The Tri-Valley Scam

The Hindu reports that, "After being duped by a California-based university, scores of Indian students in the U.S. are now enduring the ignominy of wearing radio tags around their ankles so that authorities can keep track of their movements."

Now, I don't know any of these students, but I am fairly certain that they knew what they were doing. They are no innocent victims of a con-university, it was merely supply and demand. The students chose the school because it lets them work without having to attend regular classes, and the university makes easy money without having to spend on all the things that go into imparting a quality education like professors and infrastructure.

How can I be so sure? Because I know for a fact that the Tri-Valley is not the only university that does this. I know for a fact that students who go to these schools are fully aware that they are not getting an education. I know for a fact that they know what they are doing is not totally on the up-and-up. Most people I talked to are usually congratulating themselves for finding a way around the law of the land.

The US is pissed because these people are living in the country under false pretenses - they are working when they are supposed to be studying. More importantly, they are working when most Americans are out of work. The students have made a mockery of the immigration laws of the country by diddling around with the letter of the law and ignoring the spirit in which it was laid out.

Having said that, should they be treated like criminals? Are they dangerous con-artists that are a threat to society? No, I don't think so. What they did is not an equivalent of murder, kidnapping or robbery. It is the equivalent of cutting a line. They did not wait their turn and go through the legal process to finish college and then find work. In a hurry to make money, they decided to cut a few corners. They may have done it because they need the money. They may have done it to support a family. The reasons don't matter. What's wrong is wrong. The law may show some leniency in dealing with these people based on their background and circumstances, but it'll definitely not let them go scot-free. Since immigration is a burning issue in the United States, I will not be surprised if the federal authorities act tough just to make a point.

The US slapped ankle bracelets on these students because they don't trust them not to disappear into some small town. Its not unheard of - the Mexicans do it all the time, and some of the Indians do it too. Instead of getting outraged, India should take responsibility for these students and ask them to be released on the Indian Embassy's personal bond, on their personal recognizance. The embassy should house them and monitor their movements and take responsibility of these people until the proper course of action is taken in each individual case.

Democrazy

There's a new party in town; it's called "YSR Party". No points for guessing who started it or what it is about though. It's an easy guess, even if you aren't very familiar with the political scene in this region.

Keeping aside my opinions about the how lame the name is, I am actually thrilled about the fact that Jagan had to resign from the Congress party and start one of his own. And, I say that with no prejudice or malice toward him. I’m just sick and tired of the whole 'the king is dead, long live the king' routine and am glad Jagan didn't get an automatic bid to the throne just because of his father. At least now, if he does become the chief minister, it is not simply because his father was one. 

No, I am not so naïve as to consider it a triumph of democracy - the power play was unmistakable, just that the fallout was favorable.

If we look around, most of our leaders are relatives of guys who were in power at some other point of time. Nepotism is rife and party tickets going to the highest bidder is commonplace. We do vote, yes, but do we really choose who our leaders are? Or what they do? Makes you wonder if India really is a democracy, doesn’t it?

Participation is key to the creation and maintenance of a true democracy. When was the last time a regular taxpayer talked to his/her representative about a piece of legislature? Even a suggestion to that effect sounds ludicrous to people around here. "We" don't tell "them" what to do! Come to think of it, there is not even a channel open that allows us to tell them directly what we want. Once they get elected, they become unreachable. Sadly, there is not even an expectation in the least bit in the public that we should all be a part of the governing process by influencing the elected in their decisions on legislature. The responsibility of the individual in shaping the course of this country should not end on the day of voting. This policy of "don't ask, don't tell" that we follow around here, where they don't ask us what we want and we don't tell them either, has created a perverse decadent system that reeks of monarchy with pretensions of a republic on the outside. Even when there is a transfer of power or a change of guard, it is ever so subtle and demands minimal labor from the common man; it's almost like we live in parallel universes, one insulated from the other.

We in India have focused on survival for so long that we may have become insensitive to all the murkiness around us. And worse, we have internalized it ourselves. Each and every one of us, somehow, somewhere, has either been a part of, or contributed to this twisted system. They rationalize it in any way needed, inflicting long-term damage for short-term convenience. 

Just the other day, my friend was telling me about how he was waiting in line to apply for a driving license, and an "agent" casually came up to him and asked if he wanted to avoid the hassle of giving the test, or the risk of failing it, for a competitive price of Rs. 500. I am sure his experience was not atypical. I wonder how many people have declined his offer on principle and not because they didn't want to shell out the extra cash.

The most frustrating part about it is that people tend to find excuses for all the filth around here! Whenever we find out about some corrupt politician, or a scam, one can hear lots of "Oh, he's gotta live" or "that's how they are" or "he's just a fall guy; everyone's in on it", instead of being outraged by the news. Decades of movies showing politician after politician being nothing but corrupt murderers has made sure that the general population has no expectations from the government. If you are not protesting what you believe is wrong, you are actively abetting it.

Democracy comes from the Greek word dēmokratia - dēmos (the people) and kratia (power, or rule). But, in this country, the term is so incongruous to reality. The only people who are acting in their self-interest are the politicians. The common man has long forgotten (or never known) what 'rule of the people' really means, and has continually betrayed what's in his own best interest. Maybe it's just me, but that is crazy!