Caste based reservation is a double edged sword that is now unfortunately doing more damage than any good to Indian system. Although originally it was really needed to neutralize the ill effects of decades of tradition of untouchability and caste based discrimination but now it’s outliving its utility. As rightly put by Jacques Santer, “A quota is always something artificial that can only last for a certain period of time”. And as any expired item that is harmful for use, it’s damaging the health of the country in terms of education and job opportunities for the common people, particularly the youth.

Caste based discrimination is one of the most inhuman act that had been practiced in the country till recent history. Coincidently, poverty was almost a synonym with the disadvantaged. Any policy that discourages such act was the need of the hour to stop such reprehensible practices. Furthermore, policies like caste based reservation was needed for a defined period of time to not only nullify but also to compensate for the injustice done in the past. Fortunately it served its purpose not only in terms of counterbalancing the social inequality but also in redressing the problem. Although we must admit that it has not been completely eradicated for there are still being practiced at some pockets of the country. Hopefully they will be taken care off and integrated into the mainstream soon by constant effort of our government.

However, any privilege that aims to help people to raise their standards and improve the quality of life eventually produce freeloaders, for people tend to take things for granted leading to complacency. Therefore it’s best to have time limited implementation of these policies so that it should not be self-defeating in the long run. Importantly, because of the unearned benefits and freebies that quota promises, people instead of exiting out of it are now fighting to enter into its ambit. It’s a becoming a strange situation, there is a race to bottom to grab the advantages of the reservation by people from other caste also. This all is leading to perpetuation of mediocrity instead of competitive excellence based on merits. A nation cannot be expected to achieve its highest potential by promoting the systemic mediocrity in its education and jobs.

If reservation at all is given, it should be provided on economic criteria or geographically disadvantaged population. Poverty is never associated with any caste. It doesn’t discriminate. Anyone who doesn’t have enough financial means to study should be provided aid or given advantage of the reservation. Importantly, it should be limited to education and not extended to job sectors. It would be worthwhile to provide free quality education supported by the government until secondary school to everyone. This would ensure equal opportunity of quality education to everyone until school leaving. Later at the university level, quota based on economic criteria or geographical disadvantage can be provided.

Unfortunately reverse discrimination resulting from huge margin of caste based reservation is one of the worst outcome of the outdated policy. Increasingly, situation is getting reversed whereby opportunities are shrinking for students from general category. It’s like treating one viral disease by another mutant virus and in the bargain, asking for a bigger illness and establishing a vicious cycle.

Unearned privilege that reservation provides is a recipe for breakdown of any system sooner or later. We can only hope that government and politicians across the spectrum instead of indulging in vote bank politics act as a visionary and youth of the country are redeemed for such scourge.

Synopsis

Story of a girl Meera, who is unwittingly drawn into a conflict from where she finds it difficult to emerge unscathed. It’s her journey from being a simple, medical graduate belonging to a middle class family to the uncharted territories of corruption and caste based politics. Her path is crossed by the two men, both compelling yet completely contrasting characters, who are forever going to change her life. If it is Aman who can challenge her ideals and defy her resolves, and makes her the person she finally becomes, it is Abhay’s sublime love which enables her to go through the vicissitudes of life. It’s also the story of her loss as well as triumph against her own demons to find her true self.

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Raves for Seeking Redemption

“It was a perfect book and can motivate one”. ~ Nidhi Author on Goodreads

“Wonder full book.Clearly highlights the current problems faced in India as a result of reservation!” ~ Nikhil Dave on Goodreads

“It is one of the amazing fiction I have read in the near past. Highly recommended. Cocktail of Corruption, politics and love.” ~ Akshay_Tripathi on Amazon

“What Madhu does well with this story is to highlight many factors that need change. She brings out facets like reservation. She talks about the more rigid mindset of an Indian family” ~ Vinay Leo @ Bookworm’s Musings

About the Author 

Dr. Madhu Vajpayee- the writer was born somewhere in those hospital corridors where she has spent the last two decades of her life. Witnessing life at such close quarters pushed her to capture its enigma in her words and slowly it became her passion. After writing several scientific papers and chapters in books, this book is her first step in literary world.

Having done her graduation, MBBS from King Georges Medical University (KGMU), Lucknow she went ahead to pursue her post-graduation, MD from AIIMS, New Delhi. She was a consultant at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi having been associated with management of patients living with HIV/AIDS. She is now settled in Melbourne, Australia with her family, where she is devoting most of her time to writing, the passion that she couldn’t pursue earlier because of the demands of medical profession and commitment it requires.

When not creating stories, Madhu enjoys reading and travelling.

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