Life at the university would show me how marks, degrees, distinctions, awards and honours cannot teach you humility. Sadly, only education cannot build an egalitarian world .Subtly But Surely, India's Premier Colleges Still Enforce Caste Norms. I Saw it First Hand. (thewire.in)
A few days into college and the classes had begun. It was the first class of Prof X, a prominent name in the Department of Mechanical Engineering. The hulk-like man entered the class and responded to the greetings with a quick nod and waving of hands. His first words were, “Everyone get up and introduce yourself. Your full names and your AIEEE ranks.” (AIEEE is the All India Engineering Entrance Examination, which was conducted in those days.)
And all the ranks after 50,000 were repeated loudly. Very much like an announcement. The students who were clearly uncomfortable disclosing their ranks in the class were sometimes shouted at to announce it loudly. With eyes feigning shock and a voice pumped with pride as if he had ‘uncovered’ some truth, Prof X used to say, “Say it loudly. One lakh??? Ooh.” The ‘introduction’ formally declared everyone’s ranks, hence also their ‘categories’, to the fellow classmates.
Remember? The new exciting flavours of caste discrimination: Upgraded. Neat. Subtle. Classy.
01/03/2023