Date:10/08/2002 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2002/08/10/stories/2002081007091003.htm

Opinion - Letters to the Editor

Deserving of quotas

Sir, — This is in agreement with Pankaj Sardana's letter, `Quota for disadvantaged' (July 29). Since independence, we have seen many kinds of quotas being incorporated every other day. Basically, quotas aim at the uplift of the neglected and needy sections of the society, but the rustic people living in remote villages who really need these quotas, are quite oblivious of such provisions.

Isn't it important to review and retrospect whether these quotas really make any difference? On the contrary, reservations are hitting the `general' category people harder. What we really need is financial support from the Government, awareness, education at the grass-roots level, scholarships and sponsorships from private organisations for destitute students and, most importantly open competition. There should be no quotas except for the physically disadvantaged.

Reema Sahay,

Chennai