Neeti Nahin Chanakyaneeti!!

Now that both the participants to the reservation debate are resting easy post Supreme Court order I think I can talk about some thing different but still connected to mainstream idea.

I watched and wondered at the amazing dumbness with which Arjun Singh wiped out the war of words waged by Karan Thapar @ The devil’s Advocate, Meira Kumar’s final nail in the coffin to implement reservation in private sector within 2 years.  I watched Meira Kumar’s interview as well where she denied the survey done by her own wing (NSSO) and was willing to implement reservation further even though industry came out figures showing that they already had what she wanted without reservation but she wants more and more topping on an already a wonderful pizza.

Well all this time as this RDB Effect was sweeping everyone I was happy about something; the way students and professors @IIT came out in opposition to reservation. As a part of the alumni, I have known that IITs have been very media shy and the students have never before participated on a social topic at such a large level. Now quite a no. of my friends has joined protest march and some even volunteered for hunger strike.

But this is not a hue and cry about the same. I chanced to come across this article by Chetan Bhagat on Rediff which is of a lot of substance given the experience of convincing the politicians to at least come out with a white paper proving that reservation has done some good. Well all along journalists, academicians (here & here), some of my professors (here), dedicated blogs (here, here & here ) survey done by govt. bodies (NSSO, NFHS) have always been pointing out DATA, hard core facts as to why reservation has not helped all along and why it might more damage than help. But looking at the response given by politicians, they have very easily denounced their own data and have always said things which appeal to senses in terms of moral and social upliftment hence not letting their stand go in un-noticed.

Quoting Chetan “After all, the point of making a noise is to be heard. And to be heard, one doesn't have to burn himself -- that is foolish and a one-time flash in the pan.” He elaborates some ways for the campaign to be more alive and he makes practical sense when he recommends having a more visually appealing campaign, use emotions more than reason and intentions more than actions. Whatever data one gives is easily denied by politicians with cliché excuses but no one has any logic against emotions.

So post the forthcoming drama of merit Vs reservation the further campaign, if need be,   should be more emotionally charged, involve more use of multimedia and handling media in a better way. Clearly all the attention received this time was due to attention from media (terming this as Mandal-II). Medicos and Engg students should really project themselves as savior and the govt. as vultures to gain more support, may be garner more support on internet communities, have open forums instead of some anger showing protests like hunger strike.

While the drama might continue the medicos and engg students should ensure that the fire is not doused by the cold blows of time by organizing at regular intervals conferences, discussion at inter-collegiate level and in ways which on and off catches media attention and gives the public some assurance that whatever they did earlier was not temporary but is going to stay, that they believe in what they said this time. While senior doctors have started wearing black tapes as a symbol of protest but there should be catchier and in fact more provocative means which even media would be too happy to cover.
Medicos while giving prescription should distribute pamphlets to the patients so that they cover more people with their ideas. Put up a big model of India in the campus and choreo the whole event to put your point across. Even the same ideas could be emulated by engg students. This will keep the govt. on heels and not forget that there is one force which is waiting in hiding and wields a power to reckon with. To sum up, neeti nahin Chanakya Neeti se hi jung mein fateh milegi.