Respect to TISS and its students

A hallmark of a free society is its free people. People who have a right to criticize their government, their leaders, politicians, or anybody who holds an elected office. People who have a right to have a stake in the decisions by their governments that will affect them, their society and their country.

In my opinion, a hallmark of a modern society is its aware and active student body. Revolutions have been born in colleges! It pains me to see India's higher education system totally devoid of that higher understanding for issues, and an absolute disinterest in the affairs of the nation. It pains me to see the student bodies in the many engineering colleges, business schools, medical schools remain blissfully unaware of issues that affect our society. Social awareness is something that our society lacks in general, but our youth lack in particular. Most urban youth population is too busy chasing money, material wealth and superficial happiness. The few institutions that I have always respected for having that iota extra of social awareness, and not being afraid to express it, are JNU and TISS, and with all apologies to other colleges that espouse a similar culture of freedom of expression and thought, I can't think of any other institution.

My respect for TISS grew after they protested against Jairam Ramesh who came to give out their convocation degrees and told him that clearing Jaitapur was not right. I feel its this kind of student activism that maybe, just maybe makes politicians see some reason before they take decisions on important issues. At the same time, are there any scruples left at all in this country's ruling polity?

STRESS ON SAFETY: Union Minister of State for Environment and Forests Jairam Ramesh talks to students of the Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai, who protested on Wednesday against the environmental clearance for the Jaitapur nuclear plant in Maharashtra. Photo: Vivek Bendre

‘Don't paint me villain'

“Don't paint me villain in the Jaitapur issue. There is need for greater communication with the public, especially by the NPCIL and the government of Maharashtra.”

He said the present growth in India was imbalanced. “We have growth at all costs. It is imbalanced.” He was increasing awareness among the policy-makers of the environmental cost of growth. “We also don't want environmental protection at all costs. We need a balance,” he said. 

Vague, vague statements. Well, if we have to argue about the possibility of disaster, then the entire Tehri dam could just break and ravage everything in its path, so then one could argue to ban hydroelectric energy. Somehow, when it comes to nuclear energy, I dont know why but i get a feeling that India's absolutely ignoring a greater focus on developing and pushing alternative energy options, perhaps not to replace the traditional sources of power such as coal/gas, but at least make many homes in the vast hinterland and cities much more self-sufficient by simply using the power of the sun or the water from the rains.