By Chandan Sharma
chandan.sharma@fachcha.com
Delhi is an interesting place, a capital city, ruled by a series of rulers of various dynasties and/or so called ‘slave’ or ‘mamluk’ families. They ruled provinces to country, extended beyond to the geographical border or the present modern India. It is happening since the era of Mahabharata or say Pandvas. At least the remains of scientific excavation by ASI indicate that the city is at least 3000 year old and governed by different rulers since then.

This is an interesting fact that some of the rulers had ruled according to the aspiration of their people ‘praja’ of the kingdom or empire. But most of the time they are governed by the by apathetic rulers and administrators. No, I am not a historian nor have any intention to be a historian.
But, those people, who stay outside Delhi or have no connections with the corridors of power, have strong apprehension or assumption that their administrators do not have any kind of connection with common men and they take decision sitting inside the air-conditioned rooms. No doubt, there are strong reasons for such kind of apprehensions but at the same time it is also true that such apprehensions are not always true.
But recently, during a discussion with some of the aspirants of Civil Services in the capital city I encountered with similar kind of apprehension of Gen-X or say fachcha regarding a decision of country’s most reputed recruitment agency UPSC. The top recruiting agency has made several changes for the civil services examination pattern despite controversies to select best candidates for India’s top government services. Gen-X, initially took some time to digest it but they welcomed it after several if and buts.

During the phase of metamorphosis I had asked about the decision to the then Chief Secretary of Delhi Rakesh Mehta. He was fully confident that whatever decision will be taken in this regard will improve the selection process.

But, now aspirants of country’s top administrative cadre will have to cross another preliminary hurdle too, as UPSC is receiving only online applications from the candidates. This is a raw way to scrutinize the candidates at even before the entry level! If go by the estimates the country has the highest population of young people but only 15% of them are aware of the computer operation or say belong to the category of computer literate. In a way 85% of the population of the young India automatically out of the race as they will not be able to apply online. In other words, the country, having over 65% population still live in the villages, over 35% still living BPL category and lakhs of schools still struggling to get computers and its teachers, does not allow an educated youth to apply for the country’s top administrative jobs. The apprehension of taking decision sitting inside an AC room is easily substantiated. Though policy makers can say that the knowledge of computer is must as the world is changing very fast. Personally, common men too believe that there is no harm in being progressive and advanced.

But at the same time, government or its agencies can not run like B-Schools, where elitist attitude is an asset. A youth can not be deprived from government jobs, or say even to apply for a job, considering the condition of education, standard of computer literacy and availability of internet, skill education in the various parts of the country. UPSC has recruited a large number of bureaucrats, due to their hard work, genius and aptitude and not just for some skills. If talent is ignored on the name of simple skills participation of best available talent living in small town or villages will be reduced considerably. This will actually move towards elitist bureaucracy (Indian bureaucracy is already known for its elite attitude) in the country. This will be end of the participatory or inclusive development of India & Bharat on the name of online vs offline. And, apprehension will be true that decisions are taken without considering ground realities just sitting inside an AC rooms. Afterall, ye jo dilli hai, is a part of India not complete India itself. But making our Young India online and rest of Bharat offline, depends upon such kind of tricky decisions. Don’t make Bharat offline just because of a small India has become online.