Stand on Reservations

Reservations are necessary. Affirmative action is necessary.

I have absolutely no doubt in my mind that for a well balanced development of India it is necessary that all sections get an opportunity. Not everyone is privileged enough to be born in a family which can enable him/her to achieve his/her full potential and hence steps like reservation are necessary.

However, I differ with politicians and other social experts who advocate that there be reservations at the post graduate level. I believe a lot of work needs to be done at lower levels of education. I believe that it serves India's best interests that at the post graduate level we promote talent which is purely on merit irrespective of religion, caste, creed, race, region etc.

But what is done is done and I think we should focus on creating so many top class institutions in India that it hardly matters whether one gets admission through reservation or not. Current issues are because there are too few world class institutes and too few seats and so many applicants.