THE LATEST GOVERNMENT proposal on the Other Backward Classes (OBCs) is

another bleeding scar on the face of India made by the selfish and corrupt politicians of India. The proposed hike in the percentage of seats in educational institutions for the OBCs has aroused a nationwide rage among medical, engineering and other students. Students have formed several groups to protest against this step of the Congress-led government. Anti-quota protesters are organising mass demonstrations and strikes all over the country. Doctors and medical students from various hospitals and medical institutions across the nation are on strike. But, the government is not even looking at the sufferings of students and patients.

The proposal of the Arjun Singh, the minister for Human Resource and Development, increases the total percentage of reserved seats to more than 49 per cent in central educational institutions.

Nevertheless, some of my friends and I think that this policy can be introduced in certain vocational courses, as students have to invest their time very carefully in productive activities and enroll in vocational courses after finishing school or college examinations. I am a student from the commerce stream, and when I am through with the annual examination there will be a gap of about two to three months before the classes for the next year begin.

There are many students who have appropriate resources to join a vocational course. But, the problem lies with students who are not financially well off and do not have a right person to guide them. I think the government and the department of education should introduce certain courses during vacations in colleges or tie up with some good companies which can offer short-term jobs to students. These courses and jobs would save us from wasting time in call-centre jobs or sitting idle at home and will help us in getting some experience in our respective fields.

In these courses the government should introduce quota, so that those students who do not have enough money or other resources can enroll in these courses. Students should be provided with stipend to encourage them to show their capabilities. A policy should be introduced to r