Reservations

Here is an isue that has polarised the country, brought forth the divisions that run deep in the system and all that. It's been seen as an Us vs Them and Merit vs the rest and so on... and rightly so perhaps. If I've worked hard for it and someone else gets that seat owing to a caste certificate, I feel wronged and justifiably!!!

As everyone agrees, it's about time we did something to fix primary education and paved the way for people to be able to compete on an equal footing. A quick-fix solution in the form of reservations in higher education is playing to the gallery and is self-serving for the politicians.... so what do we propose as an alternative... a reform in the system, rite? What about the intergenerational gaps in growth, development? It is in this light that the following article was one of the saner ones I read, a point of view that recognizes the disadvantages suffered by many and many of them quite valid.

http://www.hindu.com/2006/05/23/stories/2006052305841100.htm

The above was not perfect- no system is. It fails to talk about time frame for reservation- that is the only acceptable way, if at all.
The above analysis sounds fine in its basis though and places sufficient(?) emphasis on academic merit to ensure that people who come through the system aren't terrible and can cope. And I'm not stating that reservation is the best way forward. But I'm wondering what is, a system that will be inclusive and dynamic at the same time. A time bound system while our primary education sytem grows to cope.... hmmm

PS: I hope the views aren't considered biased as I will not be affected by this system any longer.