by Anil » Sat Jul 26, 2003 4:37 am
Andhraite and Arch, Let me tell you something. One of the prime reason, I am here in USA is because of the corruption, nepotism and reservation system, in that order. I had three gold medals (including a Gold Medal from Satya Sai Institute, having been adjudged as an outstanding student in the state of AP in the faculties of Medicine, Dental, Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences) and a consistent top academic record. None of that could fetch a job suitable to my caliber. This might all sound so hackneyed (I always thought the films exaggerate) but there isn’t an iota of falsehood in what I state here. I went to an interview at TIFR (Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Indian Institute of Science - Bangalore), I went up to the final stage. I wasn\'t selected, reason cited was the person should know the local language, i.e. Kannada. OK, fair enough, I thought. But, I came to know the next day, that the selected candidate was a Tamilian. There was a strong Tamil lobby and rest is history. Same with our very own CDFD/CCMB. The positions are “filled up” even before they are advertised. The interviews that are conducted are just a colossal waste of time and money. They don’t do any good to one’s confidence. Then there was another interview, this time at my own University for an Asst Professor position. Again, of all the candidates, I had the highest % of marks, publications and also cleared the National Eligibility Test. There were 9 positions in all. I was confident that even if 50% are given to reserved categories, I will still be comfortable because at least four more would be left for grabs. After all, the University will try to give one to talent, at least to save their skin. But, No, that was not to be. This time, they brought in this regional reservation (All of you are overlooking this reservation policy where in the locals are preferred). And additionally, there was a kamma lobby which did the rest of the damage. So, that was the last straw. In a way, I was rather forced to leave the country. Packed my bags, left for England and a year later landed in USA. After 2 years, I must admit, I am very contented academically & intellectually and was never this happier. You can call it escapism, but I thought that was just being practical. After all, you go or prefer going to places where you and your skills are recognized and appropriately appreciated. I strongly believe in the oft-repeated cliché, Brain-drain is Better than Brain in the Drain!
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<br>Anyway, the point is, in spite of all this, I never had any animosity towards the reserved categories nor do I judge them saying they are less talented, etc. etc. Of course, most of you are proclaiming that you hold no animosity towards these sections. But your postings are all suggestive to the contrary. Yes, caste-based reservation policy is doing the damage. I don’t disagree with it. But when compared to the corruption and nepotism, which I call as COVERT RESERVATION, it is negligible. These two parasites are those which are the biggest stumbling blocks in our pursuit to excellence. And, I personally feel, whether I or any one is directly involved in committing an atrocity against a weaker section or not, we as a community and a collective group are responsible and reservations are nothing but a small token to assuage the agony of these hurt sections. We are social animals and are always judged collectively. In other words, in any social atrocities, we are held responsible collectively whether as an individual you have perpetrated a discriminatory act or not. Now, whether these are reservations are implemented properly or not, that’s totally different story. And, we as a nation are not yet ready to scrap the reservation system totally.
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<br>BTW Rajesh, please read my posting again carefully. I don’t know what on earth gave you the impression that I was reiterating what you said!!!!