Mysuru: Across the country, and Karnataka is no exception, farmer’s distress is on the rise, due to a variety of factors, ranging from unpaid debt, to personal habits and plenty in between. Women are constantly under attack. Society has many other ills too, and most of them, people blame on the political and administrative system of the country.
Columnist and Mysuru Additional Regional Commissioner (Administration and Development), M R Ravi, however begs to differ. He attributes most these ills to a faulty educational system.
MR Ravi has written several books including ‘Modern Education and Social Change’, ‘E Jeevana Nammadu’ and ‘Yarannoo Nirlakshisabedi Please’. His writings are mainly focused on social and psychological issues that plague our society. Together with his critical official role as the Additional Regional Commissioner, he is the ideal source of wisdom on what ails our society and system. Having previously served as MCC Commissioner, Senior Assistant Commissioner in Kodagu, and as Secretary in the Ministry for higher education, he has a multi lateral perspective that spans psychological, cultural and administrative insights.
It is in this context, that Newskarnataka’s correspondent, Fakruddin Husen spoke to him, seeking his views on the issues of the moment that range from the quality of education to farmer distress, and on his roles as an informal educationist and effective administrator. Here are excerpts from the wide ranging interview.
Apart from performing your governmental duties, you’ve been active in helping the new generation to adapt to changes in society through your writings and interaction with various focus groups. What motivates you to go beyond the call of duty?
My father, who was an ophthalmologist, always used to serve needy people and I’ve learnt from him. He has been my inspiration for my social work. Also, I was born and brought up in Mysuru city and the traditional culture followed in the region also influenced me to serve the community in whatever way I can. Life is journey towards perfection, and in this journey we need to carry everyone with us. This does not require any special education, but the education system itself should lead us in this direction. The education systems should focus on development of humanity, and social service should be treated as a religion.
What in your opinion is wrong with the current education system? And Why?
The entire education system is faulty because it is not designed based on the needs of people. It is a borrowed education system from the British. And the education system was imposed on us without conducting any study of our culture or our educational needs. We have not stopped to think as to what kind of education we need to adopt and what not to adopt? The people of India at no point of time in their history have been given an opportunity to apply their mind to an evolutionary education system, and naturally this has resulted in mere adaptation. We need to modify it and make it to suitable to needs of our country.
But even rightwing groups criticize the education system and say it must be changed. They prescribe an education system based on the country’s religious and cultural heritage. Do you subscribe to that view?
No, my concern is based on humanity and not on any philosophy or ideology. You know, every philosophy develops its own ideologies. Naturally, right wing philosophies, cannot accept socialist philosophies and ideas. Society tends to bifurcate itself, when sections of it, adopt rigid positions based on these opposing philosophies and their resultant ideologies. In these circumstances, it is important that the essence of these philosophies are distilled and a balanced approach be adopted, in what Buddha called the ‘the middle path’.
If the current education system is faulty, what is the alternative in your view?
Yes, I said that current education system is faulty, but it does not mean it is completely wrong, or that it cannot be fixed. As there is no ongoing effort to develop it to meet our needs, it’s better than nothing. Education, employment and life are completely different aspects of living and we need to connect all these things for the overall development of the country. We must take a comprehensive view that includes our disparities, diversity and differences while modifying the system.
People often assail the administrative system for its ineffectiveness.
The administration is not a tool to find solutions for all issues. It can at most, facilitate in finding solutions for the problems. And there is no point in railing against government systems when the people are themselves responsible for the kind of government they have, through the democratic systems in place.
In the common man’s perception, it is the inability of the government to deal effectively with farmer distress and women’s safety and related issues that is worrying, What is your view?
There is a strong need to institute a monitoring system for the schemes available to farmers. There are many government schemes that offer training in agricultural techniques, marketing of products and other related agricultural activities. However, due to lack of a proper monitoring system, the schemes go underutilized, and farmers grow desperate and commit suicide.
Women empowerment on the other hand, can be achieved only if we practice what we preach. Also, better education, including job oriented training can help women to empower themselves. Once they acquire skills, they can grow economically, socially and politically. Women have been suppressed, and discriminated like the Dalits for centuries, and we need to understand this and modify our education and skill systems accordingly.
I again say, modify the education system to cater to society’s needs and practice what you preach, and many, if not all of the ills of society will go away.
