Perspective

Lucknow

10^th Board results were out. Ayush was delighted, as he must be; topped school with exceedingly outstanding marks. Now was the perfect time to remind Mum and dad about the unsettled promises they had made. Best were the days when dad drove to the Pizza Corner; today was one of those.

Ayush sensed that no time would be better for his due iPhone what Dad had offered him as ‘bribe’ for ‘to-be-a school-topper’.

­­Ayush: “Don’t forget dad, the new iPhone has already been launched.”

Dad: “Not at all son. First thing Friday morning you’ll have it”

Ayush (excitingly):"Thanks dad. This is the best gift ever."

Dr. Sharma was bit worried regarding what his son would opt as future stream, engineering or medical. A family of 2 doctors was willing to welcome their son as a newest member to the doctor cadre. But being progressive parents, they had to agree with whichever stream Ayush opts. Still a part of him was tilted more to one side.

Dad: “Thought something? Which side you are going to roll?”

Ayush: “Engineering is the way for me dad. At least this much I have made out by now.”

Dad: “Are you sure? I mean medical can be a very good choice too.”

Ayush: “Nah dad. I have thought over it. Actually I have something to tell. I have applied for the JEE classes in delhi. They are conducting their entrance test next week. Kind of the best institute for JEE preparation."

Dad (surprisingly): “Oh! That came out of nowhere. You have already made up your mind”.

Ayush: “It’s not like that dad. Do you even remember last time when we talked this much”?

Dad: “Actually I’m glad that you have come up to this by yourself. But you must have similar option over here too, isn’t it? Have you thought over it?”

Ayush: “Yeah dad, they do have a branch over here too. But the one in Delhi is better. As it is, they are charging around 1.25 lakh for the course at either place. So I think Delhi is more suitable.”

Dad: “No Ayush, it’s not about the money. It’s just that…… Umm……Nothing……Let it be. When you have to go Delhi?”

Ayush: “Test centre is here only. After admission I’ll have to go by next month. I’ll tell you the dates dad.”

Dad: “Yeah. I’ll arrange for your tickets.”

Ayush: “That will do dad. Thanks”.

Ayush got admitted in JEE classes; a premiere institute for Engineering entrance examination preparation. They had a core of leading teachers for every subject and detailed analysis based preparation for their students. Ayush started to enjoy the way he was being taught there. He kept on preparing hard; his fingers crossed seeking admission in the top engineering college in India.

Gaya, Bihar

Lalit was ecstatic. He featured in the news column of the hindi daily. ”Shop-caretaker’s son is the district topper”. He was the new celebrity of the locality. More than wishes, he was filled with advices. His mathematics teacher, Dubey Ji, called him up. Although he had nothing to do with Lalit getting full score in the subject, yet he considered himself the coxswain behind his feat.

Lalit had nothing planned up for the time coming ahead. He had heard of the JEE preparations and all; but had nothing stored up for them yet. For the time being, his mind was over-contented with the vibes of his achievement; till he reached Dubey ji’s residence.

Dubey Ji: “Became a hero, eh”?

Lalit(giggling): “No sir, nothing like that”.

Dubey Ji: “So hero, what next? Delhi or Kota?”

Lalit was baffled to the question and didn’t how what to respond to it.

Dubey Ji: “ Aree bhai, you are going for engineering side, isn’t it? So, where you have planned to move”?

Lalit: “ Not thought over it yet sir.”

Dubey ji: “So when will you? When all the admission for all the institutes are over, then?”

Lalit: “When will the admission commence?”

Dubey Ji: “Forms are already in the market. I’ll tell Prakash to get one for you.”

Lalit: “Sir I have heard that these courses cost about 2 lakhs a year or such?”

Dubey Ji: “As far as I know at least that much you have to pay. It is like 1.25 lakhs + other expenses.”

Lalit: “Ok sir. I will arrange some money for the form. I will have to leave now. Mother asked me to be back by dawn.”

Lalit had now almost forgotten his achievement ecstasy; replaced with 3 words: ‘Delhi’, ‘Kota’ & ‘2 lakhs’. He couldn’t deviate his mind off these words from his thoughts throughout his walk to home. In the scenario where the imagination of such a huge sum was par from sight; the thought that, if arranged, that much amount to be put on only his expenditure was smothering. These thoughts continued to toss inside his head till it was dinner time.

Ma had also made a bowl of pudding for him; which she makes on account of special occasions just for him.

His parents were able to make out that there was some angst within his mind. His lost face was a clear proof of the suspicion. Father decided to break the silence and dig into the matter.

Father: “What happened? You should be cheerful today. After all you have passed matric with first division.”

Lalit: “No, no. I’m really very happy.”

Father: “But you look tensed. What’s the matter?”

Lalit: “Earlier today I met Dubey ji. He told me about these preparatory classes for JEE in Delhi and Kota. He suggests me that I should apply for them. But…”

Father: “But!?”

Lalit: “You know papa, it takes around 2 lakhs per year of expenditure.

There was a moment of uneasy pause in the room. Lalit waited for his father to respond, given the extra-large size of money he just uttered from his mouth. Lalit’s father knew that almost this much amount of money is needed for these institutes as he had heard from his Seth. He also knew that he was in no condition to afford that. Now only thing he could rely upon was the understanding ability of his son.

Father: “See son, you know that neither your family is in order to assist you with such heavy amount nor my 10000 rupee salary is. I may try my best but still I don’t think it would be sufficient even to sum up 1 lakh.”

Lalit knew exactly what his father meant. And in some ways he knew this. He also knew the financial situation of his family and in some ways he also disapproved himself going for such courses.

Father: “Beta, I can try arranging as much as possible but honestly, I don’t think I could be able to avail such huge sum.”

Lalit: “That won’t be needed papa. I have thought of staying here only. At this point of time, I don’t know how will I achieve, but I will.”

Father: “And I will make sure that I can get you the best resources possible from my extent.”

Lalit went along preparing in his hometown only. He got some assistance form his local teachers. He became more of an opportunist. Pleaded seniors to teach him a topic or two. He used to borrow books from them for a week. As time progressed, he proceeded with more and more enthusiasm and dedication towards his goal.

JEE Results were out. Ayush qualified with an All India Rank of 527, while Lalit procured 6188^th rank. So, what went wrong with Lalit that he wasn’t able to match up with Ayush’s performance when both of them started nearly at same level? Was he less in talent or dedication? The answer is he was as talented as was Ayush and also put forward his best efforts to achieve his goal.

This contrast between the two can be understood by a simple logic. It is similar to a situation where you equip a solider with full armoury, put in front of a man with none and ask them to fight. It’s simply unjust. From this point of view it’s easy to think of the fair and unfair. Similar situation is faced by Lalit, where he is not equipped with the teaching aids what Ayush has got. So the competition is not based on talent, rather it’s the money being the deciding factor.

So what could be the solution?

Every individual participating must be on a same level in order to justify the term “equality”. But unfortunately that could not be done. So the term “Reservation” comes into existence but not on the basis of caste but on the basis of ‘financial condition’. The mention of a candidate’s caste is irrespective of the talent he possesses. It depends upon the facility and opportunity available for him to nurture and groom his talent. If Lalit was not able to get better rank, it’s because that he wasn’t subjected to better facilities for preparation. So, he wasn’t on balanced scales with Ayush. So, reservation on the basis of financial condition should be introduced until we can avail the minimum facilities; after which we can claim that yes, the scales are even now. Its time now, when ‘discrimination and reservation on the basis of caste’ to be stopped. Help the talented people to break free from their financial bondage and can share a common platform. Because at times, equality doesn’t mean justice.