BJP's dissembling policy on Vedanta raises eyebrows
A BJP parliamentary committee team visited the Vedanta University site and organised a meeting there, flaking the government as much as they can. It alleged the state government for giving away prime agricultural land for the proposed university.
THE REACTION of Bharatiya Janata Party on Vedanta University issue resembles with the reaction to that of a film star when he or she is kicked out of a movie. The whole story begins in July 2006, when the Biju Janata Dal-BJP coalition government welcomed Anil Agarwal to start a world-class university in the state (Puri-Konark region). But after the fate of BJP in Orissa in this election, the mindset of BJP people totally changed overnight – how is that possible? They surely would have attained highest knowledge overnight like Lord Buddha.
Recently, a BJP parliamentary committee team visited the proposed Vedanta University site and organised a meeting there, flaking the government as much as they can. The team led by Rajya Sabha member Balbir Punj alledged the state government for giving away prime agricultural land for the proposed university. They also question about the quantity of land and the reason behind setting the university in Puri-Konark area. Punj was accompanied by senior BJP leaders like Manmohan Samal, Braja Tripathy, Chandan Mitra, Dharmendra Pradhan, Suresh Pujari, etc.
BJP’s punch line during election was ‘development’ but it seems after losing elections, they have changed it to ‘no more development’, otherwise why would a person fighting for development will oppose a university and that too a not-for-profit one. It seems as if they think education can’t lead India to development. Rather than opposing each and every decision of the government in power, it would be better for BJP to fight for true causes like development in agriculture, economy, etc and this will also help them getting close to the mass.
For me the main reason for which BJP could not come into power is the lack of ability to get close to the people and I am sure opposing a university won’t do it for them rather they will have to face the agony of the youth who are waiting for more such universities in India. How many world class universities had come up when BJP was in power in centre, the answer is none. For me I can say that if I can’t buy a washing machine for my mother, I will not envy or oppose my younger brother could bought one for her, rather I will feel proud for him for buying an asset for my family, and in this case my family is India.
I am not against BJP or BJD or Congress, I am against no one but I am always with the development of our nation, in each and every sector. Our nation has not achieved what it deserves (a top position among other nations) and a lot of reasons are behind it – education is one of them. At present, the world-class institutions in India are mainly limited to the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and perhaps a few others such as the All India Institute of Medical Sciences and the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research.
This is worth mentioning here that during the signing of the memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the government of Orissa and Anil Agarwal Foundation, BiwaBhusan Harichandan (BJP), Manmohan Samal (BJP) and Sameer Dey (BJP) were the law minister, revenue minister and higher education minister respectively. But now, what has made them oppose the university project for which once they had played a vital role. This is a question that is tinkling over the peoples’ mind.
Now let just take a look on the ‘party badlu’ people during this election. Braja Tripathy of BJD joined BJP and Uma Ballav Ratha who is heading the anti-vedanta movement left Congress and joined BJP. A political party is not just a set of people but is a set of ideologies and each party has its own ideology. My question is that should we trust a person who keeps on changing his ideology. Samal, Dey and Harichandan could have raised their voice against the proposed university when the MoU was signed but they did not do so, rather they are opposing it when the coalition ended.
Now let just take a look on the ‘party badlu’ people during this election. Braja Tripathy of BJD joined BJP and Uma Ballav Ratha who is heading the anti-vedanta movement left Congress and joined BJP. A political party is not just a set of people but is a set of ideologies and each party has its own ideology. My question is that should we trust a person who keeps on changing his ideology. Samal, Dey and Harichandan could have raised their voice against the proposed university when the MoU was signed but they did not do so, rather they are opposing it when the coalition ended.
This shows their dual-faceted strategy but what makes me feel sorry for Orissa is that a ventriloquist has the power of leading and a few people are supporting them, despite knowing the fact that this opposition is merely revenge and nothing else and do I have to tell revenge from whom?
BJP’s punch line during election was ‘development’ but it seems after losing elections, they have changed it to ‘no more development’, otherwise why would a person fighting for development will oppose a university and that too a not-for-profit one. It seems as if they think education can’t lead India to development. Rather than opposing each and every decision of the government in power, it would be better for BJP to fight for true causes like development in agriculture, economy, etc and this will also help them getting close to the mass.
For me the main reason for which BJP could not come into power is the lack of ability to get close to the people and I am sure opposing a university won’t do it for them rather they will have to face the agony of the youth who are waiting for more such universities in India. How many world class universities had come up when BJP was in power in centre, the answer is none. For me I can say that if I can’t buy a washing machine for my mother, I will not envy or oppose my younger brother could bought one for her, rather I will feel proud for him for buying an asset for my family, and in this case my family is India.
I am not against BJP or BJD or Congress, I am against no one but I am always with the development of our nation, in each and every sector. Our nation has not achieved what it deserves (a top position among other nations) and a lot of reasons are behind it – education is one of them. At present, the world-class institutions in India are mainly limited to the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and perhaps a few others such as the All India Institute of Medical Sciences and the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research.
These institutions cater to only around one per cent of the student population. Many of the students have to spend a huge amount to go abroad for higher education. I know, Vedanta University can’t cater them all but it will definitely inspire a few more private players to start more not-for-profit world class universities in India and a day will come when we will have sufficient world class universities to cater to all aspiring students and may be to students from abroad also.
A single university cannot make a difference but can set a benchmark for others to follow. A university with 100, 000 student capacity and 95 academic disciplines deserves a red carpet and here is what we are offering it– protest, allegations, etc. Let’s grow up and with a little bit of foresightedness let’s analyse what this university will bring along – quality higher education at our doorstep, research facilities and employment opportunities for thousands.
Let’s not oppose a university only for the sake of opposing rather we should come up and stand together and witness the making of India’s biggest university. Remember, the movie ‘Guru’, where Guru bhai (Abhishek Bachchan) calls each stakeholder of the company to stand together and support, to be the number one.
Let’s not oppose a university only for the sake of opposing rather we should come up and stand together and witness the making of India’s biggest university. Remember, the movie ‘Guru’, where Guru bhai (Abhishek Bachchan) calls each stakeholder of the company to stand together and support, to be the number one.
Login
 Login through Social ID
|
