Reserving Comments on Reservations

Have seen this e-mail doing rounds mocking the issue of reservations (text below). This is also an example of how views and opinions get contorted and mass opnion is sadly getting based on the same.

Here's the text of the e-mail

" I think we should have job reservations in all the fields. I completely support the PM and all the politicians for promoting this. Let's start the reservation with our cricket team. We should have 10 percent reservation for muslims. 30 percent for OBC, SC/ST like that.

Cricket rules should be modified accordingly. The boundary circle should be reduced for an SC/ST player. The four hit by an OBC player should be considered as a six and a six hit by a OBC player should be counted as 8 runs. An OBC player scoring 60 runs should be declared as a century.We should influence ICC and make rules so that the pace bowlers like Shoaib Akhtar should not bowl fast balls to our OBC player. Bowlers should bowl maximum speed of 80 kilometer per hour to an OBC player. Any delivery above this speed should be made illegal.Also we should have reservation in Olympics. In the 100 meters race, an OBC player should be given a gold medal if he runs 80 meters.There can be reservation in Government jobs also. Let's recruit SC/ST and OBC pilots for aircrafts which are carrying the ministers and politicians (that can really help the country.. )Ensure that only SC/ST and OBC doctors do the operations for the ministers and other politicians. (Another way of saving the country..)So, what do you think, huh??? "

Now, here's what I have to say...first of all the person who wrote has bad logic and reasoning….

If the fundamental concept be that Marks:Examination::Time:Race then:

An OBC candidate doesn’t get the option of answering 8 questions instead of 10 he only has to score 35 instead of 50 marks. By the same logic if the average guy takes 12 secs for 100mts then an OBC is allowed 14!!!

The relaxations proposed are for purpose of selection and not relaxations on performance….an OBC can get into IITs or other institutes of excellence through quota but he can’t get pass marks in exams b’coz of being an OBC…for critical stuff like Army/Judges selection etc. the bar is never lowered…only a space is kept vacant (which is the where the system is wrong the space should be filled by the most suitable guy in the event a suitable reserved quota candidate is not available and that’s my reason for opposing…the basis too should be economic and not genetic!!)

Therefore the analogy being drawn with shorter boundaries and slower deliveries etc is flawed…..

What say!!!

The people and powers that shape the nation try to take a shortcut. It's easier to determine caste or creed than to determine and evaluate economic status (that too in a nation where even disclosure of assets is a circus..whether it's the glorified Ms. Sonia Gandhi or Ms. J. Jayalalitha).

The crux is to identify and give opportunities based on need. The Social Security concept has to be brought in to bolster such programmes that promise upliftment.

Point I'm trying to make is let's not question the concept, let's question the execution. Merit and performance need not be compromised. Why not think of increasing seats? Would people then complain?? Let the education system endeavour to include more people, the idea of reservation should be for everyone to get a shot maybe some need proping up.

All said and done the bottomline is that performance speaks!