Intentions Should be Judged

Politics of the country runs the government and the country. In the 60 years of our independence, the Indian National Congress has ruled for the major period, including at present, and is therefore considered the biggest political party of the country. The Nehru-Gandhi family, as we know, is the dynasty which has the main say in the affairs of the INC. Thus, we can say that the family has a big say in the ruling of the country as well. The dominance of one single party in politics is criticised by many on terms of dynastic ruling, breach of democracy, autocracy, etc. This may be true to some extent, but to counter this, we can say that the members of the family are accepted by the majority of the masses itself. In management and sociology we have learnt that people believe in the role of inherited qualities in humans. Maybe, this is the main reason people are influenced towards this family. They see the members of the family being the inheritors of the proven family dedication, values, works and sacrifices for the country. Talking of the present, Rahul Gandhi has emerged as the leader of the generation and has generated lots of hopes among many people. Rahul Gandhi scores most of his ground on this aspect of the belief of the people in inherited qualities. But we must remember that nobody can inherit and continue without any of his personal addition to the values. The personal addition should have a base of good intention. We must see the intentions of the person we are talking of. When Rahul Gandhi does something, it is well evident that his intention is clear- progress for India and upliftment of all. He has been working for the democracy in his own party, organising party’s youth and state elections dedicatedly. At the present times any politician with a clear intention and larger concern is difficult to find, and Rahul Gandhi thus scores above others. It is easy to criticise on minute aspects, but it is difficult to take even half of the responsibilities the people in politics take. It is even more difficult to give up your youth life- full of enjoyment and irresponsibility- for the common concern of the people. Intentions matter, and therefore, when a person has started with a good objective, we must not deviate him by citing un-needed reasons.

Ipsit Acharya

ipsit91@yahoo.co.in

(+91)9090469100

RTE, 09

At the time of independence, the drafters in the constituent assembly had a vision to impart elementary education to all children up to the age of 14. This vision was passed as Article 45 under Directive Principles of State Policy, which are not enforceable by the courts. So, the intent could never take a serious path and there was no right ‘per se’ for children for even elementary education. In the subsequent years, there were many other proposals also like the National Education Policy, 1986 and the Sarva Siksha Abhiyan, 2002, which came up, but none made elementary education a right and therefore it was not enforceable by law. The Parliament has now, after 60 years of independence come out with ‘The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Bill, 2009,’ which envisages free and compulsory education to children in the 6-14 age group. After the President’s assent, this bill has become the fundamental right of every elementary school going child. This has been inducted as Article 21 A of the Indian Constitution. This act could well prove to be a national enterprise that would help shape India ’s future. The legislation would ensure every child’s right to education, and the obligation of the government to impart it. There are many features of this act, which may help develop the overall average standard of elementary education in the country.

The right gives for free and compulsory education to all children of India in the six to 14 age group. This also has the provision that if a child has not been able to complete or receive elementary education and has presently crossed the upper age limit specified in the act, then also he/she is entitled to get education up to that level. In other words, we can say that the right does not fix the age limits as exhaustive criteria for receiving education, but they are merely the inclusive parameters according to which a child has to be compulsorily put in schools. There can also be no donation or capitation fee on admission and no interviewing the child or the parents as part of the screening process for the admission into any school. Some other important points that may help retain students in the schools are that no child shall be held back, expelled, or required to pass a board examination until completion of elementary education and a child who completes elementary education (up to class 8th) shall be awarded a certificate. The medium of instruction shall be in the mother tongue as far as possible. There is also the restriction on teachers to impart physical punishment and mental harassment upon the students, failing to which there would be strict disciplinary action upon the teachers. There may not be any great steps in the right for the advantage of backward classes, but it gives that there shall not be any differentiation among students on the basis of caste or economy. The provision for 25 percent reservation for economically disadvantaged communities in admission to Class One in all private schools is also a good step to take students from all sections to the same footing and platform. This right also calls for a fixed student-teacher ratio for every class. The necessary provision of separate toilets for girls and boys, clean drinking water facilities, a library, playing ground and equipments required for teaching and playing is also a good step and would help in the all round development of the child.The act also makes it necessary for school teachers to get adequate professional degree within five years, failing which they may lose their jobs. The school authorities also need to work upon the school infrastructure which, if there is any problem, needs to be improved in three years; else recognition of the school would get cancelled.

The financial burden would be shared in a fixed ratio by both the central and the state governments, as education is a concurrent subject according to the Indian Constitution. The bill has been passed, become an act and also came into force making free and compulsory education to all children a right of theirs. This has taken more than fifteen years since the idea was first mooted at the national level. Earlier, provision of education was only an act of morality, to be helped by the governments, authorities for the benefit of the children. After this act, elementary education is the right of a child, to be enforced and practiced by the government and the authorities for the necessity of the child. Now, there can be legal remedies and redressals if any child does not go to schools for receiving elementary education and if any of the standards of the said school does not meet the standards specified in the act. This right gives the direct link between the children and elementary education and the school and the authorities are the bridge to help get to the link. If the bridge, in any way, is not up to the mark, then the child can seek judicial remedy. With the passing of this Act, we can say that the legislature has passed out an important and well intentioned Act. Now it remains to be seen how this Act is maintained and handled by the various Governments. Because, the main issue starts from now- that is the coordiantion between the governments- at centre and states- in implementing this Act.

Ipsit Acharya

ipsit91@yahoo.co.in

(+91)9090469100

Never Leave the Post

Just before sleeping after a hectic day, I was informed that our group has been selected to give the presentations before the guests next day morning. I was left in a dilemma. Again the whole process would be repeated. The matter which was to be presented was fresh in our minds as we had presented it just hours ago. I went to sleep, but, had in the back of my mind the blisters that had developed on the tongue and inner lips. I was not able to speak clearly and fully because of them. I had probably not eaten and drank water enough water for the day making the blisters arise inside my mouth. I sent a message to our group leader about it and told that I may not be able to give the presentations the next day. Then I slept, leaving all other things behind. In morning, during the breakfast, I was informed that my part was taken by another girl and she would be presenting on my behalf. It was ok for me as I was not sure if I would be able to speak clearly and fully. It went on for some hours and then I felt that I should do something of my tongue and mouth and try to present. I did not want to lose this opportunity of presenting in front of the Chief Justice of the state and a former Supreme Court judge. I could just think of the ways I would be able to present by keeping my mouth problems in control. It was still paining a lot. While having been seated for the lecture preceding the presentation, I could remember my school days and the days I spent as the school NCC 2nd IC, the CQMS of our 110 strong platoon. The sentence was mine only that I always used to tell my juniors and fellow cadets. "Never leave the post, one may win or die, but never leave the post." I thought over it for a long time and the next thing was that I told my group mates that I was ready to present. They also agreed. And then, the relevance of films in our lives is immense. I had recently seen this Tamil movie of Suriya, 'Ayaan'. In it, the hero is able to smuggle diamonds by putting a length of chewed chewing gum on a water bottle and then sticking diamonds to it before covering it with the bottle's cover. I bought two chewing gums, ate both of them and after it became flexible; I put it round and round onto my tongue and also covered my inner lips. Now I felt that the feeling of the blisters decreased a lot. I was ready to present and we presented. Though it was a brief presentation this time but the main thing was to be there in that group. I was satisfied and could just imagine the scene if I would have let someone else do my part. Aren’t there many situations in life in which we decide to take the easier and comfortable way and then regret later? It is always better to try for the best and be ready for all challenges. Because old sayings never get old, "where there is a will, there is a way."

Ipsit Acharya

ipsit91@yahoo.co.in

(+91)9090469100