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Times Guests Athith Krishna and Akhila Jayaram spoke to TOI on issues like education, politics, environment and corruption, besides their dreams and aspirations. The youngsters differed in their views on tackling the city's garbage problem and taking a plunge into politics to change the system, but agreed on education and corruption, especially anti-graft crusader Arvind Kejriwal's recent exposes.
ON EDUCATION
Today's students are slaves of rote learning with little course flexibility. With very little time for extra-curricular activities, the 16-year education cycle pushes the child to go with peer pressure and obtain that coveted degree.
But both Athith and Akhila have managed to fight time and pursue their interests, including quizzing, football and writing. There are too many students chasing too few seats in IIMs and IITs. The duo has a word of advice for those who rigorously chase the IIT dream and then end up doing something they didn't learn on campus. "Bollywood is growing by the day. There are so many related industries and fields that can be pursued instead of something mundane, like engineering. The other option would be to increase the number of seats,'' points out Akhila.
On the 25% quota reserved for the underprivileged at schools, Athith felt the RTE Act segregates people and infuses an inferiority complex in poor students. "The government needs to look at providing proper infrastructure in their institutions and train teachers before bringing in a law that picks 25% children and puts them in an environment they are not comfortable in,'' said Akhila.
Added Athith: "Where is the need to invest so much in the defence sector? Why can't that money be pumped into education and improve the lives of so many children?''
ON POLITICS
Like many from GenNext, the duo has nothing nice to say about Indian politicians. But says Athith: "Indians can't blame their politicians for misgovernance as it is we who bring them to power.''
But Akhila is quick to add: "What about the illiterate who vote for something in return? How do you blame them? Education is the answer for electing good politicians. If educated, we would make a judicious decision in voting the right people."
While Athith doesn't mind taking a plunge into politics after completing his education, Akhila seems disinterested in politics but strongly feels that Indians need to elect the right kind of people, and not be swayed by empty promises. Both feel that youth political icon Rahul Gandhi is yet to prove himself. "Though he's been campaigning for his party, he is yet to show his decision-making prowess to the public."
ON CORRUPTION
Both have been exposed to some form of corruption or other. Athith strongly feels that standing up against wrongdoers is the way out, while Akhila believes in educating the masses to wipe the evil out of the system.
Corruption, they feel, cannot be dealt with in the Kejriwal fashion - that of jumping from one issue to another. "He's just hogging the limelight and should stay outside politics to bring about a change. I wouldn't vote for Kejriwal," says Athith.
Akhila thinks public memory is too short and corruption too deep for one person to take on. "Kejriwal should try to prove to people why he is not like the rest of them. He should show the way on how things can be done differently. I wouldn't vote for Kejriwal because he's too inexperienced. I don't think he'd create such an impact. As citizens of the country, we need to have faith in our systems.''
Both are of the view that Kejriwal has wasted his IIT degree by jumping into politics.
ON ENVIRONMENT
As other children in Bangalore schools, both have done their bit for the environment, from rain water harvesting to plastic-free environs. TOI asked them for a solution to Bangalore's garbage woes and what would they do if they were in the BBMP commissioner's seat.
An aggressive Athith said: "I would pass an order for citizens to compulsorily segregate waste, which would include fines, should people choose to ignore the order. I will use technology to its fullest potential to rid the city of the menace.''
A researcher in the making, Akhila thinks penalizing people would backfire. "People should be encouraged to segregate waste at home and kids should be taught the same in school. If I were the BBMP commissioner, I'd use the media to get my point across and show visuals which would scare people and force them to segregate waste.''
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bangalore/The-key-to-change-in-India-educated-youth/articleshow/17221999.cms
ON EDUCATION
Today's students are slaves of rote learning with little course flexibility. With very little time for extra-curricular activities, the 16-year education cycle pushes the child to go with peer pressure and obtain that coveted degree.
But both Athith and Akhila have managed to fight time and pursue their interests, including quizzing, football and writing. There are too many students chasing too few seats in IIMs and IITs. The duo has a word of advice for those who rigorously chase the IIT dream and then end up doing something they didn't learn on campus. "Bollywood is growing by the day. There are so many related industries and fields that can be pursued instead of something mundane, like engineering. The other option would be to increase the number of seats,'' points out Akhila.
On the 25% quota reserved for the underprivileged at schools, Athith felt the RTE Act segregates people and infuses an inferiority complex in poor students. "The government needs to look at providing proper infrastructure in their institutions and train teachers before bringing in a law that picks 25% children and puts them in an environment they are not comfortable in,'' said Akhila.
Added Athith: "Where is the need to invest so much in the defence sector? Why can't that money be pumped into education and improve the lives of so many children?''
ON POLITICS
Like many from GenNext, the duo has nothing nice to say about Indian politicians. But says Athith: "Indians can't blame their politicians for misgovernance as it is we who bring them to power.''
But Akhila is quick to add: "What about the illiterate who vote for something in return? How do you blame them? Education is the answer for electing good politicians. If educated, we would make a judicious decision in voting the right people."
While Athith doesn't mind taking a plunge into politics after completing his education, Akhila seems disinterested in politics but strongly feels that Indians need to elect the right kind of people, and not be swayed by empty promises. Both feel that youth political icon Rahul Gandhi is yet to prove himself. "Though he's been campaigning for his party, he is yet to show his decision-making prowess to the public."
ON CORRUPTION
Both have been exposed to some form of corruption or other. Athith strongly feels that standing up against wrongdoers is the way out, while Akhila believes in educating the masses to wipe the evil out of the system.
Corruption, they feel, cannot be dealt with in the Kejriwal fashion - that of jumping from one issue to another. "He's just hogging the limelight and should stay outside politics to bring about a change. I wouldn't vote for Kejriwal," says Athith.
Akhila thinks public memory is too short and corruption too deep for one person to take on. "Kejriwal should try to prove to people why he is not like the rest of them. He should show the way on how things can be done differently. I wouldn't vote for Kejriwal because he's too inexperienced. I don't think he'd create such an impact. As citizens of the country, we need to have faith in our systems.''
Both are of the view that Kejriwal has wasted his IIT degree by jumping into politics.
ON ENVIRONMENT
As other children in Bangalore schools, both have done their bit for the environment, from rain water harvesting to plastic-free environs. TOI asked them for a solution to Bangalore's garbage woes and what would they do if they were in the BBMP commissioner's seat.
An aggressive Athith said: "I would pass an order for citizens to compulsorily segregate waste, which would include fines, should people choose to ignore the order. I will use technology to its fullest potential to rid the city of the menace.''
A researcher in the making, Akhila thinks penalizing people would backfire. "People should be encouraged to segregate waste at home and kids should be taught the same in school. If I were the BBMP commissioner, I'd use the media to get my point across and show visuals which would scare people and force them to segregate waste.''
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bangalore/The-key-to-change-in-India-educated-youth/articleshow/17221999.cms
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