For my country to love me, as much as I love it

I am an Indian, living in India. That, it seems, is not enough to allow me to get into an educational institute of my choice. Not only do you have to be Indian, you have to be an SC/ST or an OBC to get into, say the IITs. That is what the new 27% quota means. It is a piece of legislation that needs to be fought, opposed tooth and nail, by any means necessary.

As you might have guessed, I am a part of the anti-quota "lobby". I belong to the so called "upper caste", meaning simply that I do not satisfy any criteria to get a reserved seat (not that I'm complaining). And currently, I feel betrayed. Betrayed, because my government chooses to ignore my concerns, because they want to implement Mandal II. Betrayed, because my Prime Minister assures me that my interest would not be compromised, and then announces the quota legislation that very evening. Betrayed, because not one minister thought it fit to meet the striking doctors for 7 weeks, because they were busy with the elections.

Elections..that's what this quota legislation is all about. The government is worried about staying in power. It wants votes, the striking students be damned. The opposition wants votes too, because they want to be in power next election season. Ergo, "upper caste" students be damned!

I love my country. Is it too much to ask for my country to love me too?

Kaustubh

The da Vinci code

That's what everybody is talking about nowadays, apart from the reservations issue of course. And frankly, I don't get the whole hoolaballoo about The da Vinci Code. The way I see it, Dan Brown wrote a book, Ron Howard made a movie on that book. End of story. If people think that the movie is offensive, they would do well not to watch it. If they think that the book is offensive, they'd better not read it. Me? I read the book..it sure is a good read. Have I seen the movie? No. Do I want to see it? Oh hell yes!

There is one thing that sticks in my craw..how can people's faith be so brittle so as to be shaken by one frikkin book? Does the "The da Vinci Code" mean more to the Christians than the Bible? Does that reach out more? Do Hussains paintings mean more to the Hindus than the Ramayan?

Disturbed,

Kaustubh

Visa!

Got my F1 visa yesterday! Happy!

Kaustubh

And then, there were none...

Gave the last oral of my engineering student life on Saturday..and what an oral to give! Went very well..guess it does pay to study, after all! ;-)

Went and saw 36 China Town yesterday. Full time pass movie..great comedy, the plot is not bad too...good way to spend 3 hours on a Sunday evening. Then went to Shveta's place..saw the videos Bharat and Vinu made for us..they are really touching!

That's it for now,
Cheers!

Kaustubh

The game's afoot, my dear Watson!

Well...two games, actually!

1. The CLP oral scheduled for Saturday has really taken a turn for the worse! The oral will now start at 1630 hrs IST, to go on till god-alone-knows-what-time! And...apparently..the examiner works in the field of Systems Operations and Maintenance..a subject that everyone (and I do mean everyone) loathes doing! Arrgghh!

2. The bigger game, is of course obtaining the US visa. The preparation are almost complete..fees are paid, the required documents are ready. All that remains, now, is to actually apply for the visa interview. Fear not..for that task shall be accomplished before the sun sets on tomorrow!

Excited,
Kaustubh