New world order

New world order – as a result of civilisation clashes

World politics entered a new phase after 9/11 world trade centre bombings. Two visions have taken the centre stage in this new phase. Each of these visions catches aspects of the emerging reality.

Any new world order historically has been preceded by chaos and conflicts. The fundamental source of conflict in this new phase our world has entered will be on two primary fronts one being ideological (religion) and other being economic. The dominant of these factors would be cultural which is akin to ideological. Nation states will remain the most powerful actors in world affairs, but the principal conflicts of global politics will occur between nations and groups of different civilizations of whose examples we are seeing it be in Middle East, Kashmir, Iraq, some call this jihad and other call this terrorism. The clash of civilizations will dominate global politics. The fault lines between civilizations will be the battle lines of the future.

Civilization is a cultural entity, is thus the highest cultural grouping of people. Civilization identity will be increasingly important in the future, and the world will be shaped in large measure by the interactions among seven or eight major civilizations. These include Western, Confucian, Japanese, Islamic, Hindu, Slavic-Orthodox, Latin American and possibly African civilization. The most important conflicts of the future will occur along the cultural fault lines separating these civilizations from one another and in particular we are in the beginning of a greater conflict between the Western and Islamic world.
Why is the conflict? Primarily differences among civilizations are not only real; they are basic. Civilizations are differentiated from each other by history, language, culture, tradition and, most important, religion. The people of different civilizations have different views on the relationship with God. These differences are the product of centuries of suspicion and audacity which stems from the misinterpretations of the word of god and will not disappear soon. They are far more fundamental and deep rooted than when compared to differences among political ideologies and political regimes.
In much of the world religion has moved in to fill this gap, often in the form of movements that are labelled fundamentalist." Such movements are found in Western Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism and Hinduism, as well as in Islam. In most countries and most religions the people active in fundamentalist movements are young, college-educated, middle- class technicians, professionals and business persons.
West is at a peak of power. At the same time, perhaps as a result, a return to the roots phenomenon is occurring among non-Western civilizations. Increasingly one hears references to trends toward a turning inward and "Asianization" in Japan, the end of the Nehru legacy and the "Hinduization" of India, the failure of Western ideas of socialism and nationalism and hence "re-Islamization" of the Middle East, and now a debate over Westernization versus Russianization in the former USSR. A West at the peak of its power confronts non-Wests that increasingly have the desire, the will and the resources to shape the world in non-Western ways.
Conflict along the fault line between Western and Islamic civilizations has been going on for 1,300 years. After World War II, the West, in turn, began to retreat; the colonial empires disappeared; first Arab nationalism and then Islamic fundamentalism manifested themselves; the West became heavily dependent on the Persian Gulf countries for its energy; the oil-rich Muslim countries became money-rich and, when they wished to, weapons-rich. Several wars occurred between Arabs and Israel (created by the West). British and French forces invaded Egypt in 1956; American forces went into Lebanon in 1958; subsequently American forces returned to Lebanon, attacked Libya, and engaged in various military encounters with Iran; Arab and Islamic terrorists, supported by at least three Middle Eastern governments, employed the weapon of the weak and bombed Western planes and installations and seized Western hostages. This warfare between Arabs and the West culminated in 1990, when the United States sent a massive army to the Persian Gulf to defend some Arab countries against aggression by another. This centuries-old military interaction between the West and Islam is unlikely to decline. It could become more virulent. The Gulf War left some Arabs feeling proud that Saddam Hussein had attacked Israel and stood up to the West. It also left many feeling humiliated and resentful of the West's military presence in the Persian Gulf, the West's overwhelming military dominance, and their apparent inability to shape their own destiny. Many Arab countries, in addition to the oil exporters, are reaching levels of economic and social development where autocratic forms of government become inappropriate and efforts to introduce democracy become stronger. Some openings in Arab political systems have already occurred. The principal beneficiaries of these openings have been Islamist movements. In the Arab world, in short, Western democracy strengthens anti-Western political forces. This may be a passing phenomenon, but it surely complicates relations between Islamic countries and the West.
The conflict of civilizations is deeply rooted elsewhere in Asia, though not on religious lines for now, but clearly showing sings of religious unrest. The historic clash between Muslims and Hindus in the subcontinent manifests itself now not only in the rivalry between Pakistan and India but also in intensifying religious strife within India between increasingly ultra right wing Hindu groups and India's substantial Muslim minority. The destruction of Babri Mazjid in Dec 92 brought to the fore the issue of whether India will remain a secular democratic state or become a Hindu one, and ever since then there is an ongoing struggle between secularists on one side and fundamental groups on the other side.

It is in the sweep of the Islamic nations from Maghreb to Pakistan that the struggle for a new world order will begin.

Nuclear Club - Is this false security

Nuclear World - The debate continues on two fronts Security and Energy

Contemporary British – Indian politics: and a lesson for us

In the span of 45days British politics has seen a yearly gala of political conventions. Starting from leadership race of fringe right wing conservatives (euro sceptics) in the form of UKIP, moving onto the liberal movement (Liberal Democrats) of British politics synonyms to third front of Indian politics, to the ruling Labour party where we saw the incumbent Prime Minister giving his farewell speech and would be PMs making a pitch for leadership race and finally Tory party convention which saw their leader firmly seated to bring back Tories to power.

Now, you may ask what is so special about these political party conventions, as the same happens in India and that too in plenty and great pomp and glory both in terms of people attending the conventions and also in terms of grandeur.
The answer is there is a fundamental differences on two accounts one being the conventions are attended by those die hard party loyalists and members right from the block level upwards and the other is of even greater importance for us to take note of is these party conventions primarily discuss not just the leadership issue, but also in thread bare on different issues and policies that needs to be addressed and has impact on the country at large.

Let’s take an analogy to extrapolate on the differences between Indian and British polity.
Ruling party: Labour party in govt in UK = UPA in India
Main Opposition: Tory party in main opposition = NDA
Third front: Lib Democrats = SP+ other parties and can include Left front as well

Ruling party:
With the spectacular farewell speech probably Tony Blair made party want to have more of him, but the political die had been cast, he was explicitly made to say when he would be bowing out of office by deft political mechanisations. But this was just one piece of the convention, where the majority of time was spent on explaining govt policies, just to list education reforms, foreign policy, home and security (all ministers addressed the conventions as per their ministerial duties).
On the contrary in India, ruling party skirts controversies day in and day out an need to be bailed out by PM or the party president . Policy decisions are made without any logic and sometimes even the cabinet gets to know at it in the nth minute. No say of party cadres in terms of decision making. Though Sonia Gandhi and Manmohan Singh have duties cut out, there still seems to be lack of co-ordination between party and govt, and there are a huge ignorance levels and communication gap between party cadres and party leaders and that to govt ministers on all major issues.
The lesson we should learn here is party conventions are not meant for pomp and glorification of party leadership by sycophants, rather it should be meant to put it across to the party workers govt policies as these are the foot soldiers who shall garner votes for the party leadership (charisma works once or twice, but ground level workers are needed for party to make a impact).

Main Opposition:
Probably here I can draw more similarities and you can conclude if there are worth being applauded, but there are precise lessons our main opposition needs to take note and act upon.
Similarities being, “Less or No policy talk”, quick to jump on hypes and sensational news to give out sound bytes (to keep oneself in news rather than any thing significant), new leadership, skirt issues of significance by playing to public mood. Party heavy weights are consigned to backroom role.
Difference being: democracy is not held to ransom inside parliament, no walk outs or abstinence, discuss issues thread bare according to the parliamentary norms. Have strong performers in the parliament in terms of shadowing the govt, which is missing in Indian political system

Third front: have their fair share of problems, probably in India, the 3rs front is more politically potent not with new ideas but based on opportunistic alliances and by making use of all possible trick to get to power.

If India in the century wants to make its present felt in the world order there needs to be improvements not just in the economy and infrastructure, but also political leadership of the country needs to take a step back and make the necessary reforms.
Here the famed Indian middle class can play a pivotal role to shape up the India polity, to make it more transparent, accountable and visionary.

To reiterate, India needs a political environment where policies are made my politicians with them representing the pulse of the Indian public and keeping Indian interests at large. Making use of parliament to make and debate policies thread bare and not to indulge in petty media sound bytes. Only with mature and dynamic political leadership can we build a brighter India.

Thus “Need of the hour = Mature Political leadership + change in attitude of public towards polity”

India's Future

India has been looked up along with China as the next power house in the international order along with being the growing economies in the world from the beginning of this century. Where there is no doubt on China, with its mass market, manufacturing power house and being the permanent member of UNSC it is firmly placed at the top end of the international order.

Though, India being a largest democracy in the world and when in the past was offered a place at the top end of international order refused to accept it. This was due to then prevalent conditions and issues in independent India like poverty, economic balance, skilled labour and self sustainability. In hindsight it seems we missed our chance, but to state the matter of fact our founding fathers wanted India to be self content and increase our capabilities before we take our place in the world order.

Lots of water has flow down the river ever since we India refused to accept a place in the world order. Events like green revolution, setting up of strong public sectors and to the latest opening up of economy thus starting the process of privatisation (after public sectors help strengthen our internal capabilities), ICT revolution and going nuclear along with the under pinning fabric of being the largest democracy in the world has now given us an opportunity to rightly take up or make our place in the world order.

Now that we have been presented with an opportunity, do we want to shy away from this, clearly NO, but how are we placed to make the most of this opportunity?

For some time I have been thinking, are we prepared to make the most of the opportunity or can I authoritatively say we can take up our place, though I have dreamt of this for a long time there are certain things which are still lingering, and until needs to be answered which in my view would be very critical in the coming years in achieving our ambition and rightful place in the world order. The parameters which are critical and needs to be answered are wealth generation, uniform wealth distribution, education and leadership.
Lets analyse factors that underpin these parameter and this might give us a better understanding on how and where does the future of India lies.

Economy: though country’s economy is growing at a steady pace of roughly 8% and this is again largely due to our finance ministers obsession with GDP. I can’t see any improvements in the standard of living improving among the length and breadth of the country: price rising impacting the common man, people dying of harsh environmental conditions, increasing urban-rural division, economic reforms at cross roads or rather at very slow pace, all these are not a very encouraging factor, but still we can placate ourselves with the FDI increasing and sections of society improving their standard of living if not the length and breadth of country.

Education: nearing 60yrs of independence we still have un-educated people, and literacy rate is roughly at 65%, which is not a very encouraging sign. Let’s not get confused literacy rate to access of quality education which is languishing at 34%. Along with this we have trouble at the domestic front on reservation, which can be convincingly argued that there needs reservation, but is the current reservation policy really addressing the need is another question which can be debated.

Employment: nearly 50% in India are still dependent on agricultural income, though in the last decade we have seen a raise in service industry being the largest job creator, still these jobs are being taken up by those 34% which have access to quality education. That means the larger part of India still depends on agriculture and other forms of employment which has proved not to sustaining.

Industry: there has been a windfall raise in ICT industry in India which has helped create job and pushed Indian economy to the brighter side of nearly 8%GDP. With this there is also automotive industry which is making its presence felt, but all this will not offer and create many jobs that could help wealth distribution, best these industries can sustain job creation and help in the standard of living of some sections of the society who have access to quality education, unlike Chinese economy which is driven by manufacturing which creates and employs more people than our economy which is largely driven by service industry.

Political leadership: this is an area which needs immediate attention, for long India was associated with aging leader with young and bright vision and dreams; this served us well for some time in establishing India as the largest democracy and made India stand on its on steam. Looking at the current political scenario where personal gains or caste/vote bank politics/communal politics being the norm of the day the situation in the country really alarms. We don’t mind ageing leadership but…what is glaringly missing is the vision and leadership to take India forward to achieve our place in the international order. Current India parliament has a hand few of people who have the right credentials and or at least vision to lead India to the future; this is the most worrying factor.

Just glancing at the above factors it makes me think and re-question myself asking “can we can make the most of the opportunity that is there to be taken”. There can’t be any miracles overnight to catapult India an its dreams to reality, but the only way forward is to address these issues and move forward, this again brings me back to my question India’s Future – to realise every Indian dream, though there is potential there needs to be a plan and implementation strategy to achieve the dreams.

Let’s not ask what the country has done for us, but rather ask us what we can do for the country – India’s future, answer lies with us.

Reservation - Overview & Possible Solution

The recent announcement of increase in 27% reservation to Other backward classes (OBCs) by the Government of India has raised the debate of "To be or not to be" the query that occurred to the mind of a character in William Shakespare's play.

Last few weeks have seen a lot of anti quota protests engulf the mind and spirit of Indian’s living in the country and those living outside. There have been certain violence which should have not taken place, call it police brutality overreaction or agitators going over board to go against the law and order; but to me it is typically a case of Newton’s third law “For every action there is a equal and opposite reaction”…this prompts us to think that there is something fundamentally wrong and this puts the blame on the government and its judgment. Saying thus, I agree there are merits and de-merits on both perceptions on the issue.

The case as of now:

Anti Quota Protests:
1. Roll back reservation
If given reservation there would be shortage of seats for those who are meritorious and there is no opportunity to showcase their talents even if they have the requisite skills; in short Right to Equality
2. Reservation would dilute Quality
If reservations are to be introduced as proposed then there would be below average students getting access to higher education and there they would fumble and even if pass would be with great difficulty.

Pro Quota Protests:
1. Need Reservation
As this would help to bridge the social balance, and as reservations would help have access to education in government institutes as private institutes are based on capitation and more so how is it fair if students who have access to education and facilities either by paying extra ( private tuitions) get better access or by the shear wealth in terms of capitations they get to have access, where as the socially backward have no such facilities firstly as most of them are from the rural or small towns where education infrastructure set up by government is in dire states.
2. Excellence can be showcased only if opportunity is give.
Reservation would not dilute quality, as if we wanted to compete with those students who have access to education and infrastructure from the day one then there needs to be the same access to infrastructure…as there is not through reservations seats can be availed in the prestigious institutes…But once there, like every one, one has to strive hard and get through else then there is no point is making so much of efforts to gain reservation, more so education is no one’s sole property.

Let us analyse both points of view:
The core to this issue is the growing market need for highly educated and qualified individuals, as this is the need of the hour and also a market need implies this would help an individual in terms of achievement and prosperity.

Are there merits and de-merits in both the cases? Again the opinion is individual. As for me there is an element of truth in both the cases.
I agree there would be shortage of seats if reservations are introduced, which in my opinion would really not help those either the pro quota or anti quota students.

As for anti quota students they would need to compete for smaller number of seats even if they have the caliber they might not get an opportunity to showcase the same.
Equality, Merit and Quality have been used by the Anti-Quota protestors, is there a real sense of Equality and quality?
Whenever there is a comparison this has to be with relative terms, how can it be Equality when one gets to have access to education from the day one and special coaching to boost the current knowledge level, these coaching has not come without a cost and this cost could be tuitions are getting buying access to education through capitation fees from private educators, the majority percentage of those who claim reservation don’t get access to such facilities for most they simply cant and for few even if they can there are no opportunities, saying this there are those minority percentage of students who claim reservation get access to education either by capitation or by private educators and such people are the grouse of the matter and normally these minority have created an impression based on which the anti-quota protestors have modelled their opinions against reservation for socially balance. So the point is Equality, Merit and Quality are relative and one can’t generalise them.

For pro quota students, how many would get to have benefits from this, as only those few who can have access to quality education and infrastructure amongst them would tend to make the most as the rest even on claiming quota and seat, would it be possible to compete in the same class and league as those of your classmates once you join these institutes, answer is very difficult as since there is no much of quality education access this implies and can be assumed there would be some short comings in the basic understanding or shortcomings in know-how, so this makes it difficult to compete.

Now the question is how many of this population percentage does OBCs constitute?

Around 36 per cent of the country's population is defined as belonging to the Other Backward Classes according to the National Sample Survey's 1999-2000 round, and not 52 per cent as defined by the Mandal Commission, a number that most politicians still use while asking for reservation.
If you exclude Muslim OBCs, the proportion falls to 32 per cent according to the NSS, 1999-2000. Indeed, Yogendra Yadav, professor at the Delhi-based Centre for the Study of Developing Studies, who is in favour of reservation for OBCs, agrees that there is no empirical basis to the Mandal figure: "It is a mythical construct based on reducing the number of SC/ST, Muslims and others and then arriving at a number."
One of the reasons for the much higher Mandal number is that it defined OBCs in socio-economic terms, and so included, for instance, "castes/classes considered as socially backward by others". If, to cite another of the 11 criteria used, the percentage of married women below 17 years is a fourth above the state's average in rural areas (and 10 per cent in urban areas), the community is considered to be OBC.
Similarly, if castes/classes where the proportion of working women is 25 per cent higher than the state's average, the castes/classes are considered OBC - today's double-income families, if living in areas where women do not work, would then be considered OBCs using the Mandal definition.
In the NSS case, respondents were asked to indicate their caste, and this was then tallied with the list of castes that each state defines as OBC.
The NSS data is also corroborated by the National Family Health Statistics, a survey conducted in 1998 by the DHS, which has conducted 200 such surveys in 75 countries.
The NFHS data show that the proportion of non-Muslim OBCs is 29.8 per cent, a figure quite close to the NSS' 32.1 per cent. For SC/ST, while the NSS shows this is 28.3 per cent of the population, the NFHS estimates this at 27.9 per cent. The 2001 Census estimated the SC/ST population at 24.4 per cent, though the Census did not canvass any information on OBCs.
The share of the Muslims (including OBC Muslims) in all three data sets is quite similar, ranging from 11 to 13 per cent.
So far, the Supreme Court ceiling of 50 per cent on all reservations has been justified by arguing this covers only the non-creamy layer OBCs, since 22.5 per cent of all reservations are for SC/ST, leaving 27.5 per cent for the OBCs - that is, only around half the OBCs would be entitled to reservations.
If, you use the NSS/NFHS figures, a 50 per cent reservation ceiling will cover three fourths of all OBCs, and if Muslim OBCs are to be kept out of reservations, then 86 per cent of the remaining will get covered by reservations.

Now after assessing the facts as published by the Govt. of India, the question is does the new proposal piggy riding on the back on the recent constitution amendment which talks about provision could be made to extend reservation so that social balance can be achieved (I would not argue on the issue of social balance, I assume there is a social imbalance and take it for granted there needs to be a balance such that everyone can be brought into the main streams of the Indian Society).

Now the question to answer is who needs to be given reservation and can this be a blanket reservation as proposed by Govt., answer is No, as reservation as a tool has contributed over the years to make an impact and bring certain sections of the community to mainstream and these have settled in the urban centres as compared to the earlier perception of OBCs/SC/STs being in the rural centres. If the government does not agree that there has been an increase in the number of people from the socially backward community to have over the years improved and joined the mainstream then, common sense says there is something wrong with Reservation as a tool, but all of u sin unison agree reservation over the years has contributed towards betterment of the socially backward classes.

Government Millennium development report has laid out few goals which are now been worked upon to achieve of which tow which has significance to the issue are:
(i) To achieve the Goal of eradicating extreme poverty and hunger, India must reduce by 2015 the proportion of people below poverty line from nearly 37.5 percent in 1990 to about 18.75 percent. As on 1999-2000, the poverty headcount ratio is 26.1 percent with poverty gap ratio of 5.2 percent, share of poorest quintile in national consumption is 10.1 percent for rural sector and 7.9 percent for urban sector and prevalence of underweight children is of the order of 47 percent.
(ii) To achieve universal primary education under Goal-2, India should increase the primary school enrolment rate to 100 percent and wipe out the drop-outs by 2015 against 41.96 percent in 1991-92. The drop-out rate for primary education during 2002-03 is 34.89 percent. The gross enrolment ratio in primary education has tended to remain near 100 percent for boys and recorded an increase of nearly 20 percentage points in the ten years period from 1992-93 to 2002-03 for girls (93 percent). The literacy rate (7 years and above) has also increased from 52.2 percent in 1992-93 to 65.4 percent in 2000-01.

From the above information one can infer that the issue of problem or concern is rural sector, rather than the urban sector. Urban sector to its added advantage has the highest quality of education available and infrastructure in place which would help students cutting across religion/castes have access to education infrastructure, on the contrary the real needy ones are those languishing in the rural sector where in which casteism is at its pinnacle and here is where social balance needs to be achieved in one hand and also in other hand there needs to be a target to eradicate poverty (sections which fall under poverty lines are from all catse/creeds/religion). With the sort of information which is now available to analyse we can see that the area of concern and reservation as a tool is needed for those in the rural sectors as compared to the proposed blanket reservation.

Thinking of solution, is the proposed raise in 27%reservation, thus taking the total reservation to 49% a solution, answer is NO.
Government needs to understand and answer these question to define a solution to the problem which is dividing India more than what the Indian Right Wing has done over the years.
1. When those students who have no access to education and infrastructure and cant even buy themselves extra education for them, would reservation make much sense, as even though they get a seat, how effective can they be….this is very much questionable?
2. Are you not curtailing the caliber and potential of the meritorious (we can take it for say they are genuine) to showcase their talents.

Proposed Solution:
1. Roll back of the proposed reservation policy and bring in a status quo and try to answer on how to fill the gaps and in-equalities that are identified through the above mentioned statistics and information presented, in summary the need of the hour is to bridge a gap between urban-rural divide interms of addressing the socio-economic imbalance.
2. Look at how the benefits of reservation can reach the real needy; especially those in the rural sector who don’t even get to have decent education, cutting across caste lines. Reservation over years has helped those few who have made use of it or the so called creamy layer in the urban sector as opposed to the rural sector.
3. It is high time, Govt. education needs to be reformed and revived in the rural and urban India so there can be a fair playing ground is set in the coming 10-15yrs…

How to go about doing this:
1. Maximise education infrastructure and create an environment to where there is a fair playing ground. This is possible by strengthening the education sector till12th standard such that everyone gets equal opportunity and equal quality of education. This can be brought about by government strengthening the sector and make education at the affordable price for everyone if not even free by increasing the government infrastructure or through planned public-private sector participation (care to be taken not to over do and play in the hands of the capitation mafia). In all the developed countries, most of the students come from public schools which are government controlled where the best of the education facility and infrastructure is available. In short there needs to be more funds allocated to create quality education access facilities. Based on the progress achieved in this phase we can easily phase out reservation as a tool, as there would be creation of fair playing ground. This does take a heavy toll on the budgetary allocation, but this needs to be done to achieve the desired results of trying to get the poverty line reduced and bring social balance. Until this takes place the present system can continue with a small amendments, those who have access to quality education from the urban centers should not be entitled to claim the benefits of reservation, as this would amount to misuse of the spirit in which reservation as a tool was proposed by the founding father of Indian constitution.
2. Financial Assistance in terms of scholarships as against fees, living expenses, books and bank loans with low interest rates where in repayment would start only after taking up their employment. This to be made available to those economically backward in both urban and rural centers along with the socially backward from the rural centers. Use effective public-private participation to fill in the needed overload on the government expenditure. Taxation schemes can be made use to the most effective way here by making tax-rebates for those who contribute towards such schemes of financial assistance towards a cause of upliftment of the society.
3. The time line for such a new system to be effectively to take shape would nearly take around 10yrs and until then, inevitably, the current reservation policy though flawed can continue, as without a viable option being created one cant suggest a change.
4. The other option to look to bring about a short term relief until the above is achieved is to maximize the number of seats currently available in the undergraduate and post graduate structure, this would invariably bring about expenditure to the exchequer, but here again this investment that the government brings in a longer term investment and can be en cashed at the later stage. Thus ensuring talented and meritorious are not made a scape goat in this issue of achieving social balance.

Discrepancies: Reservation Proposal

Discrepancies: Reservation Proposal

Last couple of weeks have seen a lot of anti quota protests engulf all over India, and there have been certain violence which should have not taken place, call it police brutality overreaction or agitators going over board to go against the law and order rules….but i assume for every action there is a equal and opposite reaction…so there should be something wrong and the judgement is very individual in nature.

Last week also saw pro quota protests in Delhi, Bihar and other places again there was violence and some of he journalists were injured, ask why…..the answer was the protectors of conscience and the real watch dog of democracy were biased in their media coverage….how often we have seen media trying to make or create opinions and judgements…are they acting in true spirits of journalism or are they trying to pursue what they believe in the name of journalism, this can be debatable at length.

Let’s analyse by stating the cases: in terms of their demands
Anti Quota Protests:
1. Roll back reservation
If given reservation there would be shortage of seats for those who are meritorious and there is no opportunity to showcase their talents even if they have the requisite skills; in short Right to Equality
2. Reservation would dilute Quality
If reservations are to be introduced as proposed then there would be below average students getting access to higher education and there they would fumble and even if pass would be with great difficulty.
Pro Quota Protests:
1. Need Reservation
As this would help to bridge the social balance, and as reservations would help have access to education in government institutes as private institutes are based on capitation and more so how is it fair if students who have access to education and facilities either by paying extra ( private tuitions) get better access or by the shear wealth in terms of capitations they get to have access, where as the socially backward have no such facilities firstly as most of them are from the rural or small towns where education infrastructure set up by government is in dire states.
2. Excellence can be showcased only if opportunity is give.
Reservation would not dilute quality, as if we wanted to compete with those students who have access to education and infrastructure from the day one then there needs to be the same access to infrastructure…as there is not through reservations seats can be availed in the prestigious institutes…But once there, like every one, one has to strive hard and get through else then there is no point is making so much of efforts to gain reservation, more so education is no one’s sole property.

Are there merits and de-merits in both the cases? Again the opinion is individual. As for me there is an element of truth in both the cases.
 I agree there would be shortage of seats if reservations are introduced, which in my opinion would really not help those either the pro quota or anti quota students.
As for anti quota students they would need to compete for smaller number of seats even if they have the calibre they might not get an opportunity to showcase the same. For pro quota students, how many would get to have benefits from this, as only those few who can have access to quality education and infrastructure amongst you would tend to make the most as the rest even if you claim the quota and seat, would it be possible to compete in the same class and league as those of your classmates once you join these institutes, answer is very difficult as since there is no much of quality education you have access this implies and can be assumed there would be some short comings in the basic understanding or shortcomings in know-how, so this makes it difficult to compete and will be playing in the hands of the so called professors who have made up their mind from pre-historic age that only those with merit can cope and other can cope, rightly or wrongly this is a fact.
 Equality, Merit and Quality have been used by the Anti-Quota protestors, is there a real sense of Equality and quality?
Whenever there is a comparison this has to be with relative terms, how can it be Equality when one gets to have access to education from the day one and special coaching to boost the current knowledge level, these coaching has not come without a cost and this cost could be tuitions are getting buying access to education through capitation fees from private educators, the majority percentage of those who claim reservation don’t get access to such facilities for most they simply cant and for few even if they can there are no opportunities, saying this there are those minority percentage of students who claim reservation get access to education either by capitation or by private educators and such people are the grouse of the matter and normally these minority have created an impression based on which the anti-quota protestors have modelled their opinions against reservation for socially balance. So the point is Equality, Merit and Quality are relative and one can’t generalise them.

Thinking of solution, is the proposed raise in 27%reservation, thus taking the total reservation to 49% a solution, answer is NO.
Government needs to understand and answer these question to define a solution to the problem which is dividing India more than what the Indian Right Wing has done over the years.
1. When those students who have no access to education and infrastructure and cant even buy themselves extra education for them, would reservation make much sense, as even though they get a seat, how effective can they be….this is very much questionable?
2. Are you not curtailing the calibre and potential of the meritorious (we can take it for say they are genuine) to showcase their talents

Starters to think for a possible solution:
1. Get the reservations back to status quo.
2. Look at how the benefits of reservation can reach the real needy; especially those in the rural sector who don’t even get to have decent education, cutting across caste lines.
3. Reservation over years has helped those few who have made use of it or the so called creamy layer in the urban sector as opposed to the rural sector.
4. Map those who are worthy and needy of reservation i.e rural students who are socially-economically backward and then define reservation. Do this on the basis of 2001 census as opposed to the 1931 census based on which Mandal Commission was modelled.
5. It is high time, Govt. education needs to be reformed and revived in the rural and urban India so there can be a fair playing ground is set in the coming 10-15yrs…
As there are so many discrepancies in the proposal, put on your thinking caps and define a solution and help save the future of India and its talent potential.

Reservation Rhetoric: Does this help anyone?

A flawed proposal and a flawed opposition
Arjun Singh has done it again, this time he has opened up a can of worms which has far reaching ramifications than that of the political corridors in Delhi, is this an indication that he is eyeing higher offices now that he knows he can never get any higher than his HRD ministry in the electoral politics; is this a first step towards taking a pot shot at the highest constitutional position of India; well only time shall answer.

Arjun Singh’s proposal to revise the existing reservation or quota system and a proposed increase in 27% reservation for ST/SC/OBC students in central educational institutions has triggered a storm of protests both pro and against it. This as actually reignited the merit-vs-caste debate in the education sector, reviving the furore Mandal Commission (Mandal commission worked on wrong understandings and adopted 1931 census rather than adopting the new 1991 census) raised in 1991.
Though there seems to be a unity in the political spectrum on the new proposal there are some uneasiness as expressed subtly by Kapil Sibal, the Science and Technology Minster. Opinions are clearly divided between those who feel that the reservations are nothing but a political gimmick, unfair on the creamy middle class of India and those who say the move will genuinely help uplift the status of the backward classes.

Does Reservation / Quota system help anyone: YES and NO.
Ø Fundamentally reservation as envisaged by our founding fathers of constitution in letter and spirit would help to bring about a change and fair playing field for those socially backward communities (read as caste, but I don’t like the usage of the word), but for this to happen we need to have the right sort of implementation and monitoring structure else we would not have been talking about reservation and quota even after 59yrs of Indian independence, though which was originally envisaged to create a free, fair and equal opportunities for every Indian.In the last 59yrs there have been incidences and situations which have hindered to bring about such a social balance, so it is high time we set things into perspective as India aspires to be the world leader in the coming years. In short the answer is a Big Yes for reservations/quota system.
Ø Arjun Singh’s proposed new rule would mean nearly 50% of seats being set aside for the socially backward communities and the rest filled by the meritorious students. It is important to reflect upon who are these socially backward communities and what is their progression over years, as reservation have been doled out for the last 59yrs and how much has this changed the social backwardness. We can still find there are many social ills that needs to be targeted and eradicated, there needs to be an answer why the reservation introduced for all these years has not made any changes into the lives of these socially backward communities who still languish in rural India, is the new proposed reservation going to help those who really need, I am afraid No, this is the reason why there is so much opposition to the proposed reservations.

But more fundamentally, it is time to think why in spite of 59yrs of reservations/quota systems we are still falling short by miles to bridge this social differences and gap in Indian society? Reservations have been doled out over years but on ground there are very few who have made use of reservations and gone onto be role models and flag bearers for their communities. Is this not the time to reflect and think why is their a disparity even after reservations have been doled out for many years? In these contexts it is worth to examine what difference could Arjun Singh’s new proposal make to bridge this gap, the answer is nothing this is just a political gimmick to progress ones of career rather than giving a new direction and making a concrete attempt to bridge this social divide.

No amount of arguments can refute the fact that the socially backward communities have faced decades of exclusion and the only way to help them catch up is to provide them economic and educational opportunities. The question, though, is whether blanket reservation in higher institutions of learning are the answer, No as this has been proved over and over again in the last 59yrs.

So is this not time to get back to basics and define the Indian spectrum and map out the ground reality on the socio-economic-cultural backwardness and try to come up with solutions that would provide equal opportunity to quality education from the fundamental level and for this to happen there needs to be a revamp in the educational infrastructure at the elementary level rather than using a top down approach.

It is very heartening to know 48 of the IAS students passed this year though have access to reservation tags have competed with the so called meritorious students and emerged from the shadows and become role models, why this is because they could get access to quality education (their parents were the first generation beneficiaries of reservation in jobs and education). These are the real role models of our society, congratulations on your achievements.

On the contrary those opposing reservation our meritorious students have adopted a flawed rather a negative approach towards opposition, by not targeting the negatives of the proposal and targeting the concept of blanket reservation.

Thus let us give more thoughts to right to access quality education to one and all (rural-urban, social-economic-culturally backward communities) and if this demands a new set of reservations let us embrace to develop a new a bright India and thus how to bridge the socio-economic-cultural backwardness rather than giving blanket reservations.

Hope and Dreams are two underlying factors for the development of youth and though them the future of India, its time we see optimism rather than sycophancy and Vision rather than political gimmick from our political establishment.

Note: The views expressed here is author's personal view and if not intended to hurnt an individual or group of individuals.

Master Stroke

India, world’s largest democracy, when looked closely one can find it chaotic in a orderly fashion but yet representative.

The last week, Indians have seen yet another of those political stunts or dramas. One cannot understand how both the ruling party and opposition is getting away by completely turning a blind eye on important and pressing matters of governance, but plotting and counter plotting the other to score cheap political brownie points.

Last week saw Sonia Gandhi making yet another sacrifice, I think its become common to the Congress party and to Sonia Gandhi has she has to live up to her illustrious family member. Was it a sacrifice, well I would say it was a political master stroke which has taken the steam of the opposition parties and keeping any eye on the impending elections, might favour Congress and its allies.
Some years back the very same BJP and its allies talked about Sonia’s immaturity in politics, but two years later and into her second sacrifice, I think there is a serious question to be raised against the opposition deftly headed by L.K. Advani.

Whatever one may call sacrifice, political master stroke or inevitability, but one thing is for sure, there is a mystery that surrounds Sonia Gandhi, and she is trying to bring new morals to public life, which is a noble thing, and like every other politician she is using to build up the profile of her party, but she has to beware that not to over do this.
By being obsessed on Sonia Gandhi, what has BJP, JD(U) and Samajawadi party gained, answer is absolutely nothing, each time she has been attacked she has grown in stature and thus playing to her hands and helping create an aura and hype around her for her to en-cash.

Countries around the world have opposition parties which act and counteract against the wrong doings of the ruling government and try to bring a sense of sanity to the way a government is functioned. But our opposition seems to have excelled in pre-empting the government moves, all this smartness has not exactly helped the people in general and BJP in particular, but on the contrary this has had negative effect on the public, as they feel BJP being a weak opposition, which is not going to help BJP in the future if it not corrects its strategy.
If they were concerned so much about the constitution and the public, why is there very few and countable private members bill being introduced, which would become laws by themselves (American and the UK model). Can any one answer this?
Well my prediction is there is a clear lack in the political vision in the current set of politicians on both side, more so on the BJP.

PS: Hats off to you Madam Gandhi, you have started a new trend in public life, but just be cautious of the sycophants you are surrounded with, as there is a genuinely lack of mass leaders in Congress and it would be all onto yourself to take the burden of getting votes to your party, thus take cautions when making any political move.

History in Making

1st week of March 2006, will be remembered for a long time to come by Indian public and the world; reason being there was history in making by world's largest and oldest democracies.

Manmohan Singh seems to be the lucky mascot for India, if 1991 gave him an opportunity to globalise Indian economy, 2006 is his moment and because of his adminstration a new chapter in Indian histroy is being written; thus globalising Indian strategy and positioning India, in the new world order.

India, as on today theoritically broken the shakles of nuclear isolation, i re-emphaise theoritically as the Indo-US nuclea deal, still has to get US Congress approval, as the adge goes the Devil lies in small print, as and when there is clearance from the US Congress, team Manmohan Singh and rest of India can celebrate in bright sunshine.

Kudos to Mr.Prime Minister and his team, and if the recent news articles are correct in quoting "Bush having a small pep talk with M.K.Naryanan, saying he wants the deal", this shows the new found camaraderie between the two nations.

I take this opportunity to thank team Manmohan Singh, and more importantly group of retired scientists from the Atomic Energy Commission in India who started a lengthy debate via print media and to Anil Kakodkar who always had a veto on the Nuclear Deal between the two countries. It is Anil Kakodkar and the gamut of nuclear physists and scientists working on our Nuclear programme, who have shaped and and startegised of India having nuclear cabililities and the wise political establsihment, sometimes highly volatile, but have magaed to curb themselves to help India not to loose this historic opportunity.

When history was in the making, on the sidelines there was another history being created, which puts our head down in shame.
"Athithi Devo Bahavaha": According to our culture and we Indians believe in treating our guests on par with the almight God whom we have faith in. But the type of demonstrations that have taken place against George Bush, has never happened in the cultural history of India. In democratic India everyone has their right of opinion and freedom of speech, but the demonstrations and the kind of speeches made by our political fraternity have defamed our clultural heritage and highlighted the double standard we practice. History has taken note of it and more importantly the world has token note of this. Is this not against our cultural heritage and our high grounds of morality; the so called secularists Left Parties, Samajawadi party, JD(S), V.P.Singh and the Islamic groups owe an explation to the people and more so they should clarify if they truly believe in Indian ethos and culture.

Well, though our clutural brancuptcy and double standards in our ethos was well demonstrated, we can end in a happy note that an historic opportunity has opened up and it is to the Indian establishment on how it will make maximum use of it to create India, for the comming century.