Ekalavya approached Guru Drona and suddenly lost all power of speech , " Swami , I....I  ..... wish to be your student " he some how managed the courage to speak.

Guru disgustingly peered down at the cowering Nishada boy. Turning to Suyodhna Drona hissed , " See what your father hadone . He has allowed such worms to rise up and demand education from Brahmin. "

This cursed land has Shudra Prime Minister , a blind king and an arrogant Crown Prince! Guru murmured to himself.

First the suta ( Karna ) wanted to be my student,  and now a Nishad ( urchin ) wants to be an archer. The rise of Kali Yuga is imminent.

" You dirty devil ! How dare you to come and pollute this place ? Get out of here ! " shouted Drona.

That was the era when racism was at its peak. Usual day to day life was guided by Manu Code. Smritis use to decide the way of life for each varna.

Vedas, Upnishads,  Scriptures , holy mantras were exclusively for Brahmins and Kashtryias.

Sutas,  Nishads , Nagas , urchins and other untouchables were not allowed education at all.

I wondered and shuddered to the core ,..... Have we changed even an iota since those ancient days . Today , in India , for an under privileged yet bright student, does he have any option for shaping up his skills.

Surely,  he can't afford school education in public or convent schools  . Government has withdrawn aids from Aided schools which till few years back use to provide quality education  .

Only option left for him is Government run schools.  All of us know the pathetic infrastructure and dilapidated buildings in which these  government schools run .

Do we truly believe in our wisdom that a government school boy ( how so ever brilliant he may be ) can ever compete in fiercely fought JEE / NEET / CLAT

Ivory towers in Kota and practically in every city has even snatched education rights from our loving and respected next door teachers.

Today in India , 53 % students study in government schools and 70 % of the remaining 47 % study in small neighborhood just average private schools.

Only Elites / ruling class in India can afford DOON , SNAWER,  YPS , PPS etc.

How can we talk about equality and welfare as promised to us by our constitution. Ipso facto , rulers and their progeny will keep on ruling and ruled will for ever be subservient,  obedient,  punctual and above all " YES MAN "

This feudal mind set since the time of Mahabharata is still haunting us till date. Purposely since Independence no government has ever made education his election agenda. It seems it's a deliberate plan of the ruling class ( politicians) to keep this country illiterate.

It's high time that we ,'  The People 'should understand the meaning of our rights.

 Views spreading  Religious fundamentalism,  panth in danger, Mandir masjid , Rashtarvad  are destructive and devastating.  Country youth should not be so useless to be spent on Macabre dance on funeral pyre of religion election after election.

Education for not only all but equal in all measures be it a son of Prime Minister or a daily wage worker should be the next national slogan.

Only then real merit ll be tested in our esteemed IITs/ NEET/ CLAT.

 Otherwise this country will be ruled by ' DHARAM RAJ ' sanctified by robbers under the grab of  religious Zealots , nobles and corporates.

Under privileged,  hardworking honest , truthful,  Patriots will work as Drivers ( charioteer) ,maids , servants , clerks , constables,  jawans,  adhock teachers , engineers .

I wonder , have we changed in last 5000  yrs? One full circle has passed but again the same slang ' Raja ka beta Raja  ' is hugely appropriate.

Karna and Ekalavya though achieved their education but they could never get there rightful place based on their merit.

Both of them got killed treacherously on the instructions of none other than' Lord Krishna ' , supreme advisor and protector of Dharma of that era.

No doubt,  history repeats itself.

Thanks

Dr amardeep Garg

Interventional Cardiologist

Patiala