Vaishali waiting, Rajani dies
Posted : July 26, 2004 at 4:18 pm [IST]
I wrote one day in my blog Vaishali is the daughter of a rickshaw puller of Nagpur. She cleared premedical examination and is now a student of medical college. She wishes to leave her parents’ one room dwelling, go and live in college hostel so that she can pursue her studies properly. A news-report in Hindustan Times Delhi narrated her inability to mange money to bear the expenses for the hostel. She still awaits some assistance from some organization or bank.
The Finance Minister, during his budget speech has declared that banks will provide loan up to Rs7.5 lakh to the students of professional courses without any collaterals. The other day one of my friend told me that now the banks on their own approach the bright students, arrange all the formalities, and provide the loan. I was really delighted about the changed conducive condition for professional education today. Why can not Vaishali be fortunate enough to get this facility from the banks? She is Nagpur, a fairly big place with many banks and charitable institutions.
And today Hindustan Times (26th July) reports another news: Rajni S. Anand, the daughter of a daily wage labourer Sivanandan ended her life by jumping from a 7-storied government building in Tiruvananthapuram on last Friday. She was a dalit student of computer engineering in a local engineering college. Rajani had to discontinue her studies last year. Her family could not afford the fees. Her father approached many nationalized banks for an education loan, but failed to get one. His two cents of land and meager daily earning was not enough for the collateral security demanded by the banks. Sivanandan also approached the Panchayat, the Schedule Caste Development Board, religious institutions and politicians. No one came forward to help. And now the suicide of Rajani has triggered widespread violence in the state. The students targeted banks, burnt down government vehicles and even ministers were not spared. What can be the reaction of an honest citizen? Why is the system failing? Why should we proclaim that no deserving candidate will have to discontinue his/her studies because of dearth of money, when we can not support it?
Why can’t these lapses from the banks be taken care off? Why can’t we come out with a fool-proof system to assist the deserving candidates? I appeal also all industrialists and enterprises to have a change in system. The industrial houses must come out, select and assist students in the very first year itself instead of selecting them after passing out. It will be more productive in long run.
- Indra
Category: Employment/Education |
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