Ubermom077

I learned about the Indian caste system, after I got to know what reservation is. This is a personal story. In 12 years of my schooling, my parents always taught me to treat everyone with equal respect, with no discrimination. In Standard 12th, while filling the IIT-JEE form, I asked my dad about the category section. He told me to tick general. I didn't even know which category of caste I was in. That was the extent of my knowledge on the Indian caste system then. I got a good AIR, and I secured my admission in IIT Madras in Mechanical Engineering. Upon reaching the college, we were allotted our rooms. The room was double occupancy, so I got a roommate. I won't tell his name, because people find caste in names. The very first exam we had was in a Mathematics course. I passed with flying colors, but he failed. In the evening when I saw him, I asked him to show me his paper. Even some basic differential equation and number systems questions, he had answered wrong. I was honestly surprised. I asked him, bro, how can you get these wrong. These type of questions, we even had in our JEE paper. He just deflected my question. But, in a few days time, I sensed something was wrong. Because he failed even the Engineering Physics exam (which also had many JEE level questions). Out of concern, one day I asked him, why is he failing these basic exams. 60-70% were JEE level questions. He should be able to at least answer that. And then he told me his JEE marks on which he secured the admission. I was surprised, and taken aback. You see, those days, cut off marks was not declared publicly. And when he told me his marks, there was a significant difference. My first reaction was that it's not fair. Why is he allowed to come to IIT Madras on his low marks while I studied way harder to secure my seat. My second reaction was disappointment when he told me his dad was a IPS officer, and he too secured it basis reservation. I will be honest. I actually did not speak to him for a few days. But after 7-8 days, I told him that it's very disrespectful to what he is doing with the opportunity he has got. He should focus on studying and not waste it. Imagine a student who got in even though he was complacent with his studies. He even had a fair starting line, resource and money to prepare for the exam (unlike poor students). Honestly, once his dad availed the benefit, he shouldn't have. But, he did. Nothing against him. He didn't do anything illegal. But it's a flaw in the system. After some time, we became good friends. I constantly tried to help him in studies, but he couldn't grasp many things. Some other seniors also tried to help him with how and what to study, but it didn't help him either. He got a year back, then another year back and then he dropped out. I realized how reservation has both merits and demerits. On one hand, it allows the underprivileged students to get a fair starting line. That's affirmative action. I believe that is required. But, along with that, some preparatory courses are also required. Reservations don't apply to college internal exams. What's the point of affirmative action if a person can't cope up with the internal exams? On the other hand, I realized how many students, even if they had a fair starting line, utilize reservation to get into prestigious colleges, with much lesser hard work. Honestly, they don't deserve that seat. That seat belongs to a meritorious student. If one person has availed reservation, and uplifted himself or herself, reservation to his/her next generation should cease to exist. And that's why I believe in the below three:- 1. One Nation, One Cutoff 2. One Generation, One Reservation 3. Fair Exams. Fair Starting Line If the concept of reservation is tweaked with the above ethos, it will ensure both the things - fairness to all students, and affirmative action where it is required due to limited access to resources and opportunities. #reservationhataomovment #EndReservationNow