HIGH EDUCATION COSTS

Today, I had an extremely busy morning with loads of work and tension...I was making my way to the measuring room (where machined components are checked for accuracy). Suddenly, my senior yelled at me. He called, " Ananth, ek minute idhar aana"...

Me: Kya hua, sir?
Senior: Dekh, yeah kitne ka DD banvaa raha hai..
Me: Kya, kitne ka?? 45, 431 rupees ka..?? kis liye??
Senior: Iske bachche ki admission ke liye, LKG mein hain bachcha.
Me: Shit!!!, WTF!!!, LKG mein hain....aur 45 hazaar rupees donation???

This is the background story. 'Iske' refers to one the technicians on the shop floor. This guy wants to get his child admitted in LKG class. And the poor guy was filling the form for Demand draft and the figure was nothing other than 45,431 rupees. Just imagine, this is the donation to be given to the school for securing a seat for a child in class LKG.

I tell you, I was shocked to death. I couldn't utter a single word upon hearing this. It was so damn shocking. I was thinking of my school days. I am a proud KVian. Thanks to my parents who enrolled me in the largest networked organization in the world. If I remember it right, my shcool fees used to be Rs. 15 per month during upto fifth standard. I think during that time, they went for hike or so. The fee was increased to Rs. 45 per month. The last fees I paid when I was in standard XII was Rs. 600 odd for a term (i.e., 3 months). It has been 6 and a half years since I passed out of school.

I don't think KV would have changed much. When I go my school even now, it gives me an adrenaline rush, just because of the fact that I was fortunate enough to be a part of this great organization. Let's see the present scenario.

I am here in North India since 2.5 years. I used to stay in the company-provided-accomodation, near to which there is a KV. Whenever I see the gate, it used to remind me of my own KV, KV Thrissur. I even wanted to visit the KV once.

Upon further enquiry and interaction with lot of other people, what I came to understand was not really very heartening. KVs are not at all reverred here in North India. KV is considered to be just another 'sarkaari school'. I am yet to meet a person whose kid is studying in KV. The people are not to be blamed for this. For the pereception to be formed and instilled in the common man's mind, there would have been certain premises.

The common observations or concerns of parents are that KVs do not provide quality education as other private schools. The teachers are not committed etc. etc. Because of these very reasons, the common man makes all his effort, makes the 'aahuti' of his entire salary for the education of his kids. The average expense incurred, if the guy has enrolled his school in a 'decent' enough school in Gurgaon is nothing less than 3500 rupees. Mind you, it is 3500 rupees. So, for an year it comes out to be around 35,000 plus other expenses including donations and fees to various clubs at school. So, at the end of the year, it would be nothing less than 40,000 to 45,000 rupees. Imagine if the guy wants to enroll his kid in the 'best' shool in town. Calculate for yourself the situation wherein he has two or three kids. He would literally be fucked up!!!

I tell you, I haven't paid this huge amount even during my graduation from one of the best institutes in the country. I have to thank god for the opportunities he has given me. I used to get shocked when some of the diploma holders working under me, used to tell that they do not want to enroll for a full time B.Tech programme as it is a very costly affair, the annual fees being something around 50~60,000 rupees. But, now I can realize the gravity of the situation and the truth behind all these statements.

Just take a look at the fees for 'M.B.B.S' courses. A guy needs to have at leat 6 lacs to become a doctor. This is irrespective of the fact whether it is North India or South India. Now the situation is that, a guy who has money power can become a doctor, and only he can become. How are doctors not justified in charging hefty compensation as their consultation fee?? At least they would try to break even in the initial years.

But, there are many people staying in my hometown who have enrolled their kids in government schools and pay a very nominal amount as the school fees. And there are government schools other than the KVs, which provide good quality education. I doubt whether this is a phenomenon restricted to South India or is it the other way round- is high cost of school education inherent to this part of North India?? I am yet to explore this fact. Even my cousin studing in one of the best schools in Kolkata also pays a very huge amount as his monthly fee, which gives me an indication that high costs are not restricted to north India only.

With such high costs of educaiton, where are we heading to?? Can every child get quality education. By simply implementing noon-meals and some non-functioning schemes will not make a difference in the current situation. Nor will increasing the number of IITs and IIMs would help. I am unable to figure out one thing: How does increasing seats in graduation and post graduation and other elite courses help to better the educational standards of our country as a whole?? How can we ensure that every child learns to read, write and learn a trade or a vocation so that he leads a peaceful and comfortable life.? There is an endless list of questions which are unanswered.

BREAKING NEWS!!

An abused, overused and cliched term. That's the best description of these two words-'Breaking News'. I do remember, that when I was a child, this 'Breaking News' used to appear in the television even in those days. If I remember it right, it used to scroll through the bottom of the television screen, probably white letters written on red background or the other way round. Pardon me, for I don't exactly remember the font colour. But, I think in those days, 'Breaking News' really meant something noteworthy.

I am an ardent fan of 'The Hindu' newspaper. This newspaper beautifully brings out such public stupidity. I had once read an article on media abuse in the Sunday supplement. I would like to pen down my reflection upon the same.

When I woke up today morning and grabbed today's 'Magazine', (The Hindu's supplement newspaper on Sunday), with a steaming hot cup of filter coffee on my right hand and the newspaper on the other hand, I could learn that today happens to be the 50th anniversary of television in India. The whole television industry, both in terms of the electronic device called television and in terms of the television channels has grown far and wide, I should they both have been revolutionized.

We can say that it is a sign of development of our capabilities in Information Technology and Broadcasting. Thanks to the various dedicated satellites roaming around the earth for this purpose. In age old days, some 'LIVE' event had some excitement attached to it because of the fact that it was broadcasted as live. But, today, it is quite obvious that anything and everything is live. From cricket matches to terror attacks to accidents and what not, everything is 'LIVE'.

As a child, like most of the children, I hated this half an hour dedicated to news. The english and hindi news that appeared from 9:00p.m onwards. News were real irritants when you are watching your favourite movie or world cup matches or olympic games. On Sundays, there used to be the news for the dumb and deaf. I sometimes used to hear this news as I was curious about the signs or the wierd actions shown by the news interpreter. I even wanted to learn those 'wierd actions'.

Bandhs and hartals are the most common thing in Kerala. No other state would have been successful in witnessing these many number of them. As a student, an unexpected hartal or bandh was the best thing that could happen in life. Any news regarding an forthcoming harthal needed to be verified so that we can be sure of the forthcoming holiday as well!!. I remember my Dad and Mom saying, "Hey Ananth, listen to the news carefully. Just check whether they are saying anything about hartal or not". I used to listen keenly (that being the only instance when I took the news and the news reader seriously) and used to update my parents periodically. In case it was not convyed in the DD news, my dad used to tell Doctor mama ( our age old neighbour) or some other known 'uncle' to check the same in Asianet news as Asianet news was considered as 'faster' than DD news channels.

The faces of news readers were quite well-known and their styles familiar as they have been appearing on the small screen since many years. Now, I realize that they were some of the finest newsreaders ever produced in the world of journalism. The English teacher used to say, "Students, you must develop the habit of listening to the daily news for at least half an hour. Only then, you can improve your English". Yes, the student thinks and with the postive hope of improving his English, he listens to the most uninteresting thing in the world-The News. But, now I realize that yesteryears' news were not that uninteresting. Had I known this fact quite earlier in my life, I would have listened to DD news daily. Seriously, I swear that I would have done it.

This was history. Now, come to the year 2009. Switch on the television, out of 999, oh!sorry, 599, hmm...wait a minute, I think its 799 (sorry, I'm still confused!!!. I'll just check with the cable operator and let you know the number of channles available on my television) channels available, more than 50% are news channels, 30% are reality show channels, 15% are music channels, 4.5% are sports channels, 0.49% are spiritual channels, and rest 0.01% some other arbit channels. Most of the time, when we switch on the television, we have absolutely no idea what program to watch. Very few times it happens that we are tuning the television for our favourite program. Sometimes, too much choice and make your tastes numb.

We were talking about 'Breaking News'. No doubt, the number of news channels would be the maximum among all other channels. Every 'brand' of channel has its 'news' version as well. More than that, just have a look at the quality of news being read out or telecast. From latest affairs and 'bed stories' of bollywood stars to the length of Sania Mirza's skirt which had become a religious issue for the Muslim community to the commissioner's dog which went missing are all part of today's breaking news. Thanks to the multitude of news channels. At least, you can sit back and be rest assured that no news would be missed out. You just have to tune into the 'right channel'.

After the 26/11 Mumbai attack, the Supreme Court had moved an ordinance regarding the discipline of news channels. The news channels handled the situation in the worst possible manner. Day in and day out, the correspondents were there at the site detailing each and every minute movement of the terrorists and of the NSG commandos. They were even trying to get the inside information, which are supposed to be 'confidential'. It is said that there were terrorists group closely following the information being given by the news channels. Their job was made easy as the channels were spurting out each and every detail, following which they were planning their operation off the field.

There must be clear guidelines to the media from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting regarding discipline to be observed while handling issues of national and international importance. As long as that is not in place, the media will behave on its will.

Recently, there was an incident of boat accident in Kerela. Again, the media did the same thing. The entire operation was shown 'LIVE' in news channels; right from rescuing the people trapped inside to removing the dead bodies form the boat, everything was telecasted with minute detail. It is said that a couple of old ladies passed away due to depression and heart attack after hearing the viewing the disheartening incidents. So, just imagine the intensity with which the news is conveyed. It can even take lives off your body.

Its high time that the media, both in print and on the mini-screen learnt some discipline.

CRAZY!!!!

This awesome song is from the Canadian band 'Simple Plan'. The lyrics are amazing. It gives the true picture of the modern world. It's so much true to life that I thought of sharing this amazing composition on my blog.
Just have a read through. It's too good!!!!

Here we go:


Tell me what's wrong with society
When everywhere I look I see
Young girls dying to be on TV
They wont stop 'til they've reached their dreams

Diet pills, surgery
Photoshop pictures in magazines
Telling them how they should be
It doesn't make sense to me

Is everybody going crazy?
Is anybody gonna save me?
Can anybody tell me what's going on?
Tell me what's going on
If you open your eyes
You'll see that something is wrong

I guess things are not how they used to be
There's no more normal families
Parents act like enemies
Making kids feel like it's world war III

No one cares, no one's there
I guess we're all just too damn busy
Money's our first priority
It doesn't make sense to me

Is everybody going crazy?
Is anybody gonna save me?
Can anybody tell me what's going on?
Tell me what's going on
If you open your eyes
You'll see that something is wrong

Is everybody going crazy?
Is everybody going crazy?

Tell me what's wrong with society
When everywhere I look I see
Rich guys driving big SUV's
While kids are starving in the streets
No one caresNo one likes to share
I guess life's unfair

Is everybody going crazy?
Is anybody gonna save me?
Can anybody tell me what's going on
Tell me what's going on
If you open your eyes
You'll see that something

something is wrong
Is everybody going Crazy?
Can anybody tell me what's going on
Tell me what's going on
If you open your eyes
You'll see that something is wrong

THE GREAT INDIAN MADNESS...

What are you thinking??? Again, it's obvious. It's Cricket!!.

I would like to call it that way. We, Indians attach a lot of importance to glitz and glamour. That has become a way of life. Bollywood stands as a testimony to this fact.

'Cricket-craze' can also be attriburted to this very basic fact. Cricket players instatly become celebrities as soon as they are selected in the Indian team squad. They start endorsing scores of brands from day one. Cricket in India is more of a celebrity rendezvous and less of a game. And as Indians love to worship celebrities, it is quite obvious that Indians would go crazy about cricket.

Not only the 'aam janta', but everyone right from politicians to film actors, like to be associated with cricket in some or the other way. Let's take the case of the IPL. It was such an unimportant issue, which was hyped to such an extent that it seemed to be a national issue at some point. And again, Bollywood actors are associated with IPL.

It is not to say that 'stop worshipping cricket. Worship the national game, hockey'. I don't mean to say that from any angle. Hockey may not be worshipped; hockey may be neglected; but, then again, I would like to ask the same question, Why cricket???.

Even the government is ready to shed heavy sums of money on cricketers. Never would someone be able to read a news in the newspapers or hear from some news channel about a hocket player, or an athlete receiving huge sums of money as a cricket player receives.

I recently read an article on the plight of aspiring cricketers. It was really shocking and disheartening to learn the reality. If am not wrong with the statistics, it is said that every year, near about 2,00,000 aspiring cricketers compete at various levels of domestic cricket out of which 300~400 end up playing in some national level trophy. The rest are left behind. Of course, those who get on to the top are talented and would be capable enough to take India to victory in the next T20 World Cup. But, those who are left behind are left behind forever.

The article said that those taking cricket as a profession and those who dream of playing in the Indian team, spend the precious time of their youth and career practicing cricket and playing in some district or state level teams. Ultimately, when they are not selected for playing any national level matches, they are left with few or no options to fall back on. For most of them, it marks the end of their career.

This situaiton is totally different from a candidate failing in an entrance examination. For him, there are alternate courses and he can carefully choose some career which suits him. But, for the former, the case is different. The article also talked about suicides resulting from disappoinment in not getting selected into some match or team, people who have lost their mental balance due to the shock resulting from grave disappoinment when they do not make it finally to the prestigious squad.

The numbers are alarming. Imagine, people who, otherwise would have lead a normal life, ending up committing suicides and losing mental balance!!!. Terrible...simply, terrible.

Apart from a handful, for the rest its all nothing other than the insatiable hunger for becoming famous, attaining celebrity status and what not.

This is precisely the reason why I call cricket as the 'Great Indian Madness'.

ABSOLUT FAD!!!!

Sorry, I am not talking about my fad for Absolut Vodka (of course, I don't drink).

I am talking about the plethora of fads that has gripped our very own nation, India. First, I shall discuss about that particular fad which has the ability to drive an entire nation crazy, motionless and jobless. Yes of course!!, it is none other than Cricket!!!

I am not against this game as you might think. In fact, I have many favourite players in cricket ranging from Sachin, Gibbs, Rhodes to name a few. I also watch matches with high degree of interest and enthusiasm. I also get excited while watching close chases, bowled, dives, sixes and so on. I experience adrenaline rush during these events. Like every other normal Indian citizen, I also watch, talk and get excited about cricket.

But there is one and only one difference. I do and experience the above mentioned activities only once in a while and NOT ALWAYS!!!!. And that is the only difference according to me.

But we can see a lot of people around us who do not miss even a single cricket match and follow the statistics very religiously. In fact, that 'lot of people' mean a lot when we talk about our nation. Every small kid knows what yesterday's target was, statistics of various individuals and team records.

Again, we all are crazy about one thing or the other, ranging from food, clothes, watches, bikes, cars and what not. Craze of one kind or the other is embedded in the innate nature of human beings, only the degree and the subject differs. Let us not exclude other games such as soccer, tennis, F1, basketball etc. etc....

But, whatever it might be, nothing can beat India's craze for this particular game called 'cricket'. I always wonder what's so special about is game. If it just a couple of individuals, a particular state where the game is popular, it is very well understood. But, an entire nation going crazy about a game??? Tough to believe and accept when looked on from a neutral perspective. Cricket may one such thing that surpasses and shatters all boundries of state, north-south-east-west India, caste, religion, sex (boys would be more crazy for that matter), social status, economic status, rich & poor - all the possible divisions and classes that we can think of.

At this point in time, nothing unites India as strong as cricket. Indians can be proud of this fact.

I often think of the psychology behind this mad craze for this game. What I can think of are a few reasons to justify it. Let us start from the very obvious. It might be because of the fact that the game is too interesting. But, then again there are lot of games that are much intersting than cricket. If we look at tennis, there are at least some supermodels to watch out for, who have been the dreamgirls of too many a gentlemen.

ABCD.............

'ABCD-American Born Confused Desi'. Even though this acronym is referred to as a joke, I lately realised that there is a lot of truth attached to this joke.

The reason being nothing else but the very innate confused nature of ABCDs. ABCD need not necessarily be from America, but can be from anywhere outside India. All of them share the aforementioned common trait.

Hey, for those of you who are NRIs or who are very closely related to NRIs, there is no offence intended. And it is not to say those born and brought up outside India are 'confused'. I shall explain what I mean to say.

This is what happens. Mr X along with Mrs. X go abroad to work there as Mr.X has got a very good offer. And since Mr. X thinks that there is no point staying in India and since he is getting better package and better facilities abroad, the reasons for moving out are quite obvious. Fine.

Later, at some point in time, junior X marks his presence on the earth. Now what? Mr. X is all prepared to meet the challenges. Mr. X enrols junior X in a good Indian school where he can comfortably study C.B.S.E or I.C.S.E syllabus. In some cases, Mr. X may enrol junior X in a British School, Irish School, Scottish School or whatever school he feels like enroling junior X in. Hey, its not because Indian schools are bad as you are thinking, its just that Mr. X is a bit more ambitious.

Junior X completes his boards in due course of time. In his summer vacation, Mr. X decides to visit India.

After coming to India, during his visits to various places and relatives, junior X marks his observations about his Indian counterparts. Junior X notices that the Indian kids do not speak English in the right accent, at least he thinks that what he uses is the right accent. Junior X observes that his Indian counterparts do not use computer as frequently as he does. Their typing speed is far less as compared to his typing speed. They do not eat pizza and burger daily. They dress up in a very modest manner. Junior X is feeling extremely shitty about his Indian counterparts.

Junior X decides once and for all that this is not the place for him. His 'country' is far better than India. He is afraid that if he stays in India, his kids would become like his Indian counterparts not knowing what a pizza and burger tastes like.

He would rather prefer to stay as an ABCD who 'visits' India once in a year or two. He would rather prefer to pass on the legacy of an ABCD down the generation ladder, so that super junior X's would become better ABCDs.