Picture Abhi Baki Hai Mere Dost

The basis of Indian politics, since we got independence and a country - as we know her today, has been caste and religion. The very foundation of independent India was the religious separation of Muslim dominated areas from the Hindu dominated areas, aided by large scale violence. The world never believed that the entity of India would survive with her inherent divisions based on castes, religion and to top it, the leadership’s inherent love to democracy. The new nation entity of Pakistan was supposed to be more coherent ideologically, as a home for all progressive Muslims. On that day the god of destiny might have smiled and whispered "Picture Abhi Baki Hai Mere Dost".

The Indian politicians have not learnt from the troubled neighbors, and have kept on 

their divisive agendas. Surprisingly even the people of India have not moved away from caste and religion based political agendas, even after so many years of watching the effects from close quarters. A little scratching the surface brings us to the reason beyond any doubts - it is the governments - successive governments irrespective of political ideologies - steadfast control and man made short supply of education for the Indian populace that has led us to this situation. Until and unless the educated mind is allowed to think freely and is able look at the bigger picture, Indian politicians would be happy to harvest their votes by spending a couple of nights at a tribal house, announcing the loan waivers for the farmers or promising endlessly about a temple. Education will make people appreciate Milton Friedman's description of government:

There are four ways in which you can spend money. You can spend your own money on yourself. When you do that, why then you really watch out what you’re doing, and you try to get the most for your money. Then you can spend your own money on somebody else. For example, I buy a birthday present for someone. Well, then I’m not so careful about the content of the present, but I’m very careful about the cost. Then, I can spend somebody else’s money on myself. And if I spend somebody else’s money on myself, then I’m sure going to have a good lunch! Finally, I can spend somebody else’s money on somebody else. And if I spend somebody else’s money on somebody else, I’m not concerned about how much it is, and I’m not concerned about what I get. And that’s government.

The severe shortage of education supply, the big demand, the caste based reservations now being extended even to the premium Indian institutes like IITs and IIMs, the booming Indian economy and requirement of Indian industries of trained man power might eventually force the hand of government to privatize education and allow free entry of private players in the education field. As is being observed in the telecom industry, the quality and the price will be adjusted sharply by the market forces. On that day the god of destiny would smile and whisper "Picture Abhi Baki Hai Mere Dost".

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