Leave the kids alone ….

So the quota is to be implemented. The arithmetic is getting its chance in Indian politics. I am writing this from the perspective of the striking students. It’s admirable the camaraderie and passion exhibited by the students for a just society. I also strongly condemn brutal police action against the protesting students. Such small movements are important part of student’s life, a learning which no text can teach. This has nothing to do with high moral grounds the Media is taking. We know what they are all about. More than rural urban divide or caste divide I reckon this is generational divide.

The so called elders have failed us whether in media or politics, or whatever, they have been disappointing. We have a very selfish and incompetent elder generation -who just happen to be born few decades earlier and basking on platform provided by primitive society. They just want to fill their pocket and yes that stomach (Ofcourse they do have younger faces in media and politics but we know who is pulling the strings). Then there are some “traditionally concerned” who moonwalk as secularists and gandhians into big time charity show. Only criteria is that the applecart shouldn’t be disturbed. Push them a bit and you know what is under that sophistication veneer. Social concern is such a great fun with high ROI. One need to study why most 'SC' have such dislike for gandhians and refused to be referred to as harijans (children of god -depraved attempt that one).

How am I, as a protesting student, responsible for the inactions in providing affirmative actions other than Reservations? Like, for instance, not giving importance to quality of primary education in rural India or community schools in urban India. How am I responsible as a kid trying to get into better colleges for career if these people (elder generation -depraved bunch marinated in deviant society) are not able to create an effective selection process? What do I do if rich people get into medical colleges wherein I can't get in? Is it my fault? Why should I suffer if they believe in degraded systems like caste and try to pass on to me wherein I find it disgusting? Whether through matrimonial columns or election analysis or through reservations, just to take oft repeated examples. Let’s be very clear these guys in the media are no different and the sham of free media limited in most cases to making easy money is not gone unnoticed. The media is just playing to its client as are the politicians. They should not be given any extra rights under the guise of democracy and must face the law as ordinary citizens. The same is case for the marketers -trying to ensnare people under the garb of liberal values and choices. My target group, my vote bank, my money, my car! In fabricated society people are insecure and so cling to mymy. In this mymy world what I can use, gain…is the defining factor of behavior. So people, nature, earth-environment, become secondary.

We live in a closed system wherein each actions do influence the entire fragility. So utmost care is needed in decisions that influence many, has significant impact. The other day I was watching Satyajit Ray movie Seemabadha (I picked this up from kolkata few months back….i do have a good collection now, but I am biased to animation film. It’s awesome…..bugz, antz, dinosaurs, fishes…) there is an interesting character (Ramalingam) who quotes Joseph Conrad “all ambitions are lawful except those which climb upward on the miseries and tribulations of mankind”.

If I put myself in the shoes of protesting students I do feel victimized for no fault of mine. The same, one will if one put oneself in the place of rural underprivileged kid. Being insecure that is, reduced chance of gainful employment or livelihood, at young age can really be devastating that too in a society that is essentially materialistic despite other wooly claims. It does put lots of negative pressure too early, leaving some permanent scars and can easily turn a person pessimist. And if things slip further can be destructive to society, just a recipe needed for people who recruit them for their own gain like fundamentalist group or underworld or marketeers for dehumanizing jobs. It is quite a sensitive period in life wherein things can seriously go wrong. Add to this Reservation and a reduced chance of better employment this really is frustrating. Similarly, the frustration from essentially biased system of entry (where merit is more of a lifestyle…things that need be confined to some finishing school or wonders of ‘beauty contest’ or grammar) can be demotivating.

We are dividing young people and forcing them on each other wherein they face the same predicament and aspiration. It is the incompetence of the older generation - essentially an appalling statement on these wastrels who are cannibalizing on young, that we are in this impasse. They are too insecure a people and passing it onto the next generation. Some 6-7 years back I recollect attending a talk by MN Srinivas at IIC Delhi wherein he did delve upon the issue of Reservation in Corporate sector briefly, speaking against. During those days I was mostly a passive listener just absorbing things and nodding-like some intellectuals! But I had decided to listen to top guys in their field and delhi was the right place, undeservingly so. It was after the talk that I was startled out of my stupor when three youngsters rush to Mr. Srinivas and spat some abuse words. I was so stunned that I do recollect trying to look into the issue of Reservation after that in JNU library (excellent library that one).

On the issue of 'OBC' quota it need be noted that they may not be as needy as 'SC' or in particular 'ST'. Infact the “historical atrocities” committed on 'SC' and lower castes can also be traced to 'OBCs' ((one need to read some sociology-MN Srinivas or Yoginder Singh (he is brilliant) or Desai for this….albeit I have a strict dislike for sociologists)). In recent times the examples of TN state is a pointer to how 'SC' atrocities are also done by 'OBCs' and that 'OBCs' may not be always be deserving for reservation. Bottom line is 'OBCs' are herded as big vote bank. There is also a race going on to be included as 'OBCs' by many “upper caste”. It really does get murkier, a hallmark of cannibalistic society which is perpetuated by few at the expense of common people. Thanks elders thanks for the legacy. And thanks for spreading it through matrimonial columns. We are so grateful to you. If only these elderly morons spent their life on something productive, life would been comfortable for younger generation. It is they who teach about caste and religion to us and encourage retrograde mindset, fuel divisive forces in society. It is they who promote crass materialism at the expense of sustainability. It is they who corrupt us…..telling us what is “practical”. A boy once stole a pencil from school. His father chastise him “you fool why you have to steal pencil from school I could have brought it from office!”. They are old enough to realize their mistakes but are more concerned in gaining vote bank or TRP ratings or copy circulation, everything adding on to counting profit. A manageable identity to divide society and entitled role is what these people crave to hide their depravities. This makes things easily classifiable. Thus helps in number game. This is the tragic times we live in and poor kids whether in cities or rural areas have to face this unfortunate backlashes. I empathize with them. 

Post Script: Talking of oppression and atrocities I cannot stop wondering why there are no considerations for women candidates, like 'SCs', 'STs', particularly from rural India?. There is also a need to reserve the seats within 'SC', 'ST' to female candidates. Let’s not assume oppressed class to be gender sensitive. This may not occur to anyone in an overwhelmingly patriarchal primitive society that despite girls doing exceedingly well in school and college exams, their number is not commiserating to this reality in professional colleges or higher management- decision making areas. So why no reservations for girls in professional colleges?

When I mentioned about “translating to local language”…local languages here are major languages spoken by millions, more than many of these international languages. Languages that have strong socio-cultural foundations…..Hindi (spoken by 490 million people), Bengali(215m), Punjabi(103m), Tamil(78m), Telugu(74m), Marathi(71m), Gujarati(47m), Kannada(44m) ….to name few languages spoken exclusively in India, some in Indian sub continent. Compare this with “international languages” like French (130m). Even English is in minority and in India spoken by a very miniscule percentage of people. Competence incidentally is also about relating to people and their surrounding. The language, tradition and culture seem to be dictated and dependent “on political power in the world” ( taking words from VS Naipaul's recent interview http://www.literaryreview.co.uk/naipaul_04_06.html). Things are changing in the globalized world.