Grounded Flight
OPINION | August 19, 2007 | Share
“Abhi to meri aasli udan baki hai” My real flight is yet to take off- This is her goal, her life motto. A girl yet to cross the threshold of adulthood. Eyes full of dreams, a heart brimming with aspirations and the aim to reach for the skies. She dreams of becoming our very own Kalpana Chawla and Sunita Williams. She is diligent and above all a beautiful human being. But in the core of her heart lurk insecurities and fears which wake her in the dead of night. The horrible dream, some one is clipping her wings and she cannot fly any more. Why these nightmares? Why this insecurity when she is young and talented? Legitimate questions. Which demand reasonable replies. But before replying to those questions I am going to narrate her predicaments in brief.
The intelligent daughter of a small business man from Jaipur, she dared to dream big. She wanted to study for B. Tech, her father agreed despite the hardships that they both knew he would face in financing her studies. The humble, god fearing gentleman always encouraged his daughter to pursue her dreams. The next step was choosing an educational institution. The full page advertisements, glossy pictures and glamorous were hard to miss. It boasted about the largest private university of India having sprawling campuses all over India. It was enough to lure any innocent aspiring student. She was enamored too. She dreamt of being a part of those spacious class rooms, labs full of computers, and hostels which can be mistaken for hotels with stars. Yes you guessed it. It’s ‘the’ Private University.
This was the year 2004. She took admission in the Delhi Campus. Fees, caution deposits, hostel charges were very high but it seemed like a small price to pay for achieving the dreams which she nourished and nurtured in her heart. The young teenage girl, was elated at the completion of the first stage of her voyage. On realizing that a new campus had opened in her hometown, she promptly got a transfer to the Jaipur branch of the “Largest Private University of India”. Little did she know that she had fallen into a vicious trap where she stood only to lose, her money and her dreams.
The real shock came, when she heard the judgment of the Apex Court, canceling the affiliation and letter of intent given to the Rai University by the then ruling government of Chhattishgarh under the Chhattishgarh Niji Kshetra Viswa Vidyalaya Act. But the authorities continued giving the students false hopes claiming that so many private universities existed, it was certain they would get their affiliation back. The authorities applied to the Rajasthan government to get recognition as a full fledged university. She kept waiting for the judgment. Attending those exhausting classes, giving rigorous exams, burning mid night’s oils to score better grades…but what was the result? After all the effort they put in, a big question mark has been put on their future.
The worst part is she is not the only one, she is just one of those luckless mass of budding students. Yet she refuses to succumb to the circumstances. It’s the end of her third year. The franchisee has shown her the Letter of Intent issued by the Govt. of Rajasthan. But anything, other than a recognized B. Tech degree, is useless to her. The fancy score sheets, given to them are of no practical value. Because an Institution unless recognized by the Government, or by the appropriate authority, can neither hold any examination nor is entitled to give any valid mark sheet to any student. She is even ready to take those exams again. But the question is who will take it? There are many like her striving hard and still fighting for a degree they more than deserve. Their condition is worse than that of one who is murdered, there dreams have died a premature death at the hands of the very system which ‘claims’ to educate them. And their nightmare doesn’t end here; many had taken educational loans from various Banks and Financial Institutions. They stipulated to pay the loan amount with interest after obtaining the precious goat-skins and being suitably placed by the University. How will their families repay the loans taken for an education which they ‘officially’ haven’t received?
And the final blow came when their branch did not get the letter of intent, closing down thereafter. Students from the Delhi campus got the temporary affiliation from the Maharishi Dayanand university, Rohtak, while Mumbai campus students got a distance learning degree. The Jaipur branch authorities have left the students in a lurch, in anticipation of a favorable verdict that will never come. The adjournments of the hearing has meant an endless wait for many like her. She approached the government of Rajasthan to be granted permission to migrate to any private engineering college so that she can at least get a piece of paper to call a degree. After six months what came was: rejection, first from the university then the government
Her questions need to be answered or at least heard.
Because you, me and all those who belong to this middle income bracket of the society called Middle Class are time and again been subjected to injustices like this by the rich and powerful.
1. When she took admission, her degree was recognized .she was to become eligible to give exams like CAT, GATE, and IAS. If later, the government realizes that they made a mistake in granting permission to private universities. At the end of the day it’s not the student’s mistake. Why should they suffer?
2. What would be future of the innocent students who in good faith had taken admission and are now unable to get the degree just because they are studying in a college which was by mistake granted permission and later was declared unconstitutional?
3. How and when would the students be awarded a degree by any recognized institution?
4. What of the important time of the students have wasted in studying for a degree they are unlikely to get?
5. Does the government not have any responsibility towards the students, rather than creating more hassles they should try and provide speedy solutions.
Just think for a moment… Would you let your dreams be throttled so easily? Because of some one else’s mistake? It’s just that this time its some ‘she’ and not you.
The Rai authority continues to play hide and seek with the students. The students only have an obscure picture of what is happening because of the misleading statements that are being released from time to time. Sometimes they say that they would arrange for the migration of the students to any of the private universities. But it was found that the said university has no affiliation to the AICTE. When asked about it, they replied that it’s not necessary for a university to have an AICTE affiliation to run its technical courses. Which the students believe is a blatant lie. Even if it is so the Rai people are not standing by their own words. With the 7th Semester only days away and likely to start from the September, 2007 they are yet to make any arrangement for migration or conducting exams for 6th semester, yet. They are only concerned about the money to be paid by the students. They don’t even give the minimum service for the same. Shame on these people. How can these people do all these illegal things in broad day light and before the very eyes of the Central and the State governments? Or does the Honorable HRD Minister Mr. Arjun Singh think that reservations are his only concern and he is not to be bothered with anything else?
Priya Aggarwal
(37 votes, average: 4.59 out of 5)
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This is very serious matter. Its pitfalls of our government polices. If we want to help our friends those are faces the problem. We need to take the initiative on this issue. People comes on to front and do the necessary action.
as per the education system there is no law of migration for migration . but there is a law for interuniversity migration within statre which can b carried out by the state government . but state govt says tht the university is quashed so ur nowhere so how can they transfer the students .
What we say when we read such things is “another one falls to the system”. But the main concern I have here is that why talent and knowledge are dependent on a piece of paper called degree.
And for Priya I would say, go on dear dont let a system bog down your dreams. There will be many more obstacles to come in life just walk over them…….
Its time for students all around the world to unite and sort out such problems where ever they arise!!!!!
this is a kind of vicious circle in which a student cudn’t leave the quashed college for the sake of not dropping a precious year… secondly thats not so easy to forget the hard earned money spent as the fees of the college…thirdly the young students become the prey of the attractive words n promises of the college owners… n as such student cud not take a correct step of leaving the college n joining another… BUT DOES THAT MAKE THE STUDENT FAULTY? …. this is what that our own “influential” pepole say, that they are….!!!!
This is really bad.
i may not know wat exctly can b done legally but m sure u can approch to the media contct cnbc , aaj tak n other media .. the govt has to give a proper relief . do it asap . u myt end up nowhere without media
this is insane. how can they do this?? who ever is responsible for this henious act unimaginable calamity should be held responsible. and if the students have earned the grades than they deserve it by all means!!
well.. the step u have taken is really appreciable … I think the best way would be to approach the news channels like aaj tak etc…
These institutions can’t spoil the future of the students… this incident should be set as an example by punishing the culprits so that this never happens in future. Govt has to take some action…
i totaly shoked. on one hand our govt. tried to stranth education and other hand they don’t give us jack and doing all this.
and also goverment lisen only those people who create Road Jam, Mar Peet and other such activities, and this is the truth of india.
this is only a tick to earn money.
if govt. stop student education growth like this they altimately stoping the education strength of india.
many politician fight for reservation. now where they are. our politician really…. no one with students.
all student himself fight for this. priya we are with u. u are not alone
This is indeed a very disturbing incident. How can the government be so cruel and heartless? No one has the right to play with people’s lives and their dreams like this. It’s such a sahme to hear about such news from India. The government must take care of these unlucky students, give value to whatever degree they have now or if necessary migrate them to other college/university. They should have considered the loss of so many students’ hard work going to drain. Their study was not for play, they cannot start over now. Besides the govt. should have never had given high assurance of giving affiliation and then just cancel it. This cannot go on and people must protest it for ensuring that no one’s industry and dreams become worthless.
i was literaly shocked u hear such a news……..just think for a while for d students who after studing for 3 yrs came 2 know that u wont b getting any degree…….all your years have been wasted………its like shattering ones life……… wat type of system is dis……. u keep on beating d bush abt brain drain ………talented students go abroad for studies ……..if dis type of things r done ……then govt has no right to comment on brain drain…….any any sort of issues …….just think for a while wats d fault of students why r they being punished…….. its d battle between govt n college …..n its d students who r affected………govt should give a decision thinking abt d students studing ………for d dedicated students like dis priya ………i am along with u ……
this is really shameful,i was shocked how can they do this??.many politician fight for reservation, but don’t think these kind of problems..Mr Arjun singh should take out his head from reservation issues and think of such more serious and concerned issues.we r wid u,now its time for students.
The HRD ministry is only concerned to implement its vote bank gathering unjust “reservation” agenda, unmindful of the real issues like this one.
the pertinent question is, what should/can be done now?
I feel the option is legal!
a case should be filed in the court against this university, for forgery and bluffing its students.The students should at once stop paying any dues, until the university ensures that its students are migrated/registered in the other private university.The RTI act can be utilised to ask the HRD or AICTE as to what is the present status of the said university, and as when and how it will be allowed to conduct its examinations.
This act of Rai univ. is really shameful,they are culprits of the society & entire people should be imprisoned for life……
My heart goes out to d young lady who is facing such impossible circumstances. But without knowing d technical issues it would be not correc 2 comment. In my opinion the girl should immediately file for admission from a recognized universiy and go to court against the ‘private university’. I knw this may not bring the precious time wasted but the court may force them 2 pay 4 d studies n also d compensation 4 wastage of time n mental agony. If u can get d money u deserve then it may not cause future problems.
another example of the real shameless system. we r indian youth and we wont let it go like this. even if the govt thinks that they made a mistake giving the afiliation, they must do smthing for the students atleast. whatever it may be, the students must be given their rights either by transfering them to some other so called recognised institutions or by granting the affiliation for the batches already enrolled in Rai univarsity
I feel very sorry for this lady.
I’m sorry. Cant do anything.
But don’t lose heart. Have faith in the Almighty Allah. Things would get better,InshaAllah.
terrible terrible thing!! SOMEONE PLZ DO SUMTHIN AGAINST THESE PEOPLE!
this is really very bad thing ….
i m very happy that u r thinking abt this topic wish u very best of luck and we also with u keep it up
Greetings ! 60 Years of Indian Independence; One statesmen from Imperial British said, India is going to dogs, into the rounghhands. Rightly said, Since students are suffering without their fault,politicians come out from prison without evidence, money,muscel power,plays this is our freedom; Student movement can change Governments, so act now dear, good luck you can change INDIA. And give freedom. God bless you,Peace be with you.
this is real bad, we r wid u priya…
This is indeed a very disturbing incident. How can the government be so cruel and heartless? No one has the right to play with people’s lives and their dreams like this. It’s such a sahme to hear about such news from India. The government must take care of these unlucky students, give value to whatever degree they have now or if necessary migrate them to other college/university.
i was literaly shocked u hear such a news……..just think for a while for d students who after studing for 3 yrs came 2 know that u wont b getting any degree…….all your years have been wasted………its like shattering ones life……… wat type of system is dis……. u keep on beating d bush abt brain drain ………talented students go abroad for studies ……..if dis type of things r done ……then govt has no right to comment on brain drain…….any any sort of issues …….just think for a while wats d fault of students why r they being punished…….. its d battle between govt n college …..n its d students who r affected………
this is insane. how can they do this??
This is Aweful. Wont the government do something about it?
terrible terrible thing!! SOMEONE PLZ DO SUMTHIN AGAINST THESE PEOPLE!
My heart goes out to d young lady who is facing such impossible circumstances. But without knowing d technical issues it would be not correc 2 comment. In my opinion the girl should immediately file for admission from a recognized universiy and go to court against the ‘private university’. I knw this may not bring the precious time wasted but the court may force them 2 pay 4 d studies n also d compensation 4 wastage of time n mental agony. If u can get d money u deserve then it may not cause future problems.
Its time for students all around the world to unite and sort out such problems where ever they arise!!!!!
i may not know wat exctly can b done legally but m sure u can approch to the media contct cnbc , aaj tak n other media .. the govt has to give a proper relief . do it asap . u myt end up nowhere without media
as per the education system there is no law of migration for migration . but there is a law for interuniversity migration within statre which can b carried out by the state government . but state govt says tht the university is quashed so ur nowhere so how can they transfer the students .
well.. the step u have taken is really appreciable … I think the best way would be to approach the news channels like aaj tak star news ndtv etc…
who ever is responsible for this
So shameful on the part of the government. Though we all know that this is happening we r not doing anything to make the govt and the pvt institute owners more responsible. I guess its high time that the owners of these institutes, who only care for money, are controlled and not allowed to dupe students. Also, the government should be more sensitive to the concerns of the students and evolve some policy to deal with such solutions.
Ofcourse her “flight will take-off” & her dreams will come true because , intentions , if real, somehow materializes, it is rule of nature. But what makes me surprised that , in this forum also ,there are so many people who are still expecting Govt or the “system” or “Law” to do something. Which govt, law , or systems people are still talking about ? Everybody please note, W. Churchil, the British PM is loughing in his grave , seeing that his prediction about India has become true, that India will be ruled by Monekeys & everything except water & air will be taxed. See the bloodsucker politicians of of post Independent India !!! Where they are taking this beutifull country !!!Pl wake up , lets start to undo the wrongdoings!!!
…this is strange, shameful & awesome.
ths is insane.i wan 2 be answerd dat y talent n knowledge r dependant on a piece of paper calld degree?
and for students like priya i wud sa “go on dear dont let a system throttle down ur dreams.thr mus be sm or d othr wa out.jus walk ovr d obstacls that comes in ur way
gudluck”
i will not give consolation to those studnts.
i just wnat to say that fight for ur rights.
dont blame the system. hv courage u can change the system n rules.
a battle may be lost but the war is always on.
guys there are two ways of living life.
either let the system change you.just accept it. or take initiative and responsiblity to change the system.
option is yours.
may be it dosent matters to anyone around.
may be it dosent matters to parts of system. but its definately gonna matter you.
i have nothing to say except keep your spirits high. fight untill your last strength.
Ships are always safer at the harbour, but they aren’t meant for that purpose
r u still waiting for govt to support u …. hehehe … thts the biggest joke if it ever happened !!
C’mmon INDIAN POLITICIANS, nd education minister ji,. is this the time to sleep?? wake up or else one day someone will make u awake so much that you wont be able to sleep ever,..dont let suicides self burning etc happen again,.. once was enuff dont let it happen again
Though I am pretty late but still I would like to bring this to your notice.
Quoting from above
“When asked about it, they replied that it’s not necessary for a university to have an AICTE affiliation to run its technical courses. Which the students believe is a blatant lie.”
Its actually true that any “Deemed to be University”do not require the approval of AICTE but are required to maintain the minimum standards as prescribed by AICTE.
I have a copy of a document stating this sent by Ministry of HRD Department of Secondary and Higher Education sent to UGC and AICTE authorities.
Students should keep in mind that a good institute/university does not need to publish full page advertisements! It’s the one’s who want money who do this….
Don;t know what happened to the student in this case
Government generally dont cancel affiliations overnight. They give warnings first. You can come across such things again and again. However, Students do not take precautions while taking admissions. If they would have followed the news for Rai University over internet also, they would have known that there were problems with them. Same goes with any other private college. You cannot blame government for all these things alone. The quality of education in these institute forces the government to take these steps. If they would have followed the education norms, their affiliation would never be taken away. Isnt it the responsibility of students to do background research about such colleges before they take admissions and pay the fees.
You cant blame government for everything. Take responsibilities for your act.
This is why, there is always a Plan B required.
But in this case….its all a fault of corruption. There are officers who need to check all the requirements before approving any institute. Initially dey did…..y? The requirements only talk about the material facilities like instruments, area, safety, teachers, etc. If initially the univ was approved then it means they had all the required facilities.
Later the college authorities wont sell them off to save a few bucks but take a risk of cancellation of the univ.
But later the affiliation was cancelled….which only means that due to some corrupt people from the univ and the govt, dey some how got the affiliation but later through some audit or something or also may be non payment of regular black income….univ got cancelled.
For students cant do anything on this, dey should go for complete background check before joining any institute as today, more than a mission, education is a big business.