Written in the Times of India blog (http://mandal2.timesofindia.com)

Flashback to Mandal I:
I was in XIIth that year. Several students immolated themselves.. the newspaper claimes Mandal was an issue on fire... the end result- that classmate of mine whose dad belonged to the VERY creamy layer- and who had a 44% in XIIth, got into medical college while I quietly went on to do my B.Sc.
Fast forward to 10 years- Mandal II:
I am now working in the private sector. If the quota system was here, would I have been hired? Actually quota system in the private sector would beg another question- would the company I am working for be as well known and respected internationally? The answer is NO.
A look at reality:
Last time V.P. Singh (several adjectives come to mind when I write or say his name) was the prime minister and he let the country down. This time it is Mr Manmohan Singh- he seems to be a sedate reasonable man- will he understand or will he succumb to political pressure? That remains to be seen.

The plight of the economically backward forward castes remains unnoticed. The govt. has turned a blind eye towards the alleviation of their present condition. The only 'people' who have their say in Indian politics are those belonging to certain castes. 50 years of reservations and we want more... if this quota thing comes through- the caste system will never go away.

Lakhs of capable students will find out that their mommy and daddy lied when they said 'work hard and you will be someone'.. mommy and daddy never told them about quotas- work hard and you will be denied an opportunity you have earned.

Is the government worried about brain drain? Apparently not. They have full faith that at the rate we are reproducing, there will always be someone to take the place of those that left.. but look into the future- very soon all the capable people will be gone and so will be there progeny.. then, capability will become relative and the only standard will be what is now clearly sub-standard.

The facts are and they have been proven again and again:
1. The government does not have the balls to go against a proposal for reservation.
2. Mandal II will be implemented.
3. Economics based reservations spell to much hard work for any government while caste-based ones are easier and earn a lot of votes.
4. Everyone- look for an opportunity to go abroad- you will be right at home- you will continue to be treated as 'aliens' and 'second class citizens'- but like I said, it should be comfortable- after all it is identical to the way your own country treats you.

Swades the movie- a big lie. Those of us who returned with our children- if you want to give them a future, return to wherever you came from.

This country is no longer a country for you or for me. It is a country that unfairly showers all previliges on a chosen population- and punishes the rest of us for crimes we did not commit. A country which really holds no hope or a future for children of yesterday (like me), today or tomorrow.

It is a country that wants you and me to leave.