Balance of Power ' the IIT Way
Balance of Power ' the
"Balance of Power": I learnt it at an unexpected place: IIT
If we search beyond the international relations, the following meanings can be derived from the term “Balance of Power”:
- Balance of Power is a musical rock band from
- Balance of Power is a computer game first released for Apple Macintosh.
- Balance of Power is a 1986 album by the Electric Light Orchestra.
- Balance of Power is a book by
- Balance of Power is a novel by Richard North Patterson
But I learnt a new meaning of Balance of Power, the day I visited IIT Bombay. Yes, I mean Indian Institute of Technology,
Shivaji and Ambedkar, under the same roof
When you reach the reception area in the main academic building of IIT Bombay, you will find two busts there. One is of the Shivaji and the other is of BR Ambedkar. Neither personality needs an introduction. But their statues do. I could not get time to find out which was installed earlier. But the statue of Shivaji was installed at a more appropriate place and was covered with glass casing. The statue of BR Ambedkar was in the open, and it seemed that they tried hard to look for a convenient place for it. That is why the wall before his statue looks askew in this picture. It seems to me that the Shivaji's statue was present there from before and a new statue of BR Ambedkar was installed later on.
Balance of Power
Why from the whole universe of great scientists and thinkers did the IIT authorities choose to install these two figures there?
Shivaji, Chatrapati Shivaji Raje Bhonsle to be precise, is one of the greatest heroes in
BR Ambedkar is a Bharat Ratna; first he fought for the rights of lower caste and untouchables among Hindus and then started the Dalit Buddhist Movement. He is credited for being chairman of the Constitution Drafting Committee. (Ambedkar hated Hinduism and was a fierce critic of Gandhiji. Taking note of his state of mind, it surprises me why the Congress party made him in charge of writing the rules for Indian democracy!). Several political parties like the BSP and Dalit organizations have made him their paragon and constant source of inspiration. Go to any slum in Mumbai, and you will find his statue or temple guarding the area.
But a pragmatist will say that Maratha are ‘upper caste’ community and its leader Shivaji was also upper caste. So the balance of power seems to be tilted in favor of these so called upper caste people. (It looks dirty, but there are people who would support this notion). The remedy? Install another statue of a person from the lower caste; who can be better than BR Ambedkar himself? So another statue of BR Ambedkar comes under the same roof. This decision may have been taken by some director with a different set of inspiration, or under demands from some local politicians.
Well, I don't have an objection until things work out under some reasonable logic. Neither of these two gentlemen had any relations with IIT B. Also, some political organizations have vested interests in promoting them. Why should an IIT install busts of people who are neither related to the institute nor do they provide any inspiration to the students/faculty? I have no objection, until it is followed by some sound logic. We can't let politics acquire a position adjacent to the "reception desk"! Balance of Power should not be an extracurricular learning at an IIT.
[Kumar Rahul, Mumbai, Sunday, May 6, 2007, 12:34 PM]
One of those many instances which you see around India. But statues are grossly overrated for their importance and ease to incite emotions - someone puts a chappal garland and the next day there will be riots. I am surprised that as an educated person you are giving so much importance to a statue yourself? Statues in India dont mean a thing as the values behind are long lost. So think of something else about IITs.. Like may be a petition against Quotas in IITs!
It is rather surprising that centres of excellence such as IITs which are apolitical should kowtow to the dictates of political pressures and install statutes which is incongruous. Only in India, such things happen and strangely, we have been accustomed to accept such bullying by powers that be lest we face the music ! So far, IITs and IIMs enjoyed special privileges by an act of Parliament but our over enthusiastic so called “Elected Representatives “ will go to any length so that their vote bank remains intact. This is a sorry state of affairs and unfortunately, we can hardly resist because our system basically is corrupt and I agree with the dictum, “Power corrupts and absolute power absolutely “.
Very well written Rahul…. another Karan Thapar is in making :)
Its another proof of how mean politics is making its way into premier Institutes like IITs and IIMs.I don”t know where we will land up doing all this nonsense.
a very thought provoking one rahul…..butr honnestlyi dont believe all this bull shit called caste system…..rather than getting any inspiration from the deeds of these great leaders see where the thoughts trail off..to…discussing the caste…..i can just pray that teh newere upcoming generations slowly disslove this issue to negligibility….
good! liked it
Your style of writing is commendable. You have an eagle eye. By reading the article, I will improve my linguistic context and also the knowledge.
Well written. I appreciate your talent and the efforts you put in.
Shivaji and BR Ambedkar were two different personalities from different background with different perspectives about the life. They could do the best in their life.
But one thing I firmly believe that institutions do not discriminate cast, creed or color.
I can tell you that I have come across this issue many times in newspapers of Mumbai. The statues of Ambedkar and Shivaji, just by side and side certainly looks conflicting to each other.
Very good article of yours. Hats off to keen observation and dwelling into psyche of politicians. Shivaji OR BR Ambedkar are certainly not inspiration
of IIT students/staff . Given chance to comment statues of APJ Abdul
Kalam, Vikram Sarabhai, Ramanujam, Aryabhatta, Chandrashekar, Dr. Khurana, even Rajiv Ghandhi would be better suited as inspiration to students and staff members.
3.Shiva Ji and B.R :I have lived in Bombay (I hate calling it Mumbai it sounds Dubai) for four years working a giant MNC,even in our office reception we had Shiva Ji’’s bust.Shiva Ji is an icon and reverend figure for Maraths and for all and every Indian. I agree the installation of B.R’’s bust,would surely have been an after thought and a result of political expediency.
As for BR’’s role for framing the Indian Constitution,it is grossly overrated.But it is “politically not correct” these days,to say so.Hippocrates’’s are all.And the biggest among them is the “Media”.
For a detailed study do read what Aroon Shorie thinks about him.
Well written.
I share some of you”re concerns.
1.If you mean,that politics should be kept away from IITs,IIMs,Mang. schools etc.I go further in the support of your argument that politics should be divorced from education.All levels.But will it ever be possible,I am afraid Never.Only the color and context may change but political influence never.
2.Balance of power:The society can not be static.It has its own dynamics,being an Engr.you know it better.What we see as a conflict,is what I see as a churning.Just like the Pournaik Samundra Manthan.There will be poison and nectar too.My only worry is we don”t have a Shiv to rescue us by consuming poison once again so this poison shall stay and will stay for long.On optimistic side the nectar will also stay.
It’’s just politics and attempt to appease ALL so that they get ALL the votes…! IIT B would be better with statues of eminent scientists…Actually there is no wrong place to remember our freedom fighters…but thanks to our polititians who have divided the freedom fighters on caste basis and claim their exclusive rights! Atleast scientists have been spared of that ordeal ….we dont (yet) have a forward caste scientist or a dalit scientist (touch wood!)
I read ur post on my rediff mail and I liked the flow. I felt the ”balance of power” was getting a way theoretical (btw, that needs a great talent to compose). As for the issues of Shivaji and BR, I feel that it is futile to find logic in Bharatland. Ideally, IIT B should have had the statue of someone who can inspire the wads: Einstein, Newton (I get goose pimples even as I key in) or if you want native have CV Raman, Bose etc.
Hi Rahul
I think People like Chatrapati Shivaji Raje & Bharat Ratna Dr. BR Ambedkar Always inspire me (especially people of Maharashtra) their statue located in park, Chowk, institute or any appropriate place that gives inspiration to me.
Thanks.