Thursday, April 20, 2006

Angel face

My hands are numb and so is my heart
Eyes long for tears there never are
As you lie like a fading star
Can't I take your grief and ache
Return you to your blissful state

I regret to think of your wrong
Was it because you played too long
On a road meant for a bomb
That tore through your tender form
But aren't you very strong?

I wonder what was on your mind
As you whirled and fell on the side
Was it terror or fear or pain
I know God is more than kind
Will let my sunshine last in time

Lose not hope nor lose faith
For you have your part to play
Though you war might far away take
Peace needs you for peace's sake
So come back my angel face

Saturday, April 08, 2006

Reservation

What better way to demoralize tens of thousands of teenagers who are about to set foot in the real world? Reservations, reservations and more reservations. Not towards “Education for students” but towards “Power for Politicians”. There are several better and tested ways to educate youngsters.First, implement mandatory education at primary level. There is no reason why two students who go to school and work hard should be treated differently at undergraduate/ graduate/ employment stages.Second, the government can consider a subsidized education scheme for the first child. Perhaps this will also tackle population issue at a very small level.Finally, it is critical to assert the overarching importance of education itself, without which the first two avenues above will not yield much result.Unfortunately, the politicians will encourage none of the above. Simply because, education translates into better awareness, and well informed people. This would mean all their rundown acts and un-kept promises coming under intense scrutiny, eventually resulting in the loss of power. That reminds me of John Steinbeck’s famous quote –
“Power does not corrupt. Fear corrupts... perhaps the fear of a loss of power”
All the processes outlined above are tedious and long drawn, and require much more effort and time than just implementing a reservation scheme. But the politicians cannot even afford they begin. At the end of all this, we have no right to lament about brain-drain. Students go where there is reward and recognition for their merit and hard work, and rightfully so. The British followed “Divide and Rule” and the Indian politicians are working overtime to keep the tradition alive.