It is 59 years of an independent India. Over the years we have witnessed development and change in many sectors and various fields. But the fruits of development reaching the masses are a big question mark. Education which is a basic right of every individual has become a commodity today. Many foreign universities are setting up their branches here making education unaffordable for the large masses. It is just a few of them who can afford this type of education.
On the other hand, the Reservation debate in the country disturbs me a lot. For thousands of years, the lower castes were denied even access to water; education was a far dream to realize. Today, the picture has changed. Education is freely accessible and is a basic fundamental right. Reservation for these sections of the population is only a means of upliftment. There are huge numbers of students involved in the anti-reservation debate. I pity their thinking capacities. Denial of equal opportunity to education is a crime and a clear violation of one of the basic human rights.
Merit is one the areas being spoken about widely these days. Is it just securing 90 percent in the exam a merit?. A student from an affluent family with all comforts may secure this 90 percent. At the same time, a poor rural student from one of the backward classes may secure a first class after all struggle to reach school and study. How do we justify the question of merit? Sincere care and concern for the discriminated masses will leave us with only question. That is the way and means of bringing them up and not questioning the programmes for their progress.
The role of student unions and activists must be to fight and continue to struggle for education to reach the marginalized sections. Marginalized- may be both economic and social. Each of us can contribute in our own way. Our mindset needs a change. We need to be more human in our thinking and approach. It must be remembered that education is not a commodity for sale and purchase. It is an instrument for economic development and an important component of human resources in the world. Discrimination of people on the basis of caste may not be visible in the cities but it is a reality in the remote parts of the country till today. Cases are still being reported.
Education is a means of realizing the dream of a new India. This dream will fail on a large scale if we deprive a few sections of equal opportunity. A true democracy is one of that with complete participation. This will enhance the process of development and pave way for India to reach its goal of being a society free from discrimination and denial of basic human rights.
LYDIA ANTHONY,
College Cell, Hyderabad.