Existential imperatives of Indian society and the Mandal vandals
"Primary imperatives", being the most basic of principles which define the stretch of the civic soul of a collective; and in this instance; the society.
If I am faced with a dilemma of which Doctor I shall put my life in the hands of, or for that matter, even consult in the case of a common flu, I would rather not go at all than be faced with the possibility of subjecting myself to mediocrity in the form of a doctor who was made based on his lineage rather than sheer merit.
We are going back to the ages of witch doctors, though not in the same sense, but on a parallel plane of driving thought. A witch doctor was born from a societal fear from the unknown, and in this instance t hey will be born because of self interests and vote banks of sleazy politicians.
One must deliberate over why democracy is what it is as a philosophy when a country chooses to adopt it. Democracy states that it shall be the choice of the masses and when the alleged representatives of the people are driven not by the wishes of the people who chose them but by their own future (am not an advocate for altruism and self-sacrifice but for responsibility to the primary imperative of your existence); this is nothing if not the death of democracy.
A noble profession they say; centres of excellence they are called; ………some great visionaries conceptualised these thoughts, others geniuses gave form to these and yet others, students and faculty have brought these to what they are, true temples to the human intellect and sheer competence. These are the organisations which have given birth to and continue to spawn the next generation of Indians who will, in essence be forbearers of the flame of all things that greatness is made of, intelligence, capability and sheer merit!
And why does one have to be faced with a unique predicament where he would forced to contemplate a future away from his home country only because he does not want his kids to grow up in an environment which is highly inclined to spawn and encourage mediocrity. There is an interesting line that I ran across about what one mother said to her obviously brilliant child….."Everybody is special", she said, "That's another way of saying that nobody is!" ….countered the child.
As on today, we have students who are going on hunger strikes, morchas and what-nots, to get their case across when they ought to be studying to make their and the country's future brighter…….
As on today, we have ministers whose very diction reflects their lack of education and they are in a position to make categorical comments like "merit is no problem with OBCs and STs"………if that were the case, why is it that they need reservations to begin with.....one wonders!!
And then you have icons of capitalism like the industrial monarchs, who, whatever their reasons, provide stimulus and are catalysts to greatness, competence and as I've said before this………..sheer merit.
And why cant these purported champions of the oppressed foresee the immediate repercussions of their actions…and is it too hard to foresee a society where one will chose not to interact with these alleged OBCs/STs only because they are OBCs/STs without actual regard to genuine merit, for when I am faced with the necessity to go to Doctor, why would I want to take the risk of finding out the hard way whether or not the "purported" professional was genuinely qualified to be where he is………..and that too, the hard way!!!
And why is it so hard to envision a society where a very clear line will be drawn between those who are and are not, irrespective of the obvious "have and have not" and the "are nots" will essentially be these OBCs/STs irrespective of genuine merit where it lies. In this way these alleged leaders are not doing anyone a favour, neither those who are supposedly getting "helped" today or those of these alleged "classes" who do not "need" help because they are basically brilliant, or the rest of the supposed society which is caught in the cross fire, in the form of other genuine talents which lost out and the hoi polloi which will be victimised by the mediocrity that such bills will spawn.
And why can't one see the fact that a better reform would be simply to provide better opportunities at the preliminary level by providing free basic education thereby creating a fair playing field when one gets to the stage of choosing their professional vocation. Our governments are already addressing this and what country can know better, the fact that nothing can keep a good mint down? The constitution of this country was written by a great mind which was of this alleged "backward" class.
And why is it so hard to contemplate a society which is divided on the lines of able and the not-so irrespective of caste, creed, background, race, sex and only intelligence and competence……………………………
Here's one for intelligence, greatness and as I've repeatedly reiterated, sheer merit!