is related to their husband's long life. They will answer it's the matter of faith, same I would like to tell you its matter of faith. You do it if you have faith in truth and non violence, if you have faith in God if you have faith in yourself. Empty canteen will never be overlooked and fire will spread across nation and purify our society and nation.
We will start it from tomorrow 19 Dec, Pls forward this to all of your friends, well wishers, bosses, juniors, parents and ask then to cooperate and support. People who have health problems pals don't harm you health. We will appreciate your cooperation otherwise too.
Regards,
People for Casteless society and nation, True Indian

Rajya Sabha passed the Central Educational Institutions (Reservation in Admission) Bill, 2006

2006-12-19T23:00:00.000-08:00

Hunger STRIKE of Docs continues, JNU and DU joined in

NEW DELHI: OBC reservation for admission to Central educational institutions would become a reality from the next academic session. Rajya Sabha on Monday passed the Central Educational Institutions (Reservation in Admission) Bill, 2006. The Lower House had given its nod to the Bill last week.

Hunger STRIKE of Docs continues, JNU and DU joined in

However, in RS, the Bill was opposed by nominated member Chandan Mitra, independents Sharad Joshi, Rahul Bajaj and P C Alexander. In fact, Joshi insisted on a division when S S Ahluwalia pressed for his two amendments. They were defeated with 91 against the amendments and 24 in favour.
Replying to the six-hour debate, HRD minister Arjun Singh expressed inability to accommodate the two amendments moved by Ahluwalia. He said allowing reservation in minority institutions cannot be done since the Constitution does not permit it. Similarly, he said Ahluwalia's second amendment seeking addition of "economically" to the phrase "socially and educationally backward" is not possible.

He said another Bill seeking reservation in unaided educational institutions is ready and is likely to be tabled in the next session. Dwelling on CPM's Brinda Karat's observation that standing committee's recommendation about giving OBC girls and minorities priority is being overlooked, Singh assured her that HRD ministry is planning a comprehensive package for education of girls.

On Karat's suggestion that the power of changing the schedule of exempted institutions should rest with Parliament and not government, Singh said power indeed would be with both the Houses. Mitra said there was no need for the reservation Bill since implementation of Mandal commission report has already started delivering results to some extent.

Terming the Bill "divisive", Mitra said government should instead concentrate on giving free and compulsory education to children. During the debate, Janardan Poojary (Congress) praised Singh for bringing the Bill despite opposition, which he termed was managed and manufactured.

Hunger STRIKE of Docs continues, JNU and DU joined in

Reservation bill passed by LOK SABHA

2006-12-14T22:10:00.000-08:00

So finally Lok Sabha has passed a bill seeking twenty-seven percent reservation for students belonging to Other Backward Classes - OBCs - in Central Educational Institutions. Cutting across party lines, members supported the bill. The Bill was passed by voice vote, rejecting amendments moved by Prof. Vijay Kumar Malhotra, BJP, and his colleagues. In reply to the debate, the Human Resource Development Minister, Mr. Arjun Singh, sought to remove apprehensions that the non-inclusion of minority institutions will not serve the purpose for which the bill has been brought. He said the minority institutions will continue to give admissions to all categories of students.
Biju Janata Dal's T Satpathy was the sole voice of dissent.

Hassle-free passage for OBC quota Bill in LS

The doctors of All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) have started an indefinite hunger strike against the passing of a Bill which reserves 27 per cent seats for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in Central government-aided educational institutions.

27%: Arjun Singh promises Bill for reservation in unaided institutions ‘soon’

"United We Can Win Rally"

2006-11-24T05:04:00.000-08:00

YOUTH FOR EQUALITY ANNOUNCES

"United We Can Win" Rally

from INDIA GATE to RASHTRAPATI BHAWAN

ON 26TH NOVEMBER (SUNDAY) AT 11 AM

BUS FROM POORVANCHAL AND GANGA STOP (JNU) AT 10 AM

BE THERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

Kolkata Students hunger strike enters day 4

2006-09-01T22:49:00.000-07:00

Friday, September 01, 2006 : The hunger strike by the students in Kolkata belonging to The Kolkata medical college and NIT entered its 4th day today. A total of 10 students collapsed. However, the government has shown no interest in initiating talks.
The demands of the students are:-
1. An Apolitical commission reviews the entire quota system and stastically prove that it has worked.
2. The govt follow the directive of the supreme court on this issue
3. The creamy layer be excluded from the benefit of the quotas
4. SUSPENSION OF THE POLICE OFFICER WHO ORDERED A LATHI CHARGE ON 24th, AUG

Protesting doctors, police clash outside SC

2006-08-24T03:18:00.000-07:00

doctors staging a protest against the quota policy clashed with the police outside the Supreme Court on Thursday.

The scuffle began when the police tried to stop the marching doctors from entering the apex court premises.two lady doctors and three others were injured in the showdown.A large section of resident doctors at the Capital's key hospitals, including All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) and Maulana Azad Medical College (MAMC), went on a mass casual leave on Thursday protesting the Centre's decision to introduce reservation in Government-aided educational institutions.

AIIMS officials said healthcare services in the hospital were not affected as faculty members and consultants were running the OPDs and emergency and casulty wards were also functioning.

"We have a contingency plan to meet any eventuality," AIIMS spokesman Shakti Gupta said.Besides the sit-in demonstration, medicos and students had planned to form a human chain outside the Supreme Court demanding its intervention to stop the Government from going ahead with tabling of the bill.
But the police has stopped the doctors and the students from forming the human chain in the Capital.

"We had called off the stir earlier after the Supreme Court intervened. The apex Court should now tell the Government as well to reconsider the decision as the matter is sub judice," spokesperson of resident doctors association of AIIMS, Anil Sharma said.

On Wednesday the doctors had observed a 'black day' by wearing black badges. And on Tuesday they had taken to the streets with 26 being detained after clashes with the police.The protests restarted when the Cabinet decided on Monday to introduce a bill in the ongoing session of Parliament to implement the reservations.

BHU medicos mull anti-quota stir

Police lathicharge students on way to Sonia's house

2006-08-22T22:20:00.000-07:00

A scuffle broke out between policemen and students agitating against the Centre's reservation policy when the protestors were heading towards Congress President Sonia Gandhi's residence.

Police also resorted to firing water cannons and lobbing of tear gas shells to disperse the agitators, who tried to break the security cordon and continue to move towards Gandhi's residence.

students suffered injuries while trying to get away from the tear gas and water cannons.

The students, who hit the streets here after a gap of almost three months to resume their anti-quota agitation a day after Cabinet decided to introduce a Bill in Parliament, wanted to submit a memorandum to Gandhi against the Centre's policy.

Students from Indraprastha University, Jawaharlal Nehru University, IIT-Delhi and from medical colleges converged at Jantar Mantar demanding immediate reversal of the Cabinet decision taken late on Monday night.Chanting anti-Government slogans and holding the tricolour, the agitating students said they would go to any extreme to force the Government to reconsider their decision.

"Earlier, we had called off our agitation following the Supreme Court directive. The apex Court should tell the Government as well to reconsider the Cabinet decision as the matter is sub judice," Anil Sharma, spokesperson of the AIIMS Resident Doctors' Association said.

He said the medicos were considering legal experts and would move the Supreme Court against the Government decision on Wednesday.

Attacking the Government, Sharma said the medicos' agitation will continue with the same intensity as the May anti-quota protests.

"Though we have not decided to go on a strike we are keeping our options open and it would be the last resort," he said adding that students were being mobilised across the country and a national agitation could be launched soon.

Students pin anti-quota hope on Sonia
Around 5,000 students and interns of medical colleges as well as Delhi University are to stage a protest march on Tuesday forenoon against the Government's decision to introduce a bill in Parliament for caste-based reservation in institutions of higher learning.

Anti-Quota Students Take To Streets, So Do Cops With Teargas; Mass Leave At AIIMS Tomorrow

The resident doctors at AIIMS will go on a mass casual leave on August 24 but emergency and casualty services will continue to function as usual," AIIMS Resident Doctors Association spokesperson Anil Sharma said.

We will intensify our agitation and launch surprise protest demonstrations at a different place in a different manner," Jatin Jain of the Indraprastha University said without elaborating

Medicos to launch stir again

2006-08-21T22:14:00.000-07:00

Terming as "unfortunate" the Centre's decision to introduce a Bill in Parliament providing for reservation, medicos said they would launch an agitation on Tuesday to mark their protest.

Medicos gear up to voice protest

They will gather at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi to protest. They are also likely to march to Congress president Sonia Gandhi’s residence to present a memorandum.

Meanwhile, the provision in the quota Bill to keep the "creamy layer" among OBCs outside the reservation scheme was justified by the law ministry in a note citing the Supreme Court judgement which, while upholding the extension of reservations to OBCs in central services, had asked for excluding the "creamy layer".

The OBC leaders would, however, have none of it, with some of the more vocal ones going to the extent of arguing that law making was Parliament’s prerogative.

They also invoked the fear of the extension of "creamy layer" concept to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in what was a patent bid to garner the support of Dalits.

Vehemently opposing the move to deny quota to "creamy layer", they also said that touchstone of reservations policy was social backwardness, and that economic status should not be considered while determining the eligibility of beneficiaries.

The concert helped them carry the day. They were not successful in getting the government to agree to the implantation of the quota in one go, with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh holding firm that only those with infrastructure big enough to afford a 54% increase — the threshold identified to check there was no decrease in the open category seats after the promulgation of quota — should be asked to implement it from the 2007 academic session.

Cabinet clears bill seeking OBC quota

2006-08-21T22:05:00.000-07:00

The Union Cabinet on Monday cleared the Bill proposing to reserve 27% seats in all educational institutions, barring specialised ones, run and aided by Central government after quota hawks stubbed out the suggestion to keep the rich and affluent among the 'backwards' out of the reservation ambit.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1913892.cms

PM has his way, quota Bill cleared, aided and staggered
27%: Bill will be introduced this session and likely to go to Standing Committee, the one on unaided institutions goes back to HRD

DMK and PMK wanted quotas in one go

• Lalu and Paswan didn’t object to staggering

• PM’s line of staggering carried the day

• Arjun wanted quotas for aided and unaided, so did DMK, PMK

• PM kept unaided pending

• No mention of creamy layer: since no party would back it

• Paswan for hiking SC/ST from 22.5 to 25

http://indianexpress.com/story/11154.html

Height of Appeasement

2006-08-18T23:31:00.000-07:00

In a ridiculous move today Government of Maharashtra raised the income limit for the creamy layer from Rs 3 lakhs to Rs 4 lakhs. After this the creamy layer will become non existent. According to the recent announcement a person earning approximately Rs 35,000 per month is downtrodden and lacks opportunities. The most important fact that stares in the face is that even the class 1 government employee’s doesn’t get paid more than 2.5 lakhs per annum. In a clear move to satisfy the unjust demands of rich so called OBCs the government has defied all sorts of logic and reasoning and has gone all out to appease this rich, powerful and mighty lobby of so called OBCs in hope of garnering cheap votes.

It should be noted that Supreme Court had fixed the limit of creamy layer at one lakh which was revised to 2.5 lakhs in the year 2004 and then to 3 lakhs in the year 2005. Now the Maharashtra Government in an effort to champion the cause has gone a step ahead and has raised it to 4 lakhs. Nobody in this government gives a damn to the poor OBCs who will suffer heavily and have been suffering because of this as the major chunk of the benefits of reservation is easily hijacked by the rich and mighty group of so called OBCs. The irony is that media also ignores such important news and nobody seems to bother about it. Reservation in our country has become an effective tool to satisfy the rich and powerful section of the society rather than doing social justice.

Black Day On 14th August 2006

2006-08-11T06:10:00.000-07:00

"Youth For Equality" Chapters across the Globe will go for a Symbolic Protest

Everybody knows that Government is ready to bring the OBC reservation Bill in the ongoing Monsoon Session of the Parliament. Even though the Matter is Subjudice in Supreme Court, there is no bounding on Government to not table the Bill in the Parliament. We need to show our Strength to the Government by Non-Violent Means.

What you need to Do:-

1. Wear Black Clothes on 14th August and show your Protest. Take Pride in being part of the Protest.
2. Students, Professionals, Businessmen, vendors, pensioners, farmers and housewives should take part in the Protest by wearing Black. (At least a Black Ribbon).

How You Can Help:-

1. Don't depend on Internet Alone.
2. Paste Posters.
3. Distribute Pamphlets.
4. Distributing Pamphlets in Person is a huge task, Catch the Newspaper Vendor, Pay him Money, He will put a pamphlet each in Newspapers.
5. Stickers can be pasted on Newspapers.
6. Scroll Headlines in Local Cable TV Channels.
7. Banners in Front of Schools, Colleges and Offices.
8. Loudspeaker Announcements.
9. Put Stalls in front of your colleges, Organizations, Bus Stands and distribute Black Ribbons.
10. E Mails/Internet: Draft a common Mail and post it on all Yahoo Groups, Google Communities, and YFE Blogs etc.

Jai Hind

LATEST:No OBC quota in pvt institutes, phased rollout in IITs, IIMs

2006-08-11T03:23:00.000-07:00

It is becoming increasingly likely that OBC reservation in admission will be confined to government-aided institutions, even as unaided institutions like Symbiosis, Manipal Academy and Tata Institute of Fundamental Research may be left out of the quota umbrella for now.
The government has also decided to roll out quota in aided institutions— IITs, IIMs, AIIMS,Indian Institute of Science, National Institute of Design, School of Planning and Architecture, among others — in a phased manner.
In a resolution of sorts within the divided government, two draft reservation bills — one for aided and another for unaided institutions — have been prepared by the HRD ministry and sent to several ministries for comments. But indications from within the government are that while it would press for the reservation bill on aided institutions in the Monsoon session itself, the one on unaided institutions might get delayed.
The cabinet will take the final call on reservation for ‘creamy layer’ among OBCs. A senior minister said, ‘‘This is the quintessential Congress middle path at work. The private education lobby’s political clout has worked while government can still argue in Parliament that it is serious about reservation in unaided institutions and showcase that bill.’’ He expects the twin bill move to pass muster with allies like DMK and PMK.
While the draft bill for aided institutions proposes staggered quota implementation, the one for unaided institutions pitches for implementation at one go, besides proposing fee and admission norms.

Ministries saw Bills coming

New Delhi: The two draft reservation Bills were received by ministries of social justice, tribal affairs, health and few others on Tuesday.
However, few of these ministries are surprised having received the draft bill on unaided institutions also. Last Wednesday when PM met his senior colleagues on the OBC reservation it was decided that while the bill on aided institutions should be pressed immediately the one on unaided institutions should be prepared by HRD after talking to stakeholders.
HRD, however, brought both the bills since it had carried out a detailed two-day consultation with chancellors and vice-chancellors of 104 deemed universities (both aided and unaided) in the first week of May where 93rd Constitutional Amendment was discussed threadbare.
At the end of the meeting it was unanimously resolved that deemed universities would work towards fulfilling the mandate of constitutional amendment which sought reservation in admission for SCs/STs and socially and educationally backward.

IITs, IISc seek Rs 5,520 cr to double seats

2006-08-07T03:03:00.000-07:00

The Indian Institute of Science (IISc) and the IITs will double their student intake from 38,500 to 60,600 in five years at a cost of Rs 5,520 crore.
This is being done to comply with the annexures to the interim report of the Veerappa Moily committee on reservation in higher education.

The report projects a total requirement of Rs 9,640 crore for all technical educational institutions and seeks a three-year time frame to implement the 54 per cent seat expansion.

The figure for IITs, IIMs, medical colleges and central and agricultural universities put together touches Rs 16,000 crore. Except medical colleges and agricultural universities, which will bring in the changes in two years, all other institutes want a 3-5-year time-frame.

The IITs and IISc have said their total approved intake for 2006-2007 was 12,813 which would increase by 7,390. But it is silent on the exact number of additional students to be admitted next year.

However it gives a break up of the number of teachers who are to be recruited over a period of five years. The estimated total additional faculty requirement spread over five years is 3,200.

Similarly, in the case of the National Institutes of Technology (NIT), the total cost requirement has been put at Rs 3,385 crore, with the student intake to increase from the present 49,185 to 76,000 in five years.

The report says 2,000 additional faculty members would be required over the period. Other central government technical educational institutions have asked for about Rs 735 crore and 500 additional faculty members.

The report recommends relaxation of retirement of the faculty to 65 years, re-employing retired faculty up to 70 years, securing services of ad hoc and visiting faculty, adopting large classrooms with tutorial sections, utilising the services of senior research scholars for assistance in teaching and tutorials, establishing virtual classrooms and starting e-learning facilities .

IIMs: IIMs, on their part, have asked for Rs 611.46 crore spread over four years to effect 54 per cent expansion in seats. They have also asked for full freedom to fill faculty positions based on a teacher to student ratio of 1:7. The interim report of the committee has incorporated these demands in its recommendations.

Central universities: About Rs 2,000 crore has been demanded for 54 per cent expansion in seats in 17 central universities.

Medical colleges: The central medical colleges have asked for Rs 2,442.05 crore to implement expansion over two years. With the expansion, seats in medical colleges will increase from the present 355 seats to 546. Post graduate seats will rise from 1,173 to 1,771.

Agricultural universities: The four colleges under the Central Agricultural University, Imphal, and the IARI New Delhi, IVRI Izatnagar, NDRI Karnal and CIFE Mumbai have projected expansion in seats over a period of three years. The total fund requirement sought is Rs 194.6 crore.

While Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, has agreed to increase 18 per cent seats in the first year for PG and PhD, 36 per cent would be increased in the second year.

IVRI, Izatnagar, and NDRI, Karnal, have also made similar commitments. The latter, however, is to increase 54 per cent seats at the undergraduate level from next year itself.

Seminar at IIT Delhi

2006-07-31T22:45:00.000-07:00

At a recent gathering of faculty and alumni of Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Delhi, known journalist, author and parliamentarian, Arun Shourie spoke on the issue of caste based reservation in the institutions of higher learning.

Shourie opined that caste based quota in IITs and other reputed national institutions will cause irretrievable harm to these institutions. He urged the alumni to speak up against such policies. He said: ‘‘Today, legitimacy and authority are with professionals who are spurring economic growth. While their primary responsibility is to excel in their profession they have a vital secondary responsibility to question the powers that are being used wrongly.’’
Indiresan, former director of IIT Chennai, emphasised that quota and help must be confined only to families, which are below the poverty line.
Earlier in his welcome address, S S Murthy, president of the faculty forum of IIT Delhi, informed the audience that the faculty forum and alumni association are jointly planning a series of seminars on the impact of proposed reservation policy on IITs.

IIT-Bombay director points to holes

2006-07-30T23:01:00.000-07:00

In an interview with TOI , director of Indian Institute of Technology-Bombay professor Ashok Misra was emphatic that the Powai campus will not be able to cope with such an influx.

• What will implementing the new quota policy mean for IIT-B in terms of student intake? Presently, we take in 574 undergraduate students. Of these, 129 seats are for reserved category students. To ensure that the number of seats for the general category remains constant, our annual intake will rise to 890.

• Does IIT-B manage to fill all 129 SC/ST seats? Through the JEE, we manage to fill about 50% of the seats. Then we lower the cutoff and select students for a one-year preparatory course. After this, students take another test and those who qualify are admitted.

• What about students at the post-graduate level? We are not aware whether the reservation policy is to be implemented at that level.

• Assuming that the policy is to be implemented only at the undergraduate level, what will the campus population be on any given day? With the increase, there will be 1,300-1,400 additional students. We have also hiked our intake for PhD fellows from 700 to 1200 recently. If quota is applied at PG level (MTech and PhD), on any given day, there will be 3,000 more students on campus.

• Does the institute have the infrastructure to cope with this increased intake? More students would mean not just more space, but also more teachers, classrooms, electricity, computers and laboratory equipment, besides more hostels, faculty rooms and housing. Today, we have about 5,000 students on campus-with the expansion we’ll have 3,000 more. This campus cannot take 8,000 kids. However, we can carry out some expansion in a phased manner.

• What about the faculty? IIT-B is already short of 100 faculty members. To maintain a 1:9 teacher-student ratio, as approved by the HRD ministry, we need about 540 faculty as opposed to the 400 now. If the intake is increased (BTech and MTech included), we will need 330 more faculty members. Also, we’ll have to construct more staff rooms and on-campus housing for them.

• Why have you not been able to raise your staff strength? We regularly advertise for faculty and get applications, but we don’t compromise quality. Also, each year, about 10 to 15 faculty members retire.

• Is there any recent study on the performance of reserved category students? We have not conducted a detailed study. But we will now carry out one, including looking at their performance during placements.

Quota rush may hit SGPGI recognition

2006-07-30T22:59:00.000-07:00

The Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences (SGPGIMS) will lose its Medical Council of India recognition if any attempt is made to increase the number of seats without enhancing the infrastructure and faculty strength.

Rated among the top medical institutions in the country, the SGPGIMS is the only institute in Uttar Pradesh delivering state-of-art tertiary medical care, super-speciality teaching, training and research.

It has been a pioneer in the field of tele-medicine and only place in the state where kidney and liver transplant is being done.

But Uttar Pradesh will lose its gem to the backward quota politics, feel faculty members. According to MCI guidelines, the teacher-taught ratio in super-speciality medical institutes should be 1:1.

But imagine if seats are doubled in one go, as has been indicated by the Moily oversight committee. "Doubling the seats would be like creating another SGPGIMS and would require an investment of over Rs 1,000 crore," said a senior professor.

"With this money, government could do a lot in the field of primary education and empowerment of the needy people, instead of providing extra benefit to a handful of OBC students who are already fullfledged doctors with MBBS and MD/MS degrees," the professor added.

Not to forget the risk to the patients. "Imagine the scene five years from now when under-trained doctors coming out of the institute will spread all over the country and treat patients and teach in medical colleges with their half-baked knowledge," he said.

Updates...

2006-07-30T22:48:00.000-07:00

IIMs seek Rs 500 cr, 4 years for reservation
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1827171.cms

Roll out quota in phases, panel to govt
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1822835.cms

Committee submits report to PM
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1822372.cms

NID too said , cant handle quota

2006-07-30T22:33:00.000-07:00

Shortage of faculty and resources is already a bone of contention between students and management of the prestigious National Institute of Design.

Things are bound to take a turn for the worse if the institute finds itself bound by the Veerappa Moily Oversight Committee’s decision to implement the 27% OBC quota in one go.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1823107.cms

Other links...

IIMS DENIAL
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1819249.cms

NITIE rejects new quota system
http://www.youthforequality.in/newsdetail.jsp?id=95

IITs were the first who denied the new Quota in its present form spearheaded by IITK who was the first among equals to say no to quotas, even IITK's profs had written a letter to PRESIDENT demanding the rollback of quotas.

We can only stagger quota, says IIM-B

2006-07-27T01:43:00.000-07:00

BANGALORE: Joining league with five other IIMs, the Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore, on Wednesday made it clear that it was impossible to implement HRD minister Arjun Singh’s proposal of 27% quota in one go. full story...

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1819249.cms

“EQUALITY & EXCELLENCE” DAY CELEBRATION by IIT Delhi

2006-07-24T22:40:00.000-07:00

ARISE, AWAKE, UNITE & STAND AGAINST INJUSTICE

Don’t think what country can give to you; think what you can give to your country.

Be a part of this revolutionary initiation…. A PEACEFUL MARCH with EQUALITY STATUE from

IIT Delhi to AIIMS

26th July, 2006
Keynote speaker - Dr. Sam Pitroda

Schedule:
• Assembly at IIT Main Gate : 09:30 hrs
• March from IIT Main gate to AIIMS: 10:30-12:30 hrs
• Installation of statue at Samanta Chowk, AIIMS: 13:30 hrs
• Rally will be lead by Mr. Omesh Saigal, Ex Chief Secretary Delhi.

Contact: 9811644874, 9899314807, 9968050904, 011-65042882 saranshprateek@gmail.com , apna_punit@yahoo.com

We have to define and build our future otherwise someone else will…

The youth ain’t sleeping : TOI article

2006-07-24T22:35:00.000-07:00

The mass movement that had everybody talking about the youngsters’ protests against reservations and fight for equality may not be making headlines today. But, don’t think that GenNext is sleeping. They say, it is the silence before a thunderstorm.
As youngsters, all of us have had our share of ups and downs. Similar is the case with today’s youngsters. They learnt bitter lessons while they were protesting and have started anew with a fresh zeal now. DT speaks to the Youth For Equality (YFE) coordinators of Delhi and finds out what have they been up to all this while and about future proceedings of YFE.

We were misunderstood

“We are not anti-reservation, we were tagged so. We want a fair system and are fighting for equality. We are trying hard to shed the image that we are anti-reservation, but pro-equality,” says Jiten Jain, IP University chapter co-ordinator.

Impediments in proceedings

Jiten says, “There were obstacles, but we treated them as stepping stones. There were weaknesses but we converted them into strengths. GenNext is marching ahead with the ‘come what may’ attitude.” Avekash Gupta, coordinator, Delhi IIT chapter says, “The first hurdle was that we didn’t have numbers when we started the protests. Most of the students had gone back home on vacation. The next issue in line was that after everybody returned to college, they would want to devote time to their studies and will not be able to strike a balance between the two.”
Teams from Delhi University (DU) and Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) were running a campaign in certain states and finding out the details about reservation. “At their level, they faced ideological problems. We had to maneuver our way to obtain the information we needed for the campaign. Officials had individual political affiliations and we had to hunt for people who understood our cause,” says Manish Kushwaha, co-ordinator, JNU chapter. Adds Amit Singh, co-ordinator DU chapter, “Now that the session has started, we thought we will spread the word in the colleges but the principals are not letting us enter the premises. Also, the police stops us from campaigning.”

Authorities’ support

“At IIT, the authorities maintained a neutral stand but told the students to abstain from doing anything that taints the name of the institute. We were never stopped from voicing our opinion, we were asked to say whatever we wanted to. Yes, authorities did tell us not to block roads and indulge in violence, which made absolute sense,” says Avekash. Adds Manish, “JNU authorities didn’t stop us because freedom is an integral part of the JNU culture. The VC appealed to call off the hunger strike, which we did because we knew they were right in telling us so.”

Learn and unlearn

“Most of the GenXers say that they never thought they would have to do any such thing in their youth. There were many things that could have been planned better but we are not professionals. Our lack of experience made us vulnerable,” says Jiten. Concurs Amit, “The protest could have been more independent. After the Supreme Court verdict to call off the hunger strike at AIIMS, the mass movement could not be sustained.”
The second round of protests started with a rally on July 23, a day before the monsoon session begins. Students from DU, other colleges and also other cities were part of this rally that started from Raj Ghat and went till Vir Bhoomi. “Raj Ghat symbolises that we have carried a non-violent movement till now following M K Gandhi, and Vir Bhoomi because Rajiv Gandhi endorsed that reservations can only divide,” explains Manish Kushwaha.
Also, a candlelight procession and a hunger strike was organised in IP University and JNU to mark the beginning of the mass movement. IIT students have organised a rally on the 26th, which will start from IIT and go on till AIIMS.
The youth is raring to go. And they say that they will speak till their voices are heard. Is anybody listening?

News Update: EVENTS July 23, across the India

2006-07-24T22:06:00.000-07:00

Human Chain in Mumbai 23 July : A GRAND SUCCESS
http://www.youthforequality.in/newsdetail.jsp?id=143

MASSIVE RALLY WAS HELD AT RAE BAREILLY

Youth walk against quota : Hyderabad Rally
"THE HINDU" coverage
http://www.hindu.com/2006/07/24/stories/2006072417040400.htm

Samta Yatra - A huge success!!!!(Delhi Rally)
http://www.youthforequality.in/newsdetail.jsp?id=144

Samaanta Bus Yatra

2006-07-22T02:21:00.000-07:00

Thursday, July 20, 2006 : The Samaanta Bus Yatra was flagged off on 19th from IIT Powai at 9 am. The bus initially has 19 YFEians on board.

The bus yatra covered whole of Gujarat and will reach Kota (rajasthan) at 7pm. it will cover Durgah Ajmer Sharif and will reach Jaipur at 5pm where a massive rally is planned.

The yatra will reach Delhi on 24th July.

The Bus Yatra is expected to be joined by other supporters and grow in size by the time it reaches Delhi.

DETAILS OF BUS YATRA-

19th July 2006
09.00 AM Departure from IIT Bombay
5.00 PM Rally at Vadodara
Dinner at Ahmedabad/Journey

20th July 2006
12.00 noon Ajmer Dargah
5.00 PM Rally at Kota
Night stay/Journey

21st July 2006
2.00 PM Jaipur

22nd July 2006
11.00 AM Amritsar/Golden Temple
4.00 PM Rally at Chandigarh
Night stay /Journey

23rd July 2006
12.00 Noon Rae Bareilly/Amethi
Night stay/Journey
24th July 2006

Reaches Delhi

Nationwide Peaceful Protests on 23rd July,2006

2006-07-22T02:18:00.000-07:00

In order to let the government know that we will not take it lying down, YFE is organizing nationwide peaceful protests in all major cities.
Delhi: 4 pm, 23rd July, Raj Ghat to Vijay Ghat
Bangalore: 6 pm, 23rd July, Mahatma Gandhi Statue, M.G. Road

INDRAPRASTHA UNIVERSITY STUDENTS, NEW DELHI TOOK PART IN HUNGER STRIKE ON JULY 21, 2006.

Massive rally is being organized in Rae bareilly on July 23

YFE DELHI CHAPTER WILL WELCOME SAMAANTHA YATRA BUS IN DELHI ON JULY 24.

PLZ CHECK oUT the website and BLOG . !!!!TIME TO ACT!!!!

DELHI UNIVERSITY MEET

2006-07-12T22:55:00.000-07:00

Youth for equality (Delhi university) is going to organize a very important meeting to decide and implement the future course of action for Delhi university and surrounding areas. Please make sure to come to save the nation from the menace of reservation.

Timing: 5:00 pm.

Venue: VC office lawn, Delhi University (near Vishawavidyalaya metro station)

Date : 14th July 2006.

THERE ARE VITAL ISSUES IN AN INDIVIDUAL'S LIFE BUT WHEN THESE VITAL ISSUES BECOME PART OF A LARGE NUMBER OF INDIVIDUAL'S LIVES THEY BECOME NATIONAL ISSUES.

ONCE AGAIN THERE IS AN ATTEMPT TO DIVIDE OUR COUNTRY ON CASTE LINES…..HOW MANY OF US OPPOSE THAT ? ..HOW MANY OF US HAVE EXPRESSED CONCERN ? AND HOW MANY OF US HAVE ACTED ON THAT ? IF YOU OPPOSE THIS MOVE THEN WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR CONTRIBUTION IN THIS EXTREMELY PEACEFUL MOVEMENT ? LETS PONDER ……………………………..

IS IT POSSIBLE TO GIVE ONE HOUR OF YOUR TIME PER DAY TO THIS CAUSE………………………………………..IT IS ABOUT YOUTH…ITS ABOUT YOU. ITS ABOUT EQUALITY. ITS ABOUT YOUR LIFE…..ITS ABOUT THE COUNTRY……..JOIN AND SCRIPT INDIA'S DESTINY…………INDIA NEEDS JUST ONE HOUR OF YOUR TIME DAILY TO WORK IN A COORDINATED AND EFFECTIVE MANNER……….. WE HAVE THE ORGANIZATION BUT WE NEED YOU

How Can I Contribute for Youth For Equality

2006-07-12T01:31:00.000-07:00

Have you people seen the big fight the big debate and other such program’s on TV? It makes interesting viewing. Both sides make some very good points for and against the issue. The channels make their money. Have you noticed these debates never reach a conclusion, never come up with a solution? And any exercise which does not have an END RESULT is a wasted effort!

You must have seen many pro n anti quota debates on TV. So I’ll ask you a question? If I give you 101 very good points for quota will you change your opinion? NO, well neither will the pro quota people (who have decided that they have done their part for equality by agreeing to quota and hypnotized themselves into believing that quota is magically going to end all inequality in our country. Because a few BC brothers will become doctors and engineers, magically all BC brothers will get uplifted. IF U SO CARE FOR OBC ETC understand that the thousands of crores of rupees that will be needed to increase seats in medical institutions in lieu of reservations can be put into use by providing assistance to SC/ST/OBC candidates financially, rather then reserving seats for them).

So , a debate is good so far as we get all possible pro quota points and blend them into our demands such that not only do pro–quota people have any reason to point fingers at us but are also forced to join in.

If you continue to debate beyond this point, you may as well keep debating till its time for your kids to get into these institutes. So stop wasting your energies fighting pro-quota people, digging up articles why quota is bad. Making a case for Merit. STOP.

Use you energies instead in finding people for YFE.

Join YFE and tell us how you can help, do you pledge to stand up and be counted in our rally? Pledge to bring at least ten people to the rally.

If you are a professional, tell us how you can help us?

If you are a Marketing Person, offer your services in thinking up innovative ways for YFE to spread its cause (spread it across the country)

If you are an Advertising Person, give YFE some catch lines, which help it to connect to people.

If you are a market researcher, help us find the extent of our reach and how we can improve.

As a Medical Doctor, educate your patients about Government’s policy. Not how it’s going to hurt meritorious students, but how it’s going to affect the common man.

If you are a Student, make your own database of people who will be ready to come to YFE’s aid. Start a mail campaign sending YFE’s website link and ask them to join.

YFE members are not here to find out alternatives to reservation, there is a body which spends millions of our tax-money in doing this research; it’s called the planning commission.

Ask your teachers, what are the actual steps that are needed to uplift poor of our country which were ignored for an eye wash like increased quota. Please ask your history teachers and discuss, which revolutions were successful and which failed and why? What are the do’s and don’t’s for YFE? Ask your teachers to join and contribute.

IT people, make mailers with creativity, educating people about our cause. In Each mail that you send, put the link of YFE (www.youth4eqaulity.org) in your Signatures.

If you NGO owners, Corporate, professionals …please realize you posses vital information, your knowledge, your expertise can help us.

If you are none of these people, don’t worry, find them for us.

If you wrote to YFE and didn’t get a response don’t be angry or disappointed.

We are a bunch of young people suddenly entrusted with the responsibility of the entire nation. We are struggling to find our feet and we need your help. Remember, we need proper planning and action and for this we need your help and guidance. Tell us what we are doing wrong and how to improve. Only when each and every citizen of this country contributes, will YFE be successful.

JAI HIND!!!.

HC stays Venugopal dismissal, Docs call off strike

2006-07-10T06:01:00.000-07:00

Friday, July 07, 2006 : In what is a major embarrassment for the Central government, and Mr Ramadoss in particular, the Delhi High Court put a stay on the dismissal of Dr. Venugopal.

Justice Anil Kumar delivered an interim order that the board decision will not stand. It may be recalled that 2 days earlier, the AIIMS governing body, of which Ramadoss is president, had adopted a resolution to dismiss Venugopal.

This decision was met with widespread dissent and resentment among the general public. The AIIMS faculty, RDA ,and students went on strike, with their friends from other colleges joining them.

With news of the High Court order the doctors called off the strike.

"We have suspended our agitation and are resuming duties immediately", RDA President Binod Patro said.

Patro said the doctors would resume their agitation if the Health Minister takes any punitive action against them as he had indicated at a press conference earlier in the day.
"We will closely monitor the situation over the next two days and will go on agitation if action is taken," he said.

Are you brand conscious?My Brand YFE

2006-07-07T06:46:00.000-07:00

You DESERVE it!!

Dear Friends,

T-shirts with the above design will shortly be available in sizes M, L and XL.

Depending on the size of the order, each piece will cost anywhere between Rs. 120 and Rs. 150.

If you are interested in buying write to y4ejnu@gmail.com with "T-SHIRT" in the Subject line. Team/ Chapter leaders may please write on behalf of their people, quoting the approximate strength of the order.

Let's all wear our voice- LOUD and CLEAR!!!

Central Lawns inspires again- AIIMS back on strike

2006-07-06T03:42:00.000-07:00

The AIIMS RDA has gone on strike to protest the sacking of AIIMS Director Dr P Venugopal, a renowned cardiac surgeon of the country. The sacking clearly smells of political machinations by Ramadoss, the Health Minister, who has been meddeling with the internal matters of an autonomous institution like AIIMS.

Other medical colleges of Delhi will observe a token strike of 24 hours this Thursday in support of AIIMS. Supportive calls poured in from Chandigarh, Shimla, MP, Maharashtra, Bangalore and UP (UP was speaking from YFE's State Meet on July 5 in Kanpur which had met to discuss the second phase of the agitation) asking AIIMS to make a Nation-wide call for Medical strikes. The states said they were ready to go on strike anytime. AIIMS RDA has reserved its decision on this issue.

Meanwhile, YFE's JNU Chapter was present at AIIMS since the afternoon of July 5. We also participated in the AIIMS Candlelight March at 9 pm in the night- where slogans were raised against the caste-based divisive policies and the dictatorial nature of the Governement. It is a SHAME that the media was blocked by the police from entering the AIIMS campus to cover the protetsts despite the AIIMS security advisor NOT issuing any security threat warnings.

The Candlelight March closed at the CENTRAL LAWNS, the historical epicenter of the National Movement against caste-based divisive politics, where the torch was placed near the Equality Tree and the doctors sat there on strike. YFE's JNU chapter brings to you some photographs from the Central Lawns- http://y4ejnu.multiply.com/photos/album/36

It is sad that the UPA government is using such downrightly rotten methods to implement political control in autonomous institutions. The ACADEMIC COMMUNITY should wake up!! What is happening in AIIMS can soon become a national reality- politicians armtwisting autonomous institutions for their own selfish motives!!

It is a matter of shame that the UPA government is leaving no stone unturned to harass people who have had any (real or presumed) role in challenging the divisive policies of the government. The UPA government had also tried to punish the doctors by cutting their salary. This decision was overturned by the Honourable Supreme Court on July 5. The Honourable Supreme Court has also struck down the Andhra Government's 5% communal quota for Muslims.

NEWS FLASH... NEWS FLASH...NEWS FLASH...

2006-07-06T01:35:00.000-07:00

Ramadoss's birthday gift to Venugopal: Sack letter
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1709189.cms

AIIMS docs continue strike; MAMC, LNJP join in
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1710420.cms

The Politician wins, AIIMS loses its Brand Venugopal
http://indianexpress.com/story/7966.html

"27 lakhs joining their hands for 27 minutes against 27% quota"

2006-07-03T03:58:00.000-07:00

We will not Shout Slogans, NO stopping work and Hunger Strikes, No Violence ... We'll just join our HANDS to form the world's Longest Human Chain

"There will come a time when you believe everything is finished.
That will be the beginning."
History : 1989
As a result of a COLLECTIVE protest effort (that lasted just 15 minutes) in 1989, three European nations got independence.
They didn't shout slogans, no hunger strikes, and no violence.
1. They just grouped together.
2. Holding their hands JUST for 15 minutes to form a 600 km long HUMAN CHAIN.
3. That was world's longest human chain. Approx. 20 lakhs people participated.
You MUST visit this link for the details of that HISTORIC EVENT: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baltic_Way
History will repeat on : Aug 15, 2006
"27 lakhs joining their hands for 27 minutes against 27% quota"
If this kind of effort can get 3 nations their independence then clearly Quota is not that big issue. We'll definitely succeed.
It requires UNITY, Willingness and fire to succeed.Only a collective effort can turn this into reality.
Can you believe that the combined population of those 3 nations was 80 lakhs which is just about half of Mumbai's population. 27 lakhs is nothing in INDIA.
What to do ?? --
1. This is a special request. Please forward this message to all the people you know. We all are united for a common cause. Let's Join against these policies of Govt. Pls Spread this msg like FIRE!!.
2. Please register on this site.
3. Ask your friends to register on the site. Educate them about the situation.
4. Educate everyone possible around you about the FACTS of the policy.
5. Unite yourself and stay strong against the policy.
6.Orkut User can Join us @ http://www.orkut.com/Community.aspx?cmm=15112625 for updates.

Feel free to contact us in case you have Queries/Suggestions. PowerOfYouth@gmail.comThis email address is being protected from spam bots,
PowerOfYouth2006@yahoo.comThis email address is being protected from spam bots,
We will not Shout Slogans, NO stopping work and Hunger Strikes, No Violence ... We'll just join our HANDS to form the world's Longest Human Chain.

Visit http://www.powerofyouth.org/cms/index.php

Youth for Equality Kick Starts its Second Phase: The Fire is Living ON

2006-07-03T03:38:00.000-07:00

SOURCE: The Indian Express, Mumbai, 2 July 2006

Congratulations Mumbai!!! The Country is watching and emulating you. Delhi too will go from Home to Home. Volunteers write to y4ejnu@gmail.co

Quotas in one stroke and in this session itself

2006-07-03T03:35:00.000-07:00

Quota rollout in one go possible, says Moily
New Delhi: Despite concerns over whether infrastructure will be in place to accommodate the extended OBC quotas and a 54% enhancement in seats in Central educational institutions before admissions for the 2007-08 academic year begin, reservations are likely to be implemented in one go.
The likelihood of the government opting for a deferred implementation so that institutes can upgrade infrastructure like classrooms and laboratories and recruit teachers in phases now looks remote.
The inputs gathered and the framework being put together by the Oversight Committee, set up to draw a roadmap for implementing quotas while ensuring that the number of general category seats is not reduced, point to the new quotas being introduced in one sweep.
Rolling out quotas in less than a year would mean express recruitment, special procedures to cut down time for sanctions, quick tendering for new construction, hiring of premises to enhance teaching space and faster disbursement of financial grants.
‘‘If we can liberalise the processes by which estimates are made and sanctions are granted, then the big leap is possible. We can treat the current situation as an opportunity to boost the percentage of university-going people much beyond the current 8%,’’ head of the Oversight Committee, Veerappa Moily, told TOI.

another news ....Quotas in one stroke and in this session itself, parties tell Govt
http://indianexpress.com/story/7781.html

A presentation given by YFE at International Conference On Integration Value Education

2006-07-01T03:57:00.000-07:00

The Conference was hosted by The Art of Living Foundation in collaboration with Indian National Commission for Cooperation with UNESCO, Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India and UNESCO. The gathering consisted of eminient educationists, academicians, activists, and concerned citizens, which included vice-chancellors of approximately 50 universities.

YFE representatives gave a presentation elaborating the vision, goals and achievements of the organization thus far. It also called for all the participants to play an active role in the effort of nation building byjoining and guiding the activities of YFE. (You may click here to download the presentation).

The immense support and encouragement shown by the audience was enthralling and highly motivating for the presenters, who wished all the other volunteers could witness it. YFE was lauded for their efforts. Many people from the audience expressed their desire to directly participate. Some members from the audience invited YFE right there to give similar talks in their schools and colleges.

The success of the event testifies that our agenda of reaching out to colleges and schools and giving them similar presentations will go a long way in shaping the course of the movement. And therefore, the presenters urge all the YFE volunteers to work hard towards this goal. All in all it was a very encouraging experience and the core committee looks forward to having many more similar events with support from its volunteers.

Anyone willing to participate in the event should forward his name to any of the core committee members.
Plz plz plz plz plz...... this link is essential to check out. Spread it like fire.

http://www.savebrandindia.org/inconf_aol.ppt

OBCs should throw away the demeaning crutches offered

2006-07-01T00:29:00.000-07:00

As concerned citizens of this nation, you might have tried all possible means to save your country from this SELF-DESTRUCTIVE RESERVATION SYSTEM. This article by Prof. M.S. Gopinathan, an OBC himself has the potential to save this great nation from a possible division. Understand this article & explain it to all, irrespective of caste. check the link......

http://allataglance.blogspot.com/2006/06/obcs-should-throw-away-demeaning.html

Thanks CLIFF

Reservation will divide the country: Ratan Tata

2006-07-01T00:19:00.000-07:00

Severely criticising the proposed move to introduce reservation in top educational institutions, Tata Group chairman Ratan Tata warned the government that such a policy would ‘divide’ the country. Tata, who headed the Investment Commission set up by the UPA regime, termed as ‘bad’ the move to introduce reservation in IITs, IIMs and other education institutes and even opposed the move for job reservation in the private sector.
“Though I do not want to comment on it, it (reservation) is bad. In some way, it will tend to divide the country into different groups,” he said.
Stating that the efforts should be made to remain as a unified country, he said such policies would not help in the development of the natiOn reports of government gearing up for introducing job reservation in private sector, he said, “I do not think this is a right way to go forward”.
While uplift of socially backward classes is important, merit is an important aspect and should not be compromised, he said.
on.

NITIE rejects new quota system

2006-07-01T00:14:00.000-07:00

The National Institute of Industrial Engineering (NITIE) is a management school considered to be at par with the IIMs.

But like the IIMs and IITs, NITIE too has rejected the HRD ministry's request to hike intake to accommodate OBC students.

Already this institute in Mumbai is short of faculty and infrastructure.

"If we look at the present infrastructure, faculty strength and all the infrastructural facilities, essential for conducting courses effectively, then at this moment, we may not be able to hike intake capacity," said Dr Subhash D Awale, Director, NITIE.

At a meeting in Bangalore on Friday, the Group of Management Institutions did decide at least in principle that they would implement the new quota system.

But some sources say the group plans to send a proposal to the HRD ministry asking for more funds and permission to hire foreign faculty.

This will be done at the next meeting on June 20 in Chennai.
Meanwhile, NITIE is trying to help itself.
"If you look at the requirement of the industry, then I would say yes to expansion and we need more NITIEs. Perhaps we can think of setting up branches or outfits of NITIE elsewhere," said Awale.

IITs and IIMs have already indicated that these institutions would not be able to hike intake capacity even though it brought much displeasure in the Government.

Now, with NITIE seconding the voice, it seems MHRD would have to work out a new formula for implementing additional 27 per cent quota for OBC students in the top business schools

Can’t handle quota hike next year: IIMs

2006-07-01T00:06:00.000-07:00

Bangalore: In a setback to the Oversight Committee’s move to implement 27% OBC reservation by hiking intake from 2007-08, directors of six IIMs have said it would be practically impossible to implement at one go.
The directors who met twice — in Chennai and Bangalore — on the quota issue have told Samuel Paul, chairman of the core group on management institutions, that it would be unrealistic to launch full-scale reservation for OBCs from next June.
‘For 27% quota, IIMs will have to increase intake by 54%. Given the shortage of faculty and inadequate infrastructure, none of the IIMs can handle this in just one year. We must stagger it if quality is not to be compromised,” Paul told TOI.

IIMs plan crash course for OBC students

Bangalore: OBC students should brace up for a crash course before they start dreaming of getting the coveted degree from the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs).
Ahead of the 27% OBC reservations, directors of the six IIMs have suggested remedial teaching in the areas of weakness for quota students in order to create a competitive environment on campuses. Through the crash course, OBC students will get an opportunity to hone their skills and also reduce attrition.
‘‘There should be a conscious effort to provide remedial measures to prepare them at the entry level to help them keep pace with the high standard. The whole purpose of bringing them into these premier institutes will be defeated if these students drop midway, because they are unable to cope with the pressure,’’ Samuel Paul, chairman of the core group on management institutions providing inputs for the oversight committee, told TOI. The remedial teaching would cover sharpening communication skills and also additional classes for slow-track students, if any. They would even be allowed to complete the course in three to four years instead of the regular two-year post-graduate programme.
During the meeting, IIMs also said several seats under the existing SC/ST category were going vacant because they were unable to find eligible candidates despite relaxed entry norms. The vacancies are more in Scheduled Tribe category than the Scheduled Caste category. The assessment made by IIMs also shows that SC/ST students are among the last to be placed.

News Flash 28 june

2006-06-28T03:54:00.000-07:00

IIMA to Moily panel: Took us 20 yrs to get land, seven to hike seats
http://indianexpress.com/story/7439.html

No need for quota in Meghalaya: KSU
http://indianexpress.com/story/7414.html

Quota Bill in monsoon session, Moily report may come earlier
http://indianexpress.com/story/7424.html

MEMBERSHIP DRIVE

2006-06-27T01:33:00.000-07:00

YFE has started a membership and registration drive to unite all the Indians in the country and abroad under one banner to fight against politics of divisiveness. The membership card issued will bear the name of the individual and an unique code which cannot be tampered. It will give a special identity to the members of YOUTH FOR EQUALITY throughout the world. Very soon u will know how to get register. U can write to the YFE main for more information

Merit Prevail - Rahul Bajaj

2006-06-27T01:13:00.000-07:00

"Lakshami N Mittal's success (acquring ARCELOR)clearly indiacates that in these days of globalisation, inspite of unjustified hurdles, justice and merit prevail". Rahul Bajaj said this, not on any political or any corporate plateform but this is the voice from his hesrt . its his quick reaction on Mittal's phenomenal success. My aim to post this message is to prove YFE will win definitely win, Together we will overcome all hurdles and will emerge as winner, since we are with truth and truth is with us. JAI HIND

Quota is not the way: Arun Shourie

2006-06-27T00:45:00.000-07:00

Hi friends,
Arun Shourie the gr8 scholar and gr8 intellectual, was on the sets of Devil,s advocate (IBN programme). Karan Thapar, host of the show had tried to grill shourie on quota issue . this time Thapar was on the reverse side (earliar thapar had interviewed Arjun singh and P Chidambaram, both have been supporters of reservation policy)and he tried to shoot Shourie but ultimately ARUN SHOURIE emerged as a winner. My pith to tell u this is only to show "TRUTH ALWAYS TRIUMPHS" unlike arjun singh and chidambaram, this time shourie was not alone he was with force of truth and hence he defeated Karan thapar who was backing a bullshit lie, the RESERVATION. check the link.........http://www.ibnlive.com/news/quota-is-not-the-way-arun-shourie/13851-4-single.html

An amusing editorial of TOI

2006-06-22T04:52:00.000-07:00

Oranges and Apples

The author has described the analogy between the OBC quota reservation and World Cup Football as perceived by Moily, the man charged of implementing the 27 percent quota in higher education.
First is like all the players in football have one goal to be achieved. The goal post for the politicians in this game is a handful of OBC votes. Otherwise there is no rationale for jettisoning so many seats. Another analogy between FIFA and Mandal is that just as new nations like Serbia & Montenegro are making their place in the World Cup, there are new castes emerging to enter into OBC quota. But Moily is failing to perceive that it is always a fair game at higher levels. A strong team like Brazil playing with a weaker nation offers no privileges to the weaker nations. So quota cannot be implemented in higher education.
Finally, Moily’s analogy would hold only if there are several parallel World Cups played for each type of people. Find the full story.........
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1669108.cms

Last weekend (16th - 18th June) was the meeting of the National Coordination Committee in Bangalore

2006-06-21T04:27:00.000-07:00

The MOM are as follows :

Day 1

Registration of all the representatives coming from 17 states across the Nation.
Meeting with Shree Shree Ravi Shankar Ji at Art of Living Center, Bangalore where Representatives from all the states shared their concern about the adamant behavior of Government. Pandit Ravi Shankar extended full support for the cause of YOUTH FOR EQUALITY and promised to bring all the Dharma Gurus on the common platform to support YOUTH FOR EQUALITY.

Day2

All the State units of YOUTH FOR EQUALITY gave a presentation on the course of events in their respective states and the protests happened in various parts of their states against the current reservation policy of Central Government.
Discussion with the Legal experts regarding the Legal battle of YOUTH FOR EQUALITY in the highest court of Justice. Mr. Vijayan and Mr. Agarwal were present there to enlighten the representatives with the legal aspects of the case.
Each state presented the Charter of Demands and long discussion happened on each and every aspect of the Charter. Finally the Charter of Demands came up with consensus among all state units.
Each state proposed the Organizational structure for YOUTH FOR EQUALITY at the National Level and a lot of discussion happened till 3:00 AM.

Day3

One Basic Structure for YOUTH FOR EQUALITY was decided by consensus of all.
Core Working Committee discussed the Roles and Responsibilities of various committees which will be formed at the National Level and the same shall be replicated for the state levels.
Renowned Author and Orator Shiv Khera gave a motivational speech at the National Coordination Committee Meet.
Spokesperson of National Commission Committee addressed the Press Conference and kick started the Second Phase of YOUTH FOR EQUALITY by announcing the CHARTER OF DEMANDS to the Press.
Vote of Thanks by the Organizers of AKHIL BHARTIYA SAMAANTA SAMMELAN 2006.

Falling Over Backwards - By Arun Shourie

2006-06-21T04:19:00.000-07:00

Details of the book

Title: Falling Over Backwards: An Essay against Reservations and against Judicial Populism
Author: Arun Shourie
Pages: 378
Hard Back

Description:

How is it that what was explicitly forbidden by the constitution - classification based on caste - has become the rule? How is it that what were enabling provisions have become mandatory minima? Where does the figure 50 per cent come from? How is it that in practice it is exceeded blatantly? Are the benefits not being hogged by a few, the better-off among these castes? Has the "creamy layer" been actually hived off? How is it that what were begun as reservations at entry became reservations in promotions also? How did this become a right to accelerated promotions? How did that become a right "accelerated promotions with consequential seniority"? How did that become a right to have the prescribed standards diluted - to the point of being waived altogether? Even in educational institutions. Is this any way to become a "knowledge super-power"? As there has been no caste-wise enumeration and tabulation since the 1931 Census, where does this mythical figure - "OBC's are 52 per cent of the population" come from? And what did the 1931 Census itself say about its caste-wise figures? How have the Courts come to acquiesce in such wholesale perversion of the Constitution? Is their role to cheer such perversion on? Or is it to conserve, to protect the Constitution?

"Mandal Revisited" gr8 article by Barkha Dutt

2006-06-21T04:13:00.000-07:00

Barkha dutt is very renowned journalist of this era. She is famous for her bold and courageous coverage of KARGILL war. She is managing editor of NDTV. In this article she is questioning on the notion of quotas, how this is used to mock the democracy.Must read for everyone irrespective of cast and creed. here is the link... http://www.ndtv.com/columns/showcolumns.asp?id=1034

Maharashtra ordinance on quota gets governor's nod

2006-06-17T04:31:00.000-07:00

Maharashtra Governor S M Krishna today gave his assent to the ordinance issued by the state government to reserve 25 per cent seats for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Class in private unaided colleges which run professional courses in engineering, medicine, architecture and management.

It may be recalled that in June 2005, the Supreme Court struck down the provision of reservations in private unaided colleges which was in place in various states like Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.

After a hue and cry by political parties, the Constitution was amended to allow reservations in private unaided colleges.

Celebs join the anti-reservation cry

2006-06-15T22:26:00.000-07:00

KANPUR: Cricketer-turned-MP Navjot Singh Sidhu and motivational guru Shiv Khera are expected to take part in a day-long satyagraha being organised by IIT Kanpur students on Sunday as part of protests against reservation in higher education.

Apart from the two celebrities, students and staff of IIT Kanpur, other institutions as well as traders will be taking part in the June 18 satyagraha at Phool Bagh, Forum of Indians against Reservation (FIR), spokesman Rahul Bharat said .

He said talks were on with other actors and celebrities to actively take part in the satyagraha, which is being organised to rope in the masses after the success of the relay fast undertaken by IIT Kanpur students.

Street plays and pamphlets were also being organised as part of the protests, Bharat said.

Meanwhile, students of the GSVM medical College in Kanpur continued with their dharna for the fourth-day on Thursday with medicos sporting black badges on their hands.

However, the college principal said work in the hospital was unaffected by the agitation.

Nashik school left with only 1 student

2006-06-15T22:00:00.000-07:00

showing a burning example of Govt;s gimmick regarding ongoing plan to implement quota for upliftment of underprivileged section,instead strenthening status of education at grassroot level, here presenting the news.. pls check it out...
http://indianexpress.com/story/6571.html
In Nashik people of a village have withdrawn names of their children from school blaming that the condition of education is extremely poor. Well, we all know the population of underprivileged section is more in our villages. Its matter of sending accolades to villagers that they did what the need of the hour , My appeal to proquota protesters, plz plz plz protest against govt. these unfair policies and do something for underprivileged society. At last kuddos to villagers.
JAI HIND

No thanks: IIT’s quota students

2006-06-15T03:58:00.000-07:00

Believe it or not, beneficiaries of the existing quota system at IIT, Powai are against the government’s decision to increase reservation to 49.5 per cent.

This is because many of them struggle with the pressure of coping with the standard of education at IIT and consequently suffer from depression and low self-esteem.
Many of the students who belong to SC/ST communities r suffering from iferriority complex, the peer pressure of highly talented other students is so high that make them to think abt suicide. The guys against quota because they say, we can get admission here even while scoring much lower marks but coping up the academics and the high standard of IIT study is a herculean task and instead of being kicked out after 4 yrs its better not to join. Well i wud suggest to my SC/ST friends its not your fault . The education systems sud be reformed at grassroot level then only the standard will improve. But govt. find it easier to implement unobvious quotas to hide their inefficacy. check the link.....
http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/181_1676860,001302220000.htm

Anti-quota fire spreads to US, NRIs hold protest

2006-06-14T00:57:00.000-07:00

Well! the news a little old but very important as the people across the globe, irrespective of caste , crew and ethnic grp are saying in UNISON , no quota, no quota. check the link........
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1621366.cms

Caste v/s Class (TOI editorial)

2006-06-14T00:54:00.000-07:00

The editorial insists government to rethink on its rationale behind the classification of OBC caste and assigning 27 percent quota to them.
As Supreme Court asks government to provide reason for the 27 percent figure of hike in the reservation quota it is evident that government has no valid reason except the preset upper limit of 50% quota in the Constitution which made them to hike only 27 percent in the reservation quota. While government is mining the old data to find out the convincing reason, it is time to rethink whether Other Backward Class ,OBC in short, are really backward or not. We can’t say this for Yadavs and Nadars of North and South respectively.
Conclusively, instead of blindly increasing the number of seats in the premier institutes it is necessary to rethink over the increased reservation seats and reconsider the difference between class and caste to ensure that reservation reaches only to those who need it. check the edit...
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1644616.cms

Panel chief, Moily's suggestions

2006-06-13T22:03:00.000-07:00

Verappa Moily suggests govt. to go with phased reservation. First year target the IT,IIM and AIIMS, and continuously tight the rope, as introduce quota in central universities in 2008 and that in deemed universities and others in 2009/10.
Only one thing in suggestion is acceptrable, that A debate on the 27% quota of OBC in minority and unaided college , institution but, he again said the implementation of quota in one go will be of highest impact. Well friends, something have to do otherwise very soon they will say go out of country in a phased manner.First upper class IITian then Upper class NITian then state college uppere class students. Check the news......."http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1645074.cms"

Govt considering increase in SC quota, says Meira

2006-06-12T06:20:00.000-07:00

It seems that either the govt. is deaf or we r only whispering. Following up the way of Arjun Singh , Meira Kumar is announcing a fresh increase in SC's existing quota. if it happens,the total quota will exceed 50% which will be violation of rule judged by Apex Court. Well but until the govt. is not going to see something really defying they will react like this only. Check the link...
http://business-standard.com/common/storypage_c.php?leftnm=10&autono=94592

IIT teachers join protest against quota

2006-06-12T06:09:00.000-07:00

KANPUR: The protest by the students of Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IIT-K) against Union government's proposed policy of reservation in central educational institutions has further strengthened with the teachers of the institute joining the fortnight-long stir.

Over one dozen teachers of IIT Kanpur on Monday supported the anti-reservation agitation by the students under the banner of Forum of Indian against Reservation (FIR).

This apart, about 125 teacher of IIT Kanpur have written a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, appealing him not to take any decision on reservation.

HC Verma, a teacher of IIT Kanpur, said that the country would lag behind if the reservation was implemented in higher educational institutes.

FIR spokesman Rahul Bharat said the agitation would be intensified and there were plan to gherao the Parliament during the monsoon session.

He said the students were in touch with their counterparts in AIIMS in Delhi and another meeting would be held at Bangalore on June 16 to 18 to finalise further action

IIM's feel neglected

2006-06-12T06:01:00.000-07:00

It seems that IIm's feel neglected by Govt. as Govt. giving no sign to consult these centre of excellences. The news is in the air that a vast majority of professers planning to write or call on to president on the ongoing quota issue. Well friends , i wud say the soon they join our common cause the better will it be as their counterp[art from IITK are doing. Check the link for news.......
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1632552.cms

‘No quota policy review’ - P Chidambaram

2006-06-11T23:24:00.000-07:00

Well Friends! After disappointment from our first wise man (PM), Now its turn of second wise man (FM), I dont know what these wise men have in their mind but im sure they r at mistake in one sense that they are ignoring the upper caste financially low community which is a big no. And in the coming days it seems there is only one option for for thgis community, to take the extreme step. read the news below.....
The government is not thinking of reviewing its present caste-based reservation policy, Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram has said. He told a news channel that the government is putting together material that would form the basis for allocating 27 per cent of seats for OBCs in higher education.

‘‘The ministry has to put together all the material available to it to reach the conclusion of 27 per cent...The material will be put together. Wait for the material,’’ Chidambaram said in an interview to CNN-IBN. The court had, on May 29, given the Centre eight weeks to reply to a series of queries on reservations.

When repeatedly asked if his answer suggested that the government had announced a decision in favour of reservations without evaluating the need, he said: ‘‘the government will answer in a proper forum, in Parliament, in the Supreme Court (but) not in an interview’’. He, however, said t he government would compile its answers on the basis of various state reports on other backward classes (OBC) numbers, the Mandal report and the NSSO surveys.

Chidambaram, who is a member of the group of ministers looking into reservations for OBCs in higher education, said the government has no intention of reviewing the caste-based reservation policy. ‘‘As I understand...There is no ground to review whether there should be reservations or not. There is no ground at all...If a review means questioning the justification of reservations, I say no,’’ he said.

a two-third majority favoured reservations on an economic criterion

2006-06-11T23:10:00.000-07:00

Majority favour reservation but most of them want income as criterion, not purely caste .
Given an option, a two-third majority favoured reservations on an economic criterion rather than use purely caste-based criterion. The idea of giving reservations to the poor finds favour with a majority of the SC/ST and OBC respondents as well.

This implicit critique of the government could have become a major issue if the media had generated more light than heat. The poll reveals a narrowing funnel of information: 79 per cent had heard about this controversy, 61 per cent had heard about the government decision, 42 per cent knew it is going to benefit only the OBCs and 36 per cent knew the decision was to apply only to higher educational institutions.

Taking everything into account, only 14 per cent of the respondents really knew what this controversy was all about. The political calculations of swinging the “vote banks” also do not seem to have materialised so far. Only 12 per cent of the respondents said their voting preference is likely to be influenced by this decision.

The poll was conducted between June 3 and 6 among 776 adult persons in and around five major metropolitan centres (Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Chennai, Nagpur).

Half of the sample was selected from rural locations at least 30 km away from city centres. Quota sampling was used to ensure that the social profile of the sample reflected the country’s social profile: 25 per cent SC/ST, 40 per cent OBC, besides 11 per cent Muslims. A survey of this size and kind is subject to a 5 per cent standard error and, therefore, can only be broadly indicative of the larger population.

Therefore, the poll can be seen as the first broad indicator of the national mood after the government’s decision to implement the OBC quota in higher education.

A letter from an OBC IITian

2006-06-09T04:41:00.000-07:00

You have made me feel low again, Mr Arjun Singh

I am an OBC. I come from a place where discrimination on the basis of caste is common. I grew up hearing I was inferior because I was from a backward class. All through my childhood I regretted the fact that I belonged to a backward class.

When friends would tease me over my caste, my mother would tell me the only way to shut them up was to study well and top in class. I took her advice seriously and channelised my frustration into my studies. This brought about a big change in me: I started working very hard. From performing poorly in class I, I now excelled in studies, coming second in the district (supaul) in the class X exams in 1996.

Even after that achievement, some of my casteist friends disparaged my success, insinuating that I must have had some connection with the state government—I shared my caste with the then chief minister of Bihar. I was very disappointed. It wasn’t just the barbs of friends. My disappointment was more over belonging to my particular caste. But then once again I began preparing very hard to prove that my performance in the board exams had been the result of my own effort.

I worked very hard and got through IIT JEE 2000, ultimately obtaining admission to the B-Tech programme in Chemical Engineering at IIT Kharagpur. Initially, I was apprehensive about facing the same discrimination here as well. But I was surprised when no one asked me my caste. Nobody really cared which caste, creed or religion one belonged to. For the first time in my life, I felt a sense of equality.

It is my deep conviction that no place on earth can ever be as secular and free of casteism as IIT. Slowly, the feeling of inferiority engendered by my caste began fading away. I started believing in the equality of humankind. I started loving people—not based on their caste, but based on their values and ideas. I forgot all the discrimination I had faced earlier in life.

Looking back, I feel proud of having lived in such an environment. This place not only educated me technically, but socially as well. After my stint in Kharagpur, I believe I am truly secular. I’m not merely saying it; I feel it.

Perhaps it’s the way of the world that the moment you begin feeling good about something, it’s taken away from you. Before this 27 per cent education for OBCs was introduced, I had begun believing that India was growing not only economically, but also socially. I was beginning to feel free from the restrictions of of caste and creed.

But then our leaders reminded me of my caste. They made me feel ‘‘backward’’ all over again. They made me remember my childhood days. It has suddenly become difficult for me to feel the same as I did before this latest announcement.

I am truly worried about my alma mater. I feel our leaders are going to spoil our haven on earth for their own narrow, selfish motives. I would like to propose a solution: send all our leaders to the IITs. Only then would they come to realise the real meaning of secularism, the value they keep trumpeting. I would not take umbrage if IIT seats were given to our leaders to make them understand the true meaning of secularism.

But now I am sure that once they make reservations mandatory for admissions in institutes, equality shall be replaced with hatred and discrimination. I urge our leaders: please don’t do this to us. Our generation has changed. Please don’t separate us on the basis of our birth, something over which one has no control. We have the power to mould our destinies and fortunes; allow us to do that. We have started believing in equality, hard work and dedication as the recipe for success. Please don’t break our faith. It will endanger the unity of our nation. Please let the new generation of India live in a world where ideas matter, not the caste or religion into which one is born.

The writer was in the Class of 2004, B-Tech Chemical Engineering, IIT Kharagpur. gautamiit@yahoo.co.in

No stopping Arjun Singh as he further tightens quota screws

2006-06-09T03:35:00.000-07:00

Well friends! Now you have only two options either be prepare to use your all intellect in selling peanuts , water fruits on thella and footpath. OR just raise ur voice and be unite. Read the news and u see nothing left for non reserved nothing........ well if there is tear in ur eyes wipe it out and be strong. Only that can help what ? u know better sud i tell u the rght option? here is the news article...

Not just IITs, IIMs, AIIMS, over 100 more institutes, public and private, in 27% OBC quota net: from Pune’s Symbiosis to TIFR, Manipal to BITS. Arjun Singh’s latest Bill proposal also asks UGC to fix fees as per quotas, even threatens punitive action .

Among the “deemed universities” that are proposed to be brought under the new Bill:

• Indian School of Mines (Dhanbad)

• Manipal Academy of Higher Education (Manipal)

• National Institute of Mental Health and Sciences (Bangalore)

• Tata Institute of Social Sciences (Mumbai)

• Symbiosis International Education centre (Pune)

• Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (Delhi)

• Tata Institute for Fundamental Research (Mumbai)

• Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies (Mumbai)

• BITS (Pilani)

• National School of Drama (Delhi)

• BIT-Mesra (Ranchi)

• Central Institute for English and Foreign Languages (Hyderabad)

rfer the link for more http://indianexpress.com/story/5752.html

UPA govt. opposing Rajiv's thought

2006-06-09T03:18:00.000-07:00

Do you want to help those within a class who are already well-off?’

Why the hurry and what’s the scientific basis behind the quotas for OBCs? These were some of the concerns raised by Rajiv Gandhi in his speech on the Mandal Commission Report in the Lok Sabha on September 6, 1990

plz refer the link http://indianexpress.com/story/6021._.html

Singer Remo Fernandes opposes reservation

2006-06-09T03:11:00.000-07:00

PANAJI: Opposing reservation for OBCs in elite educational institutions, renowned singer Remo Fernandes has called for setting up of good schools for children belonging to the deprived section of the society.

"It's pathetic that these classes have still remained backward decades after independence. This has happened because our governments have failed to uplift them by providing good schools and colleges which would have ensured that they become eligible for professional seats through merit," Remo said.

The noted singer, who penned several articles against reservation in educational institutions, said tax payer's money should be spent properly to uplift the backward section of the society.

"These backward classes are still maimed and raped and enslaved by higher castes, and yet no finger is raised to stop all these" he said adding that government does nothing to protect the interests of the tribals.

On anti-quota strike by the doctors, Remo said "It is easy to say that doctors should never go on strike and that their profession is noble. But does our government treat them with respect?"

Letter to the President, signed by 125 Professors from IIT Kanpur

2006-06-08T03:16:00.000-07:00

Respected Sir,
As members of the faculty of IIT Kanpur, an institution that is rated among the best technical universities in the country, we are appalled by the proposed policy of caste-based reservation for other backward castes (OBCs) that is being sought to be implemented in this and other IITs. We are committed to nation building and wish to contribute to make India an equitable and just society. However, we believe that such move at the present stage will be very injurious to the IITs. It will have devastating consequences to the culture of excellence cultivated over half-a-century by generations of dedicated and knowledgeable teachers and tens of thousands of brilliant students of all castes, creeds and linguistic and ethnic groups.

The undergraduate students of IIT Kanpur do not usually, or even often, come from wealthy and privileged backgrounds. The vast majority come from the smaller metropolises like Kanpur, Patna and Allahabad, or cities like Bareilly, and the moffasil towns and villages of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. A typical example is the late Satyendra K Dubey, an IITK alumnus, whose murder in 2003 while working on the National Highway project got national media attention. He came from a small village in Bihar.

Most IIT Kanpur students thus overcome poverty, bad schools, and many adverse circumstances to compete in a gruelling entrance examination for the right to be here. Many of these students also belong to OBCs; how many, we cannot say, because the admission is blind to caste and indeed to every other criterion except ability. Thus the distinguishing mark of IIT students is not wealth, privilege, or birth, but dedication and talent.

Into such an environment the introduction of privileges accruing only to members of particular castes would be a travesty. Further, with no objective criteria yet laid down for defining backwardness, such privileges will seemingly be granted in perpetuity. This would be the very image of the caste discrimination of the past centuries that the policy purports to assuage. Past injustices cannot be redressed by further injustices perpetrated today. Backwardness is not determined by caste alone. It is clear for all to see that other factors like poverty, region and gender have greater adverse impact on the chances of a person becoming an engineer or a doctor. It therefore seems to us that, except in electoral terms, purely caste-based reservations make no rational sense.

However the point we wish to make here is not to argue for one set of criteria for reservations over others. Rather it is to argue that the best institutions in India should be the preserves of excellence, with proven performance as their only selection criterion. Such institutions serve to develop the â€œseed-cornâ€ of the nation which can then be planted elsewhere to make the whole nation grow in strength and prosperity. Therefore think not of IIT students in terms of their castes, but of them only as Indiaâ€™s best hope, as the future leaders of India who have been nurtured in an environment where only excellence matters, not caste, creed or ethnic origin.

This emphasis on merit must not be viewed wrongly as ivory-tower elitism in a country of millions of poor and deprived people. Rather it is a necessary strategy for ensuring that developing India soon
catches up with the developed nations of the world, so that, in the long run the IITs are instrumental to raising the standard of life of all Indians, and shine forth as exemplars of development and emancipation in an environment of extreme challenges.

Even if Government insists on affirmative action programs for IITs, we are sure that the IITs can be trusted to evolve and implement such programs by themselves. After all, IIT Kanpur has had an exemplary record of implementing the SC/ST reservation in a supportive and pro-active way that became a model for all IITs. Such an approach to affirmative action will also be in keeping with the autonomous status given us by Parliament. We share the concern of the government for providing the young generation with good education and economic prospects. In fact, many of us, and our students, spend time in school education, health, and rural developmental projects outside our busy schedules. We could participate in major ways in innovative research in education, health, and grassroots work, and thus contribute significantly to affirmative action.

It would be most disastrous to impose a 27.5% quota on the IITs in an ostensibly "fair way" by increasing the number of seats. This would mean rapidly increasing the seats substantially. In recent years we have doubled our intake. So the IITs are already short of faculty, as few applicants meet our exacting standards of academic excellence. If a sudden increase of faculty is imposed on us by a drastic increase of seats, the entire academic standing of the IITs will be compromised, and they will go the way of so many universities before them.

Many institutions in India now have good undergraduate programs, but only very few other than the IITs can train students in the highly specialised engineering and scientific skills required in India if it is to become a developed country. So there has been a concerted effort in the IIT system to shift our focus to post-graduate education and to creating an excellent research environment. This was the direction provided by the IIT review committee and Government over the last decade. To this end we have been working hard to increase postgraduate intake and provide more time to faculty for research. A drastic increase in undergraduate strength will derail this effort indefinitely.

The IITs preserved their excellence over the decades when university after university fell prey to politics, corruption and inertia. At this moment, when the entire nation is on the verge of take-off to becoming a major economic power, when multinational companies are shifting their research and development centres to India because of the vast technical manpower here, let us not play with these great institutions and cripple them in the hour of their greatest utility.

We request you to reconsider the reservation policy, and do everything you can to preserve the IITs for the future generations of India and, indeed, for the very future of our country. Of all the educational institutions in India, the IITs have remained true to the mission assigned to them by Pandit Nehru. So let them remain free to flourish as the standard bearers of Indian science and technology which was, and should remain, their primary purpose.

Yours very respectfully,

the undersigned faculty of IIT Kanpur
To check the name of Profesers check the link
http://www.savebrandindia.org/iitk_letter.html

Protesters to keep Quota-debate alive

2006-06-07T22:14:00.000-07:00

HYDERABAD: They donated blood and challenged the government to distinguish the samples based on caste. They marched backwards to draw attention to the reversal in country's development process with the present leadership and its reservation policies.

Even though decisions have been taken by the Centre to implement the OBC quota, members of Youth for Equality continued to stage their protest at Indira Park on Sunday. "We know that the Centre has taken some decisions, but then we want to tell the country that the issue has not died down.

Youth for Equality is very much active and will fight against this quota system. Besides, reservation policies are likely to enter the private sector soon so we want to keep the debate alive and ensure that jobs in the private sector are not affected in future," said Sumeet Gupta, a member of Youth For Equality.

Hundreds of students and IT professionals gathered at around 9 am at Indira Park to pledge their eyes and donate blood saying that they were ready to do anything "for the country".

The protesters claimed that blood was being donated not just to help the needy, but to challenge the government to differentiate people on the basis of caste.

After this, several of the participants addressed the gathering, where each of them aired their views on why the reservation policies would spell trouble for the country. One of the speakers, J Vivekananda, an IIM Kolkata graduate, said, "Equality is not about money or talent.

Reservations are interim solutions to a big problem. You cannot define a person on the basis of caste. Reservations should provide equal opportunities to all to get a seat.

We all need to protest the present system, voice our opinions and vote for merit. Only a candidate representing this philosophy of merit should be allowed to occupy a seat of power." Several other students also felt the same like K V Aditya, a B.Com student from the city.

"When 60 per cent of India falls in the age bracket of 18 to 25, how can a 75-year old decide on some important policies that directly affect us? We need more youngsters to join politics and take some measures to oust this government," he said.

check it out!!!!!

2006-06-07T03:04:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone,
I came across a new website(http://www.antireservation.org/) managed by volunteers who r working for our common cause. I request u all to go through this and i appeal to all blog moderatprs to include this in your weblog.
http://www.antireservation.org/

Quota issue to go to Cabinet soon: Meira

2006-06-07T00:21:00.000-07:00

Well Friends, I dont know what this UPA Govt. has in his mind. But one thing is sure , This country is in danger. If something havent been done immediately it will be almost impossible to save our country at later stage.This vote bank politics will do worse for INDIA. just check out the news from Times of India.

NEW DELHI: Despite the raging controversy over OBC reservations, the government has not given up on the idea of reservation in private sector telling the industry that "time is running out" for it to act voluntarily.

Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Meira Kumar says she plans to go to the Cabinet with the report of the Group of Ministers on the issue "at the earliest" as the reservation "has to be done and done fast".

In an interview, she, however, declined to hazard any guess on whether the government would act in the matter before the monsoon session of Parliament commencing next month or before the next round of assembly polls including in Uttar Pradesh scheduled early next year.

"There is a lot of pressure on me. I am working under great pressure but I want it to be done, done amicably and without any type of confrontation. Time is running out", Kumar said dismissing suggestions that the issue has been kept on the backburner in the wake of the OBC quota row.

Asked if she is referring to bringing a legislation in this regard, Kumar said "I am not talking about legislation. I am telling the industrial and business houses how to do it.... "

"If they will not do it, then the matter is before the Cabinet and it will decide", she said admitting at the same time that the "reluctance on the part of the industry is petering down and its position has "softened".

LETTER FROM RAJIV GANDHI

2006-06-06T22:01:00.000-07:00

please click on the image to see the contents of the letter

STRIKE BY DELHI DOCTORS AND MEDICAL STUDENTS SUSPENDED

2006-06-05T22:27:00.000-07:00

Wednesday, May 31, 2006 : The entire country has become involved in the movement against the proposed move by Government of India to offer caste-based reservations. This movement has spread widely, and has acquired a pan-national character, reflecting wide spread anger and resentment against this move, and protesting subsequent attempts by the government and its minions to suppress this movement.
In this background, with total apathy exhibited by the legislature and the executive, the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India has rightly intervened in this ongoing agitation, and directed the Government of India to explain the reasons for seeking these reservations. The court has also observed that the strike by doctors should be withdrawn in the interests of patient care.
We welcome this pro-active judgment by the Hon’ble Supreme Court, and reconfirming our full faith in the judiciary, the RDA’s and students of AIIMS,UCMS, MAMC, Safdarjung, LHMC, RML, DDU and IHBAS hereby resume duties with immediate effect, in the interest of patient care. We feel the judiciary has, by this signal judgment, reconfirmed our confidence in the judicial process, and reaffirmed their leading position in evolving a national consensus on this issue. The court has also expressed an opinion about setting up an expert commission, which is welcome. The court has also allayed our fears regarding vindictiveness by the Health Ministry. We were extremely apprehensive about the vindictive attitude of the government and the executive. The minions of the government had been threatening us with dire consequences, and indeed, notices were issued to various doctors. This was felt to be a dire portent of things to come. The Hon’ble Court’s opinion in the matter is welcome.
The movement, now a national movement by the Youth for Equality will continue, and grow from strength to strength.
Youth for Equality

Docs on mass leave; IIT, JNU join strike

2006-05-29T04:23:00.000-07:00

After rejecting the fresh reassurance given by the Prime Minister to the striking medicos, to increase seats, they are all set to heat up tAll the doctors in the capital are on a mass casual leave on Monday and other cities are expected to join in, expressing solidarity with the cause. The faculty of Maulana Azad Medical college (MAMC) would not attend OPD services.
However, the OPDs at the University College of Medical Sciences would continue to function.
On Tuesday the faculty at the All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS) in Delhi have planned a 24-hour hunger strike. Although they would not stop work, they have decided not to eat, as a mark their protest. he 17-day long stir.On Wednesday there will be a complete medical shutdown in Delhi, as called by the medical fraternity. "Every private hospital to corporate health institute and small clinic to medical college will remain closed on Wednesday in support of the fortnight-long agitation", said Dr Vinod patro, President of AIIMS resident doctors' association.
All outpatient departments (OPDs) will be closed. However, emergency and casualty services will operate.
The striking medicos got a boost, as students of the prestigious Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) and Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Delhi began a relay hunger strike at their campuses to express solidarity with them.
Around 15 students each from IIT and JNU began a relay hunger strike in their respective campuses demanding review of the reservation policy and setting up of a judicial commission for the purpose, representatives of 'Youth For Equality' said.
"We are demanding the judicial review because we feel that reservation has not served its purpose for the last 50 years and it should be scrapped," said Sanjay Pandey, who is coordinating the hunger strike stir at both the institutes.
Meanwhile, some senior doctors of the Lady Hardinge Medical College also went on casual leave in support of the anti-quota agitation, representative of ‘Youth for Equality’, which is spearheading the agitation, said.
The striking medicos also disrupted walk-in-interviews for the post of senior doctors at AIIMS on Monday morning, forcing the hospital authorities to postpone the recruitment drive indefinitely.
Medicos had last week stopped walk-in-interviews at Safdarjung Hospital also.
The deadlock over the anti-reservation stir persisted with students on Sunday night rejecting a government proposal not to decrease the number of seats in non-reserved categories in medical educational institutions.
Government has also said that it will examine one of the key demands of striking medicos for constituting an experts committee to go into the issue of quota in central higher education centres.
Students spurned both the proposals, saying they were "superficial" as the government has not specified any time frame for setting up the committee and addressed only the demands of medical students.
The government proposal came after negotiations between medicos and Union minister Oscar Fernandes. The minister later met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh over the issue.
The government's eight-point offer in writing also include raising the retirement age of faculty members of government medical institutions and an assurance that no disciplinary action would be taken against the strikers.

Quota debate and the Orwellian doublespeak

2006-05-29T01:53:00.000-07:00

The Government has shut the quota debate by pronouncing that it has decided. But this, says P. V. INDIRESAN, is iniquitous as it has ordained that no institution — even if it has no government patronage — can admit students free of caste bias. More than the number, the reservation debate must also be about how good are those that get admitted to institutions of higher learning.
Since the last article was written, the Government has announced that, in the matter of reservation in Central universities, the books have been closed.
The books have been closed without any public debate or consultation. Even the Chairman of the high-sounding Scientific Advisory Committee to the Cabinet has plaintively complained that he was not consulted.
The manner the decision has been rushed through demonstrates the contempt the Indian political establishment has for the academic community. At the same time, it would not be wrong to say that the Indian academic community has got what it deserved. In all this turmoil, not one vice-chancellor (with the honourable exception of Prof Deepak Pental of Delhi University) made any comment.
Not one among the IIT faculty, who will be most affected by this decision, has spoken. One of them naively enquired whether they are free to discuss the issue at all.
`BLINKERED HORSES'
IIT faculty are like blinkered race horses: They have commendable skills in their own fields of specialisation but lack broad vision. And courage. IIT alumni are no better. They make brave noises but dare not act. IIT alumni are like the Mahabharata character Uttara, who would boast before the ladies of the anthapura what heroic deeds he was capable of but turn tail in the battlefield.
Indian politicians are past masters of Orwellian doublespeak. They practise caste bias to the n{+t}{+h} degree and blissfully describe it as "secularism". It has been said that if you tell a lie long enough, it will be accepted as truth. One such lie is that IITs colour code applications and answer books of SC/ST students during the entrance examination in order to maliciously fail them. It is a lie but it has been spread around so much that a respected professor in Jawaharlal Nehru University has been asserting it as a fact.
One of the most reputed professors of the same university has been complaining in the press that Indian varsities are opposed to Affirmative Action. He has not bothered to check what IIT Delhi does though only the institute is just across the road for him. The fact of the matter is the cut-off for SC/ST students is two-thirds of the lowest mark among those listed in JEE results. Typically, some 5,000 candidates are listed though available seats are only around 3,000. For that reason, it is not uncommon for SC/ST students to be admitted for a course though their marks are barely a fourth or a fifth of what general category students scored.
In spite of this leniency, not enough students qualify for admission. Hence, those that obtained two-thirds of the minimum two-thirds are offered a Preparatory Course and coached for a year to enable them to gain admission. What more can an IIT do?
Reality distorted
Unfortunately, these figures grossly distort the real capability of SC/ST students. According to a report in The Hindu (August 23, 2004), admissions to the 12 government medical colleges in Tamil Nadu were: Total 1224; SC - 231; MBC - 952 and FC - 28. In the open competition, only 31 in the FC category qualified but the numbers for the others were BC - 315, MBC - 45 and SC - 5. The lowest marks under various categories were: FC - 295.74; BC- 294.26; MBC - 292.13; and SC - 287.50.
Evidently, backward communities are not backward at all. The difference between the SC candidates performance in the JEE and in the Tamil Nadu medical admissions is startling.
The explanation may be competent SC candidates see no profit in writing the difficult JEE examination. While there is reservation for entrance to IITs, there is no reservation for SC/ST graduates of IIT anywhere in the job market.
Quite rightly, they conclude that they would be better off by getting high grades in a less challenging engineering college than a low grade in an IIT.
It may be noted that the "Open Competition" system weighs heavily against forward castes because reserved category students who get in under Open Competition are not counted against their caste quota. That is why FC admissions have been reduced to a farcical 2.3 per cent in Tamil Nadu medical colleges.
Quality not number
It is a matter for regret that every one has fallen into the populist trap and decided that all would be well if the number of seats for open competition is not reduced. The reservation debate is not how many students of forward castes gain admission; it is about how good are those that get admitted.
This move is less than fair to the IIT faculty. Never have the IITs suggested that they want more students of any particular caste. The JEE has many flaws but it is totally free of caste bias.
If the Prime Minister is really serious, let him make at least one concession: Those students, whether admitted under relaxed conditions or regularly, who are unable to cope with IIT standards, will be allowed to be shifted to a less onerous course that may be called BE or B. Tech. (Pass). That is the only way the standard of instruction to the really capable students will not be hindered.
The IITs are finding it increasingly difficult to attract competent faculty: By international standards, facilities are poor. Even by Indian industry standards, salaries are low.
The only attraction the IITs offer is the pleasure of teaching good students. If even that is removed, what hope is there of IITs attracting competent faculty?
STRANGE SILENCE
During pre-Independence days, the legal community systematically challenged the inequities of the British rule. But not one of the successors of Freedom Fighters has cared to speak up for or against the government's move.
Perhaps, they have not realised the true import of what the government is doing: It has ordained that no institution — even if it has no government patronage — can admit students free of caste bias. Orwellian Doublespeak cannot go higher.
No citizen of India is now free to spend post-tax income to educate children in a caste-free institution. The income may be squandered on frills, on luxuries, even on concubines but educate children in a casteless ambience, that is illegal.
If something is illegal, one may still do it by paying a fine, or even by going to a prison. But this bar against casteless institutions is absolute.
No fine, or even an offer to go to prison will let a parent educate his/her children in a casteless school or college.
Even criminals have rights, but no parent has the right to spend his/her own money to educate children in an unprejudiced manner. The Government has shut the debate by pronouncing the "it has decided".
Aurangzeb allowed a person to remain a non-Muslim by paying the jizya. Our "secular" will not allow us even that much liberty; we must accept the government's religion, we have no choice.
(The author is a former Director of IIT Madras. Response may be sent to: indiresan@gmail.com)

Check out the link

2006-05-24T01:30:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone!

I was not aware that a website devoted for the ongoing movement (http://www.youth4equality.org/)
Is already exist and they r doing whatever possible thing they can do. Its our chance to raise our voice and to stand by their side.
Please check the link to know more
http://www.youth4equality.org/

However i will try to update this blog but there r somany blogs of diffrent region exclusively from the members of YOUTH FOR EQUALITY . so better to cooperate them and avoid confusion. Do check the link and sign in online petition .......
http://www.youth4equality.org/

Talks between govt, docs fail, 23 may

2006-05-23T03:47:00.000-07:00

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was today personally involved in efforts to end the ongoing students’ agitation against reservation in higher education, with Health Secretary P Hota holding meetings constantly since morning in three phases with students, interspersed with meetings with the PM. The issue also figured prominently at a meeting the PM had with President A P J Abdul Kalam here.

Speaking at a function to mark the second anniversary of the UPA government today, the PM said, “I request the students to call off their agitation. They should have faith in the government to protect the legitimate interests of all sections of the student community." He added the government would work towards "a fair, just and inclusive" education system and no deserving student would be denied an opportunity.

However, the students said the strike would continue as the government was not accepting their demand to set up a panel to study quota in higher education. Earlier, they had rejected a personal appeal made by the PM on Saturday to withdraw the agitation.

Human Resource Development Minister Arjun Singh also made an appeal to the students through the media to pay heed to the appeal made by the PM. He said that the students should put their faith in the PM and call off the strike.

Students holding talks with Hota said that since the health secretary had turned down their demand for setting up a committee on quota, their strike would continue.

Meanwhile, the PM is currently looking at a clutch of impossible options submitted by the Group of Ministers formed to help the government out of the crisis set off by the announcement of reservation for OBCs in higher education.

According to sources, the first option is to increase seats equivalent to the additional numbers required for reservation in all institutions. The cost for this is calculated to be Rs 8,000 crore with a recurring cost of Rs 2,000 crore every year. The government fears that this option might eat into funds meant to for the equally vital universalisation of primary education. The second option is said to be to go ahead with reservation in all institutions without bothering to create additional seats to protect general category candidates.

The third option is to go for a phased increase in a matter of two to three years, with a 7 per cent quota in the first phase, followed by a 15 per cent in the next and 20 per cent in the third and so on.

Meanwhile, taking a cue from the HRD minister, Social Justice Minister Meira Kumar today threatened to legislate if the private sector did not provide jobs to weaker sections on its own.

She made the statements, perceived to be out of turn, even when the mandate for deciding on this has been given to a 10-member Group of Ministers by the UPA government.A legislation would be considered if nothing was done voluntarily, she told mediapersons today.

Ironically, a note was sent to the Cabinet last week with signatures of Meira Kumar on behalf of the 10-member Group of Ministers.

The note does not propose any law. In fact, the group empowered to take any decision on reservation of jobs seeks to abdicate responsibility saying it did not have a mandate to suggest a constitutional amendment for job reservation, sources said.

The GoM was constituted as per the common minimum programme of the UPA government and it met five times, with one of the meetings being with the industry. The group is headed by Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar.

Alternative to quotas !

2006-05-23T02:51:00.000-07:00

There has predictably been a howl of protest against the HRD ministry's proposal to raise reservation from 22.5 to 49.5 per cent in all central government-funded educational institutions. A cursory perusal of the Mandal Commission report will show that its main emphasis was on the creation of a suitable institutional apparatus to upgrade education and economic levels of OBCs and 27 per cent reservation was only one of its several recommendations. But no action was taken to create this institutional framework, and the govern-ment announced the highly populist policy of 27 per cent reservation. The net outcome was that the creamy layer of the OBCs benefited from it, and the more disadvantaged backwards were left high and dry. At present, the same short-sighted, quick-fix policy is being pursued, and with more unsettling effects. In the last decade or so, India has emerged as a dynamic and fast growing economy. This welcome change has occurred not owing to any radical improvement in quality of governance, but from contributions of a new breed of professionals and entrepreneurs. However, most projections show an impending shortage of trained manpower in India owing to rapidly growing demand. If this welcome momentum were to be sustained, the raising of reservation quota to 49.5 per cent would become a serious hurdle. Whereas it would be unjust to deny OBCs better opportunities for advancement in life, the corrective should be applied in a manner that does not upset the apple cart. It was an authoritarian gesture on part of govern-ment to announce enhanced reservations without consulting heads of various professional institutions. If government had properly explained its views and compulsions to them, and patiently listened to their suggestions, a more viable and constructive approach would have certainly emerged from such interaction. Even now it is not too late to undertake this exercise.As a first step the government should proportionately enhance the intake of candidates in IIMs and IITs to offset any reduction in the number of entrants through open competition. This would also mollify the so-called merit segment of the student community. But this would be only a palliative. The long-term solution lies in enlarging the catchment area of OBC candidates by introducing institutional arrangements to upgrade their competence levels. After all institutions are the backbone of democracy, and institutionalised reforms pay best dividends. But successive governments, groaning under the burden of routine and fire-fighting operations, wake up to pressing issues only on eve of elections, and then rush in with quick-fix solutions. To begin with, it may not be a bad idea if direct reservations are gradually eased out by a system of suitably increasing the cut-off level of OBC candidates for the common admission tests, so that they compete with the open category candidates in a limited way. This will not only impel the former to strive harder for selection, it will cause less heartburn to the latter. But the long-term remedy lies in opening a number of well-staffed regional institutes that prepare OBC students for admission to professional colleges through intensive coaching and individual counselling. In fact, this should have already been done in the case of SC and ST candidates who, even more than half a century after reservations, are still dependent on the crutches of this provision. Most general category students preparing for IITs and IIMs take private coaching while preparing for entrance tests. But as their fees are very steep, OBC candidates cannot afford to join them. If government takes over this burden and opens specially designed institutes for OBC candidates, the outcome is bound to be positive. The fact that Bihar, one of the most backward states, now sends the largest number of candidates to the IAS and central services is mainly due to the emergence of a chain of highly professional coaching institutes. But governments prefer short-term solutions. That is why even after 60 years of Independence all that they have achieved in the field of social engineering is the cheap ploy of reservations.S S GILLcourtesy - Times of India

There has predictably been a howl of protest against the HRD ministry's proposal to raise reservation from 22.5 to 49.5 per cent in all central government-funded educational institutions. A cursory perusal of the Mandal Commission report will show that its main emphasis was on the creation of a suitable institutional apparatus to upgrade education and economic levels of OBCs and 27 per cent reservation was only one of its several recommendations. But no action was taken to create this institutional framework, and the govern-ment announced the highly populist policy of 27 per cent reservation. The net outcome was that the creamy layer of the OBCs benefited from it, and the more disadvantaged backwards were left high and dry. At present, the same short-sighted, quick-fix policy is being pursued, and with more unsettling effects. In the last decade or so, India has emerged as a dynamic and fast growing economy. This welcome change has occurred not owing to any radical improvement in quality of governance, but from contributions of a new breed of professionals and entrepreneurs. However, most projections show an impending shortage of trained manpower in India owing to rapidly growing demand. If this welcome momentum were to be sustained, the raising of reservation quota to 49.5 per cent would become a serious hurdle. Whereas it would be unjust to deny OBCs better opportunities for advancement in life, the corrective should be applied in a manner that does not upset the apple cart. It was an authoritarian gesture on part of govern-ment to announce enhanced reservations without consulting heads of various professional institutions. If government had properly explained its views and compulsions to them, and patiently listened to their suggestions, a more viable and constructive approach would have certainly emerged from such interaction. Even now it is not too late to undertake this exercise.As a first step the government should proportionately enhance the intake of candidates in IIMs and IITs to offset any reduction in the number of entrants through open competition. This would also mollify the so-called merit segment of the student community. But this would be only a palliative. The long-term solution lies in enlarging the catchment area of OBC candidates by introducing institutional arrangements to upgrade their competence levels. After all institutions are the backbone of democracy, and institutionalised reforms pay best dividends. But successive governments, groaning under the burden of routine and fire-fighting operations, wake up to pressing issues only on eve of elections, and then rush in with quick-fix solutions. To begin with, it may not be a bad idea if direct reservations are gradually eased out by a system of suitably increasing the cut-off level of OBC candidates for the common admission tests, so that they compete with the open category candidates in a limited way. This will not only impel the former to strive harder for selection, it will cause less heartburn to the latter. But the long-term remedy lies in opening a number of well-staffed regional institutes that prepare OBC students for admission to professional colleges through intensive coaching and individual counselling. In fact, this should have already been done in the case of SC and ST candidates who, even more than half a century after reservations, are still dependent on the crutches of this provision. Most general category students preparing for IITs and IIMs take private coaching while preparing for entrance tests. But as their fees are very steep, OBC candidates cannot afford to join them. If government takes over this burden and opens specially designed institutes for OBC candidates, the outcome is bound to be positive. The fact that Bihar, one of the most backward states, now sends the largest number of candidates to the IAS and central services is mainly due to the emergence of a chain of highly professional coaching institutes. But governments prefer short-term solutions. That is why even after 60 years of Independence all that they have achieved in the field of social engineering is the cheap ploy of reservations.S S GILLcourtesy - Times of India

DISCLAIMER!

2006-05-23T02:15:00.000-07:00

Hi readers,

This blog is meant for compiling the thought provoking articles on QUOTA ISSUE in India. The present form of blog is the compilation of articles publised in leading dailies, magazines and on web poratals. I may some time forget to mention the name of the author of particular article so he/she is requested to plz remind me so that i include his/her name in the article.
So its purely for information purpose. Even if any authority oir author/writer has any complain about any article, Kindly post the comment, i will try to take necessary step as soon as possible. In fact i would remove that article from the blog.
I believe in the power of people. Waiting for comments and something good from u all!
Hoping for ur cooperation.

True Indian

How heartless it is to let cops thrash unarmed students?

2006-05-23T00:42:00.000-07:00

Story so far: We put our heads together to decide which would be the best way to recruit people for the company. During the headhunting brainstorming, each one tosses up an idea, ranging from referrals to job ads. `Why not ruralise recruitment?' I ask, after narrating how satellite communication makes it possible to interact with candidates in remote areas. We have enough technology to minimise the cost of recruitment, both to the employers and the candidates, I argue.
Episode 129
It took a long time for my colleagues, Chandru and Gupta, to appreciate the efficacy of using the latest technology in recruitment. But I was happy that they could see reason at last. So too, many readers have found the idea eminently workable. "Hi Swati, your article made interesting reading, especially the last section on how satellite connectivity could be used to enable recruitment processes," writes Rajesh Gopal, Head-Retail, MeritTrac Services P Ltd, Bangalore. "It's a coincidence that we are currently driving a similar programme called VtracU. This is a joint initiative between VTU and MeritTrac to enhance employability for VTU graduates." How thrilling! I would like to know more about this, Rajesh.
"Virtuous Enterprise has left a new comment on your post `Technology to minimise the cost of recruitment, both to the employers and the candidates'," reads a mail from Blogger. It's from S.Gnana Haran. "Though I've been a regular reader of BL from day one, it took quite some time for me to read your column despite my wanting to do so. From the time I started reading, I was tempted a number of times to give my comments. Again it took quite some time to do that. Now it seems quite like having a running transaction with this column. This may be the case with a number of other readers as well. Studying this process could provide a lot of insights on how typically serious readers develop an affinity towards a particular column or columnist." Interesting!
"Coming to this week's theme, I just wonder what enormous payoff the country would enjoy if the selection, or election to be precise, of our political leaders was rid of intermediaries. In our country, one of the areas where we have far too many intermediaries is the election process. Is it possible to cut down the unnecessary intermediate players involved in the electioneering process? Apart from bringing down the transaction cost involved, it will promote transparency and a whole lot of benefits. Technology could well come to our rescue in this area as well." A different type of headhunting, I'd say.
Mechanical engineering ignored!
"Dear Swati, I read the column and wanted to send you a mail," writes Pramod Pillai.
"Actually I am a mechanical engineer. I struggled for six years in India to get a good job. Right now I am in Singapore, earning 10 times the salary I would earned in India. I don't know if engineers of the same calibre such as software engineers are ruling the roost in India. Even though I feel mechanical engineering is much tougher than other fields, why is it that in India mechanical engineers get low salaries? A mechanical engineer in the US is almost on par with software engineers, so why the difference here?"
Is it because we lack a focus on manufacturing, I wonder? But Pramod feels that the government's policy needs to be blamed. "There are a lot of projects that have to be incorporated in India and there should be a pay rise for mechanical engineers." All the best, Pramod.
Jambu's model
"Hi Swati, this is Vijay from nirmalabs.org. We are trying to incubate a company here and are looking for good ideas," reads the next mail. "Your article in Business Line was interesting. What caught my eye was LPO. I'm thinking on those lines and looking at IPR." That must be intellectual property right, as my limited intelligence tells me!
"You talked about Jambunath... is he fictional or real?" asks Vijay. Oh, that's my good friend, for real, though we used to call him Jumbo! "If true, can u arrange for me to meet Jambunath. I am interested to know his model. We strictly will not compete with him. As a budding entrepreneur I seek help from you. Can u help me out in learning more about LPO?" Let me check with Jumbo... er... Jambu and revert.
Budding entrepreneur
"Hello, my name is Shilpa and I'm 20 years old. I live in Mangalore, Karnataka," begins the next mail. "I read your article regarding the LPO and I'm interested in knowing the various avenues outsourcing has to offer. I am deeply inclined towards opening an outsourcing unit in Mangalore as we have only two BPOs . I would like to obtain the information required in setting up a unit in the field of accounting outsourcing or any other unconventional field so that I can tap the right customers. I hope you will fill me in with the necessary details." Good luck, Shilpa. Mail in your specific doubts, or better post them on my blog. On seeing `unconventional' in your mail, I remembered what a friend told me recently — that she's starting a WPO. Is W for `worry', I asked? No, for winners, she said.
Work at the high end
"Dear Swati, I follow your column regularly. I just wanted to comment on your current week's article where you have touched on KPO- LPO," writes Vidhya, Chief Operating Officer, Integrated Brand-comm Pvt Ltd, Chennai. "Our BPO business has been criticised for the low end of the value — creating Jims and Janes and a bunch of confused young Indians — apart from bad PR for the country as snatching jobs for peanuts. Recently I had the occasion to meet a senior statesman from the US. He made the following observations: Every dollar outsourced earns them $1.35; most of the deals outsourced are done so not only for cost — but also because there is no way they can ramp up 800 guys at on place with the skills needed — insufficient manpower — so though it may seem like they are giving away 800 jobs — there are just not enough folks there who qualify to be employed."
Vidhya is unhappy that most of India's bad PR results in the way media plays up such deals. "Offshore, Bangalored and so on are actually a result of Indian media's negative portrayal of jobs shifting to India. We have never shown pride in our professional capability, which is the true competitive advantage, while the numbers (of candidates) certainly are a comparative advantage. We have only played up number of jobs and cost.
It is indeed good to learn that there is so much happening in value added areas such as KPO and LPO. World Bank, Chennai centre processes back office requirements for the entire world — which means we are slowly building experts in very specialised areas like law, taxation etc."
Vidhya continues: "I have a friend Chandu who is one of the promoters of Scope E knowledge — and one of the very niche areas are creating patent documents — which means you understand the science and economics of it before you create a legal protection through IPR." Tell me more about such niche areas, Vidhya. "It will be nice if the media takes up these angles and gives India a knowledge image rather than a low end back room supplier status — it will help us all get better realisations." I agree.
"On the subject of rural recruitments — one of our clients — Ma Foi, who are leaders in HR, have been pioneers in setting up associates in B and C towns to identify talent for their clients. The franchisee model has provided Ma Foi with the geographical spread for talent sourcing and has ensured efficient delivery for both flexi and permanent staffing businesses. May be, you should speak to them for their experience." Definitely, I will.
A festering issue
During the week, I volunteered to help out at a makeshift pandal where agitating medical students were providing attention to sick patients. Using the skills that I'd learnt as a girl guide and thereafter from Red Cross, I monitored temperatures, filled in the columns of case sheets, and measured blood pressure. Meanwhile, outside the pandal, striking doctors and students were staging a noisy protest. All of a sudden, there was some scuffle and the next thing I saw was the heartless thrashing by cops of unarmed students. `Most savage and unnatural!' I told myself, remembering a line from King Lear.
Is the ongoing reservation turmoil the latest tragedy we are witness to, I wondered. Send in your thoughts by Friday.
Swati_CA@hotmail.com
http://swati-ca.blogspot.com/

Education reform, a better bet than quotas

2006-05-23T00:39:00.000-07:00

IF THE POLITICIANS actually work to improve schooling systems instead of scoring political points, there would be no need for quotas at all. — Ashoke Chakrabarty
The question of reserving, by mandate or decree, a number of places so that educational and employment opportunities may be made available to members of historically backward or depressed classes is exceedingly emotive for members on either side of the divide.
The opponents, often numerically far smaller than proponents, feel that imposition of quotas shrinks their opportunity set and exacerbates the intensity of competition for what is available.
Mancur Olson, in a path-breaking book The Logic of Collective Action, written over 40 years ago, described the tendency of a small group to acquire dominance over a much larger group, because the benefits of activities undertaken by members of the larger group would be dissipated over a much larger base. This would reduce incentives for action, even for self-protection, by members of that larger group.
The cost-benefit calculus does not operate in favour of activities undertaken by a large group. Consequently, a much smaller group would be able to establish its position and thereafter dominance.
This process also underlies the rent-seeking phenomenon that liberal Public Choice theorists study and is exactly the same process of interest-group formation that radical Marxists describe.
Negative effect
The evidence on the economic consequences of such affirmative action policies, by whatever name called, in countries as disparate as India, Malaysia, Sri Lanka and the US, is mixed.
As documented by Mr Thomas Sowell, an African-American academic, in a 2004 book, Affirmative Action Around the World: An Empirical Study, the evidence on the benefits of affirmative action is sharply negative. Affirmative action plans do not work. He finds that in Tamil Nadu, just over 10 per cent of the backward classes category has received over half the admissions and jobs reserved for backward classes.
In Malaysia, the richest 17 per cent of the bhumiputras have received over half the admissions reserved for Malays, and in Sri Lanka, a tiny minority of the Sinhalese elite has received the maximum benefits. In the US, a small minority of Blacks, particularly in the Washington, D.C. area and the Eastern Corridor, are firmly in the middle-class while the majority live in urban ghettos that would put many developing country ghettos to shame for their egregiousness.
The US, as a result, is in critical danger of becoming two nations — one very rich and the other very poor, in which abject poverty, crime and violence are day-to-day features of life.
It is the ruling elite among the disadvantaged classes that has skimmed the cream of opportunities available, leaving the vast majority of the truly disadvantaged still in the slough of despond from which they have been unable to extricate themselves. The vast majority, thus, will always be held at ransom by a minority and it is only a matter of time before the minority consists of members of both the forward as well as the backward classes, as the emerging global evidence shows.
Only a palliative
For a start, there is absolutely no denying that affirmative actions were required to redress the inequalities that society had inflicted on certain groups over centuries.
Affirmative action was a correction for the past, and in that sense was to act a palliative, but was not meant to be a permanent institution for the future.
Affirmative action was not meant to be a continuous mea culpa for the sins of the fathers and grandfathers. After some time, such an approach would wear rather thin with both the oppressed and the oppressors. It is an inescapable conclusion that affirmative actions are only temporary until the playing field is levelled.
A level-playing field would only become possible when the quality of primary and secondary school education is of a consistently high quality and equally available to all, irrespective of colour and race.
The real problem is not affirmative action, or fixing of quotas for admission to institutions of higher learning, but a lack of nerve on the part of politicians to implement the basic and fundamental changes required, in areas such as primary and secondary education.
Truly critical social changes, such as land reform in India, only undertaken competently in West Bengal, as a result of which the ruling party has been returned to power in seven consecutive elections, which is a world record, or reforms in primary and secondary education, have tended to be topics that are just not glamourous enough for politicians to bother about.
Education, the key
Therein lies the source of the problem. If the Union Education Minister, and his predecessors over the years, were not bothered about scoring political points, and instead concentrated on the mandate of actually improving the primary and secondary school systems across the country, there would be no need for quotas at all.
Irrespective of the community, caste, colour or creed, students seeking admission to institutions of higher learning would find that they are able to get in on their own merit. Schools everywhere should be good, so that all children grow up equally advantaged.
If indeed any assistance was required, tests could establish whether these eligible candidates need to be given scholarships that cover their period of study.
The philosophy driving such a programme would be that it is better to teach a man to fish, and be self-reliant, so that he can eat for life rather than give him a fish that he can eat for just a day. It is far easier, as a reforms measure, to simply mandate a quota and get populist approval than to implement root and branch education reforms in a country the size of India with its myriad complexities.
Successive governments have taken this simplistic approach to reforms over the years. It is easier to ignore the micro-details and hope things will eventually get sorted out.
While the concept of India being the knowledge economy of the future is a wonderfully seductive thought, it merely anaesthetises us from the reality of hard work that serious root and branch reforms require in the education sector for India to be taken seriously as a global player in the knowledge economy.
(The author is Professor of Technology Strategy, University of Texas at Dallas. He can be contacted at majumdar@utdallas.edu)

Knowledge panel for holistic study of reservation issue

2006-05-23T00:34:00.000-07:00

The National Knowledge Commission (NKC) has said there is a need to study the issue of reservation in educational institutions holistically to look at whether the historical instrument of providing access to education through quotas is the solution for the future, or whether there are better avenues of affirmative action.
Addressing media persons here, the NKC Chairman, Mr Sam Pitroda, advocated increasing the number of universities and colleges in the country. "At present, only seven to eight per cent of our population under the age of 25 get to go to college. We need to increase it 20 per cent. Why can't we have 70 IITs instead of just seven," he said.
No simple answer
Asked about the Commission's views on whether there was a need for reservation, Mr Pitroda said, "It is not a simple yes or no. We all agree that there should be equal opportunity for every child and that if the child is capable, the society must provide resources for that child to go through the best possible education institution. But how do you do that? In the past we have done it with quotas — in the future is that the answer? Before we say yes, let us examine it, and look at new reality of future."
He said that the Commission would analyse the outcome of reservation in the past, and its results.
Re-engineering processes
Mr Pitroda emphasised that Government processes needed to be re-engineered, before computerisation. "For instance, we currently have 11 different identity cards including voter ID card and ration card. Why can't we have one unique number like the social security number, from where everything can flow. Such a solution will be simple and cost effective. But the various departments feel the need for separate numbers," he said.
Mr Pitroda said the Knowledge Commission would soon present its views in areas including translation, libraries, distance education and undergraduate education.

The price of reservation !!

2006-05-23T00:28:00.000-07:00

Usually, media memory is short. Most stories are forgotten at the end of the day; few last a week. Unusually, interest in the reservation controversy has not died down even after two months. Evidently, this controversy touches a raw nerve; people cannot get over their hurt easily.
Considering the degree of interest in the topic, there is surprisingly few hard facts known about the issue. IITs have had reservation for students belonging to the Scheduled Castes and Tribes for over 30 years. There is no public information of how the beneficiaries have fared, or how well they have performed in the profession compared to regular students, or compared to SC/ST students from other less prestigious colleges.
Tamil Nadu experience
Tamil Nadu has the longest experience with reservation. With almost 80 per cent admissions and posts reserved, it has the most extensive application of that device. The Tamil Nadu experience can be described both as a success and as a failure. It is a success because backward castes have wrested the leadership — both in the academic and administrative spheres — apart from acquiring total command of the political space. Not only have the backward castes taken command, they have also made Tamil Nadu one of the most successful States.
Reservation in Tamil Nadu can also be declared as a failure on two counts: Even after three-quarters of a century, the backward castes are unwilling to compete openly. There are third, even fourth generation beneficiaries of reservation who are unable to get over their dependence on the handicaps reservation provides for them. It appears, reservation is a crutch, not a remedy.
The success of backward castes in Tamil Nadu appears to be partly due to emigration of upper castes: There are few Brahmins, Mudaliars, Naidus, Pillais or Chettiars to contend with; quite a few have migrated out of the State. There is no analysis how far the loss of so much human capital has hurt (or helped) the State.
Yet, it would be incorrect to conclude that backward castes can never stand up to competition. Once again, we have no hard data to rely on. However, anecdotal evidence points to the view that competent persons among the backward castes never flaunt their caste badge; they want to be known and respected for what they achieve — they stand tall. On the other hand, weaker but ambitious persons make their caste a fetish. They make noise louder and frequently; they get noticed more often.
Consider the visibility of capable students in the job market. They know what they want. They get selected promptly and vanish from the scene after no more than one or two job interviews. The least competitive ones are unsure of where they can succeed. They try again and again only to be rejected. They are noticeable everywhere. Particularly when they wear the caste badge, they will be shortlisted even when not well qualified.
Fooled by noise
With competent students appearing but few times, the less competent ones appearing frequently, the latter appear to be far larger in numbers than they actually are. Logically, the proportion of competent backward castes must be several times higher than what they appear to be in selection committees. That is like the case of a farmer who ruefully remarked after promising to supply a thousand frogs "the noise sure fooled me!"
There is yet another reason why backward students under-perform. As a natural corollary of the Reservation Principle, teaching posts have been reserved on caste basis. That is a cardinal error. What poor students need most are the best teachers available, not the least qualified. Dr Sowell, a distinguished professor from Stanford, was once asked on his visit to Madras (as it was then) whether he would prefer Black teachers to teach Black students (Prof Sowell is Black.) His answer was, "I do not care whether the teacher is White, Black or Blue; I want the best!"
Quality teaching, the key
Unfortunately, this basic principle has been discarded by our policymakers, who have grossly under-estimated the importance of teaching quality. In the process, they have run down state-run schools. In the past fifty years, the population of Chennai has increased almost ten times. Yet, many schools run by the City Corporation have been closed for "want of students". In truth, it cannot be that the students, but the quality of teachers selected that was found wanting.
It is a recorded fact that discipline among school teachers has come down. Across the country, half the time teachers are not attending to class work at all. It is a fact that most students in Delhi's Corporation schools cannot do simple arithmetic — multiply two-digit numbers — even after five years of education. Yet, as one NIIT experiment has shown, given a chance, they can pick up computer skills on their own.
In the prevailing ethos of reservation, a person can get the benefits of reservation without making any payment in return. That contravenes a natural law that is colloquially described as "there is no free lunch". In engineering, such systems are known as "perpetual-motion" machines, machines that run forever without any input. For every transaction, there has to be entries on both sides of the ledger. A price has to be paid for the gains made by reservation. There is no escape from that law. Then, what is the price the beneficiaries of reservation pay for the benefit they get? One price they have paid is lowered quality of education in state-run schools, inferior opportunities to learn; in consequence, endemic poverty too. Is that price worth paying?
As one correspondent has pointed out, reservation is like declaring a boundary scored in a cricket game as a six if hit by a backward caste player. Such artificial boost appears beneficial. It may not be. As one SC student remarked: "I won a degree in the IIT but lost my self-image." How many students would have done better with their lives if they had been exposed to what they can master, instead of being subjected to a difficult drill for which they were not trained, we do not know.
How far has the Reservation Policy has helped the poor, has reduced the rich-poor gap? The average family income of SC students in IIM Ahmedabad is twice that of the others. Is that an exception, or is it true of other institutions too? That is the problem: We have no data on which to base reasoned decisions. Our political masters are unwilling to generate much needed information on this issue, nor or they willing to consider any alternative. At the same time, they have acquired the power to declare as constitutionally illegal any institution that operates on a caste-free basis.
Friend or foe?
Is everyone who promotes reservation a friend of the backward castes? Is everyone who questions reservation at university level an enemy of backward castes?
Who hurts backward castes more: Those who deny good school education or those who want well-run schools?
A proposal to identify and give special education to talented backward caste students has been before the government for over 25 years, and still finds no support. Strange are the ways of our democracy, of government of some people, by some people for themselves.
(The author is a former Director of IIT Madras. Response may be sent to: indiresan@gmail.com)

Salt to wound!!!!!!!!!!!1

2006-05-23T00:17:00.000-07:00

Legislation for quota in pvt sector?

Its really deprobale. Its like katriuna and reeta the twosome coming on the wake one after another . seems the Govt. dont want the peace affacionados to leave peacefully. I dont know but if the story will be like this the day is nt that far when new movement will start for separate country for upper class.

The Government would be forced to bring in legislation for reservation in private sector, if the sector does not provide reservation for weaker sections of the society on a voluntary basis, the Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment, Ms Meira Kumar, said here on Monday.
Referring to the two-year time frame given in UPA's Common Minimum Programme for providing reservation in private sectors, she said some more time could be given to them for taking steps in this direction. "But, at the end if they don't do it voluntarily, the Government would be compelled to bring in a legislation to enforce reservation in private sectors," she told reporters here.

Million Dollar Flaw !!!!!!!!!!1

2006-05-23T00:14:00.000-07:00

In bid to neutralise the effect of the proposed 27 per cent reservation for Other Backward Castes in educational institutions, the Government has mooted increasing the number of seats in the `general' category.
This approach suffers from a serious flaw.
Assume there are 100 seats in an institution. The 27 per cent OBC quota means 27 seats less for the general category. Now, the plan is to increase the total number of seats from 100 to 127. The general category can be protected only if the entire increment is allocated to it. But that would violate the law, as then the share of the Scheduled Castes, Tribes and OBCs will go below 49.5 per cent.
The law will not be violated only if out of the incremental 27 seats, about 13 (49.5 per cent) are allotted to SC, ST and OBC candidates. In that case, the Government is not fully neutralising the loss of seats to the general category.
The fact of the matter is that with a decision to reserve 27 per cent for OBC, it is impossible for the Government to offset the loss for the general students while remaining within the remit of the law.
It is absolutely necessary to keep the above fundamentals in mind while formulating suitable proposals in this regard."
Uttam Gupta
New Delhi

Will the 'knowledge economy' survive?

2006-05-22T23:54:00.000-07:00

Doctors’ agitation over the reservation issue may snowball into a mass movement by IIT and IIM professionals. A group of IIT-ians are planning to set up a co-ordination group of doctors, engineers and management professionals to save the country’s ‘knowledge economy’. The IIT-ians are also planning to approach PM Manmohan Singh with a suggestion to constitute a group of experts under the chairmanship of Rahul Gandhi to take stock of the progress made by government in the field of education and publish a white paper. “Mr Gandhi, in his solitary address to Parliament, had talked about education. Let him be appointed by the PM as chairperson of a group consisting two young parliamentarians and alumnus from IITs, IIMs and medical fields to do a spot check and make a white paper on the utilisation of education cess,” IIT Kharagpur Foundation secretary YPS Suri said. approach the PM with our demand,” he added. In order to extend their support to agitating medicos, IIT-ians are planning to set up a co-ordination group against reservation in technical institutions.

Delhi-IITians plan suicide

2006-05-22T23:52:00.000-07:00

A group of IIT Delhi students on Sunday submitted a memorandum to President Kalam, seeking permission to commit suicide if reservation is implemented. The students gave the memorandum to the President’s secretariat, saying they have no other option left if such legislation came into force, said Safal, a representative of the Youth For Equality.

Anti-quota stir intensifies, students, parents, faculty hit the streets

2006-05-22T23:04:00.000-07:00

The anti-quota agitation by the medicos further intensified today with students, parents and members of medical faculty taking out a massive silent protest march in the national capital amid tight security. The striking medicos under the banner of ‘Youth for Equality’ were joined by students from the Delhi University, medical colleges around the capital, parents of some agitating students, lawyers and a group of chartered accountants. Thousands of students were marching from the Maulana Azad Medical College in Central Delhi towards Jantar Mantar near Parliament House, where the rally culminates, the second such street protest in the capital in ten days. Carrying placards like “reserve Vs deserve” and “1947: freedom from British, 2006: freedom from caste politics, the march, which stretched about a kilometre, was led by motivational guru Shiv Khera and cricketer-turned-politician Navjot Singh Sidhu. With yesterday’s police action on pro-quota students in Patna fresh in their mind, the students are taking no chances and are keeping a tight vigil to ensure that no outsiders enter the rally. “We want a peaceful rally and also avoid any confrontation with police and pro-reservation activists,” Dr Anand, a representative for ‘Youth for Equality’, said. The medicos, who were on the seventh day of the agitation, were demanding a complete rollback of the proposed 27.5 per cent quota for OBCs in elite educational institutions and a review of the existing reservation policy. Keen to avoid any confrontation with the police, the students have also decided not to indulge in slogan shouting. “Let us not raise slogans and allow our silence to speak,” Dr Harsh, a member of Youth for Equality, said. They are also carrying national tricolours and singing patriotic songs. A large number of security personnel were deployed along the rally route with Rapid Action Force jawans keeping a tight vigil. Delhi police have deployed over 500 personnel as a precautionary measure.Students have also formed human chain to remain in order and to prevent protestors spilling over the entire road disrupting traffic movement. Meanwhile, the Group of Ministers created to deal with the issue today forwarded its report to the Prime Minister, favouring implementation of the quota for OBCs as soon as possible and recommending an increase in seats in elite educational institutions. Toughening its stand, the Health Ministry warned that stringent action would be taken against medicos who continue to abstain from work to oppose the proposed reservations .

Scholarship not quota!

2006-05-22T23:01:00.000-07:00

When the cabinet meets to consider the proposal for raising caste reservations in institutions of higher learning from 22.5% to 49.5% it should imagine itself to be the admissions committee of one of the Indian Institutes of Technology. It has to choose whether to admit the son of a backward caste businessman from a posh South Delhi address who received low marks or the son of a poor brahmin schoolteacher in Muzaffarpur who got much higher marks. Under Arjun Singh's proposal, the IITs will be forced to admit the privileged son of an OBC businessman and reject the high scoring school teacher's son. There are a number of lessons to be learned from this thought game. First, our innate sense of fairness accepts more easily reservations for the poor rather than for the 'low' caste. Second, lowering admission standards for one group is unfair because it treats equals unequally and offends our idea of a just, merit based society. Third, it is unjust when beneficiaries of reservations are prosperous lower-caste persons, whom the Supreme Court called the 'creamy layer'. Why then should the government play this cruel, morally offensive joke? The reason is that there is a strong case for affirmative action, which has been made far more eloquently by the US Supreme Court. While US courts have always opposed quotas on grounds of reverse discrimination (meaning unequal treatment of equals), they have enthusiastically supported vigorous efforts to raise blacks and women on grounds of diversity and integration. Even in the recent Michigan University judgment, Justice O'Connor wrote glowingly about the benefits of a diverse student body. The best reason for preferences (which she didn't emphasise enough) is that a university's role in society is to develop leaders from diverse communities. If India's future leaders in commerce, arts and the professions come only from the 15% upper caste, the losers would not be the lower castes alone, but the Indian people, who would have failed to create a healthy, integrated society. The way to create leaders from the low castes is not through reservations but through scholarships, beginning in the first grade. Alas, most of our government schools, which were our greatest hope, are so rotten that there is no hope there for lifting anyone.
Therefore, I would propose scholarships for 25% of the seats in all private schools and colleges subject to these four conditions: one, scholarships should not be caste-based, but economic. This preserves the idea that we are not for a casteist future; and it prevents the 'creamy layer' from grabbing the rewards. Second, government must fully pay for these scholarships from the 2% education cess; it would be wrong to ask schools to bear it. Third, government must not interfere with a school's autonomy. Finally, standards must not be allowed to fall. I would extend this scheme gradually, starting from below, thus giving institutions time to expand their facilities and the low caste to get acculturated. Enrollments for the disadvantaged would be additional; thus, merit candidates would not be deprived, as they would be with reservations. When the cabinet meets, it might also remember how badly history treats the self-serving proponents of caste reservations. If there were glory or votes in reservations, VP Singh would have been a respected leader today, even a PM. And Janata Dal would have been a strong, vibrant party. Instead, both lie in the dustbin of history.

A hot summer of envy

2006-05-22T22:56:00.000-07:00

Ever since the state election results, there has been more than the usual talk about "soaking the greedy middle class" by the emboldened Left. As it is, this government has been obsessed with redistributing poverty, and has done too little to create prosperity, which will only come through genuine reforms. Meanwhile, Arjun Singh, smelling an opportunity to become a Left immortal, has trumped his OBC coalition partners and declared a caste war. It promises to be a long hot summer of envy. S Narayan, the former finance secretary and economic advisor to the PM, writes that the real motive behind Arjun Singh's move to extend reservations is envy. Having failed to improve government institutions, our babus and netas now want to control private ones. It will give them the clout to "visit, examine, ask questions and be feted by" the elite. He has a point. There are 265 universities in India, almost all of them under government control. Only about 25 of these are any good. The rest seldom produce an employable graduate. If government would focus on improving the quality of the 240 bad institutions, it would do more for the millions of OBCs than to throw them a few crumbs in the IITs and IIMs. If we rapidly increased the supply of good institutions there would be no need for reservations. But this would mean doing hard work, and it's a lot easier to redistribute poverty. If greed is the vice of capitalism, envy is the flaw of socialism. "From each according to ability and to each according to his need", was the rallying cry of MaSocialist societies, however, turned out to be the most envious in history. "The searing heartburn of envy causes a choking feeling in the throat, squeezes the eyes out of their sockets", says a character in Y. Olesha's 1929 novella set in the Soviet Union, where turning in your neighbour for his perceived advantage became a way of life. Envy is felt more strongly between near equals than those widely separated in fortune. It doesn't make sense to envy the Queen of England, does it? Envy is different from jealousy one is jealous about what one has, but envious about what others have. The philosopher, John Rawls wrote: "A person who envies another is prepared to make both persons worse off to reduce the gap between them." Envy was a major factor behind the killing of Pramod Mahajan. That wonderful character in the Mahabharata, Karna, struck a great blow against the caste system when he refused to switch sides. He stood up courageously to his mother. He told her that his 'real' parents were his low caste family who had brought him up and not the royal one into which he had been born. Thus, he rejected society's claim that status arises from birth. Although Karna was against the caste system, he was not envious. He was born with great talent, which was nurtured by private sector rishis rather than CPM's unionised time-servers. He would have supported merit and vehemently opposed reservations. He would have embraced the affirmative action proposal I made in my last column, which would promote excellence and equity. Manmohan Singh, the economist, will quickly appreciate the lesson from Karna's story we must expand India's talent pool without lowering standards. Thus, he would be wiser if he listens to Karna rather than his envy inspired populist colleagues. rxism as it set out to create a classless, egalitarian society.

Gurchran Das , TOI

PM panel loses two wise men

2006-05-22T22:47:00.000-07:00

In a major jolt to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, two members of the National Knowledge Commission, Pratap Bhanu Mehta and Andre Beteille, resigned in protest over the PM’s failure to defend the commission against criticism that it lacked competence to take a view on the OBC quota issue. Disappointed by Singh’s silence on the quota controversy, Mehta and Beteille quit NKC on Monday. The members had opposed union HRD minister Arjun Singh’s proposal to reserve 27% seats for OBCs in central universities and institutions. The resignations are a setback to the PM as NKC is his pet project and its members were virtually handpicked by him. It was set up less than a year ago with the mandate to guiding reforms that will "transform India into a strong and vibrant knowledge economy in coming years."

Quota: Seat hike will take 3-5 years

2006-05-22T22:36:00.000-07:00

It’s not merely a question of raising Rs 8,000 crore more for higher education. UPA government’s solution to the MandalII muddle — increase capacity to ensure there’s no reduction in general category seats after implementation of the 27% OBC quota — senior officials of Central universities and premier professional institutes say, will take "three to five years" to implement without any dilution in quality. According to Delhi University vice-chancellor Deepak Pental, "If we go by accepted teacher-taught ratios in the university, we are in no position to increase seats for the next three years. Any increase after that too would require infrastructure development on a war-footing. Quality is very important. Affirmative action while compromising on quality is not a good idea."