Being an adherent of IT BHU, I would be elated to see our college become an IIT, as it would instigate a new wave of reforms with in the campus. Keeping aside the monetary issues and the personal benefits; I am looking at the transformation which would occur in the mind set of this place, over a period of time.
Stringency; as I feel, is the most vexing problem that besets our campus. This attitude has to be rooted out in order to ensure a better performance . But, unfortunately, with more and more young recruits falling into the penumbra of their stringent seniors; the quality seems to persist. And in such a scenario, the advent of an another 'I' might prove prolific in extirpating this canker.
However, in spite of numerous advantages of another 'I', I some how can not stop myself from thinking if we really deserve it. Are we truly a class apart? Surprisingly, the doubt emanates from the reasons which we say support our conversion to an IIT.
Coming to the first, which says, IT BHU is an established institute which has been serving the nation from the past few decades. This could be easily rebutted by citing the examples of Jadhavpur University, JNU, Delhi University etc. Even these institutes have propelled our nation with a substantial intellectual impetus. Arguments like quality of teaching, standard of professors, infrastructure etc also meet the same fate. We might be a little better than them but we are definitely; not a class apart.
Now, coming to the most hyped and contended point which says "IT BHU has been enlisting students from the JEE system since 1973"; it is very true to say that students here are a class apart. But then, should that be a matter of focus at all?
Is there any point in boasting about the quality of influx when a university is not able to improvise it? I can state it categorically that 2 among 3 of us would accept that they have lost most of their intellectual capabilities after coming to this place.
The quality of exodus, teaching practices, industry interface and etc. are the parameters through which the performance of a university should be measured. And in this regard, there are several other universities also which are putting up a rather good show.
Looking into ourselves - The student community. Being the students of one of the best colleges of our nation, we are supposed to be at the heights of intellectual motivation with in our self. Only then, we will be doing some justice to the extra 'I' which would be adhered to our brand. Now, I ask, how many of us still have that spark of learning with in us? Most of us are simply in the languor of clearing IIT JEE.
So, all the logics which support our conversion are relevant but refutable. The only point which is bolstering our protest for conversion is the promise which has been made to us by a few politicians. Hence, it can be concluded that our protest is totally on "emotional grounds" lacking a strong logical framework.
I totally understand that I might be appearing cynical here. But, in my opinion, we should concentrate more on reforming our self than protesting in front of the Indian Parliament. The quest for another 'I' might be a secondary avocation but not our supreme focus at all.
After all, how can we justify the hunger strike or the Delhi march, by a set of students who are supposed to be intellectually motivated? Moreover, how could any one justify these moves with such a plangent logical framework? By dint of such protests, we are simply defiling our own image in the intellectual clime.
Rakesh,
ReplyDeletetrue comments. on my 1st interface with the idea of a "protest", i thought much the same. I do agree with u in most of ur opinions, however, i find them a little presumptive. u know that the sclerotic bureaucracy that IT inherits with pride is not easy to fight against. bringing about thoughts of perpetuating changes within the system would for sure lead to a war amongst the teachers and students, keeping in mind that "logic" is not in the least an object of appeal to the masses of either. bringing change among us and within the system can come about either by evolution (which may take yet another millenium) or by uprooting what we dont like.
As i see the protest now, i consider it as our last attempt to this uprooting process. situations in here are way out of form for students to wait for internal developments, the major reason being the aleination of teachers and students and the stress still laid upon conformity rather than creativity.
Even we are to accept that the people who run the machinery here can change only if we change the machinery and not the men. i personally think that this little mutiny of ours was rather inarticulately planned and performed. "out of the blue" nature of the raised cries was another reason it took so long to first heat and then beat the metal into frame. but then, we did not have many choices, i guess.
Apologies for the elaborate comment.
All the best.
Once upon a time long long ago, when we were together in your post high school days, we were getting our nuts cracked about IIT, coz thats what we aimed for, some made it, some made it to a one less I in the I in the IIT, some dint make it at all..by any chance would there be a difference in ability/intellectual awareness if one comes from a different school just because they are from a different level of school...i doubt that....
ReplyDeletePeople are always on the learning path no matter from which school do they belong to...life teaches them all the same but in different circumstances, Its how much do you learn form the situation that mold you into a better person intellectually.
A way to protest this way in the open world is also a considerable way by which u would like to question the proficiency of your school. It is the interface that it provides which can be used in multiple ways. This it self is a very rebel way to put a commendable few mavericks highlight their point of view on the topic
As being a complete outsider who just has no idea how it does function, being biased in favor of the history of the school it might be a good thing. But kudos to you my friend to raise up the issue in such a manner, only if you could ask your peers to have such a thinking would they know the value of your anguish cries so hold a debate and see how intellectual intellects think about the argument in their sub conscious minds, then it would be a great success just to make them think before they act.