Do it yourself

Hon’ble Prime Minister I write to you with a deep sense of disappointment, urgency and hope. While the matter may appear trivial at first glance, the incident carries wider implications for governance, civic responsibility and the trust of our youth in Indian institutions. I therefore request your kind attention and necessary directions to concerned ministries and agencies. Background The Common Admission Test (CAT), conducted this year by IIM Kozhikode, is one of India’s most prestigious entrance examinations. Last Sunday, I accompanied my daughter to her designated test center in North Delhi (Indraprastha Public School, Rajeev Nagar, Begumpur – 110086). The center was located inside a narrow by-lane of a regularized unauthorized colony, with examinees—many of whom had travelled over 50 km—reporting as early as 7:30 AM for the 8:30–10:30 AM session. More than 500 aspirants appeared, spanning diverse socio-economic backgrounds. The accompanying parents included professionals, teachers,...

“Life is about the journey, not the destination” . This is a popular quote (often attributed to Ralph Waldo Emerson) amongst motivational speakers, self-help and mindfulness coaches, therapists, and teachers. I have spent a good part of my life aimlessly wandering in the hinterlands of India. During these journeys I have learned a lot not only about my country, people, culture, traditions, treasures, and problems; but have also explored my inner self. I can therefore relate deeply with this saying. However, a grave situation could arise when governments, businesses and other institutions begin to take this saying seriously; not realizing that it is about self-help and mindfulness at an individual level. Policy makers and institutions focusing on journeys rather than destinations may frustrate millions, depending on them for governance and livelihood, by causing avoidable agony and making their lives miserable. Unfortunately, prima facie , our governments have been taking this saying to...