ONLY MINERAL WATER WILL DO

The people of Andhra Pradesh have a reason to rejoice. The people of other states have reason enough to believe that they are lesser mortals to be ruled by persons other than Y.S.Rajasekhar Reddy.

The people of AP are to be provided with five litres of mineral water. The Hindu reported on 27th June that the Chief Minister announced this to prevent the spread of diseases on account of drinking contaminated water.

Ostensibly, this is a noble move, but let us looks at the economics behind this. Each mineral water plant is estimated to cost Rs.2 lakh each. When there are a large number of such plants are going to be installed throughout the state, wonder how much money will change hands.

Now, all bottled water can never be called mineral water. Even the water that is sold by leading corporations is not mineral water; it is only bottled water. Further, there have been instances even in the West that water bottles sold by some corporations were not really clean.

The same report mentions how the CM wants to take up the construction of 1128 helipads in all the mandal headquarters so that he can provide good governance to the people of the state.

Hindu mythology has the story of how a king named Bhagiratha managed to bring the river Ganga to earth in order to provide salvation to his forefathers. Looks like the people of AP will indeed attain salvation after consuming the ‘mineral’ water brought to them by their beloved CM.

History books told us how a member French royal family once asked her subjects to have cake when they complained of food shortages.

History also told us how the people reacted to the misrule of the French rulers.

MISPLACED PRIORITIES

The Government of Andhra Pradesh is really concerned about the 'racist' attacks on Indian students in Australia.This concern is evident from the 'steps' proposed to be taken in future. The Hindu reported on 24th June that the Andhra Pradesh Government would seek undertakings from the representatives of Australian Universities or institutions who come to the state to get students.

Now, the question is whether there is any University/institution in India or in Andhra Pradesh that would be willing to provide any kind of undertaking ensuring the safety and security of students?

What if, the Australians insist on having undertakings from the students and their parents or guardians over there conduct?

The proposed steps of the AP government are of the populist kind in the worst possible sense.

I have an younger brother who is now in Australia and he provided an entirely different perspective on the so-called racially motivated attacks.

Australia is not in the same league as the United States or England when it comes to higher learning. The same is true of those who go to Australia. The cost is much less and the entry does not always require solid academic background. I have a distant cousin of mine who was unable to get an entry into any institution offering a Bachelor's degree in Engineering or Medicine. What he lacked in terms of grades was offset by his parents' moneybags. He was despatched of all places to Nepal and he returned as a Doctor. Now, he is in Australia to get the M.S. degree that could make all the difference.

Students are allowed to work for 20 hours a week during their stay in Australia.But very often they work for nearly twice that time. Most parents would have spent their lifetime's savings to send their sons and the sons do their bit to send money home. In times of an economic slump when the local population finds it difficult to stay employed, these students are the targets. Of course, I do not deny that no racism is involved in these attacks.

Further, those who come from affluent backgounds, do not hesitate to flaunt their wealth. This, again, in these trying times makes the Indian students the envy of the underprivileged in Australia.

Moreover, the Indian students do not make much of an effort to mingle with the local community. They remain insular and form various associations.So they are regarded as outsiders.

The Indian government and the government of Andhra Pradesh or any other state government should first try to clean up the mess that the present system called higher education is concerned.