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A Modest Proposal — Part 4 »

A Modest Proposal &#8 [...]

BTWN, Great blog!
-V

I will take a contrarian view.

First of all isn’t the object of this proposal is to impart literacy? Education would come to a higher-level. It is a minor matter. Basic literacy is just as important.

Secondly, it is very much possible that a good portion of the newly-literate adults revert to illiteracy. It has happened before.

Thirdly, considering how various entrance tests have been “leaked” in this country, I am not sure a mass-testing programme aimed at 300 million people(and loads of money to be made) will be leak-proof. I haven’t even started on impersonation, fraud etc.

Considering the track-record of regulatory agencies around the world, whose side do you think an ERAI will take?(btw “you cut I choose” and its relevance to this issue is beautifully expressed by you. I am not sure of the practicalities.)

Couldn’t this become another scheme for corporations to milk public funds? They could start lobbying for small “amendments” that tilt the field their way for making some more money.

Wouldn’t it be simpler to declare cash prizes for everyone who passes the “test” that you propose. The education(or rather studying for the test) can be left to the people to be done whichever way they want.

Aren’t you concentrating too much on the “private tester/provider” side while ignoring the consequences on the tested people?Would the newly-literate restrict their aspiration to the cash incentive only? Would they expect a higher social reward now that they are newly-literate? If so will the government be able to meet the new expectations?(I know this one is a very churlish argument but there are instances of college graduates expecting only ‘jobs’ of a certain kind.)

I don’t mean to argue or shoot down this proposal. But I see some basic flaws.

I suspect that this plan is based on the assumption that the government is corrupt while the private sector and regulators will be scrupulous.

When a society is corrupted, you will see aspects of it in all walks of life. How would the government official get his bribe if every private individual/company refuses to pay one to advance selfish interests? Corruption is everywhere.

I have noticed in almost every Indian blogs a complete disdain for the state. As if it operates single-mindedly to the detriment of its subjects. There are many honest officers and most of them are competent. The system is such that work happens in a sluggish pace because of the checks and balances. Without them the situation might be worse. But just as bad an impression can be made out about corporations. Nobody is an angel. People try to do the best they can.

Politicians try to meet the competing demands of various interests in our society with scarce resources. They don’t do a perfect job but then where are politicians perfect? India does a finer job than most banana republics and ‘fake’ democracies while giving a voice to almost every section of our society. We can do better but we definitely are not at the bottom.

This rant doesn’t completely belong here. It is a response to the general sense I get from various ‘Indian’ blogs(many of them written by people settled abroad.)

Your blog is beautifully written. No rants and name-calling. I applaud your concern and vision.

To everyone: please, if you are not willing to enter a valid email on the blog, do send me your comments by email as well so that I can respond via email as well. Thanks.