24 June 2024 : Indian Express Editorial Analysis

1. WHY EXAM SCAMS HAPPEN

(Source: Indian Express; Section: The Editorial Page; Page: 08)

The Systemic Inadequacy of Opportunities:

• Despite India being celebrated as the fifth-largest economy, the systems in place are inadequate to meet the aspirations of its youth.
• The real scam lies in linking this inadequate supply to the dubious categorization of “merit,” which excludes all but a minuscule minority.
• This issue spans across sectors, from education to employment, highlighting a systemic failure to provide sufficient opportunities.

The Perpetuation of a Narrow Definition of Success:

• The problem is not just a legacy issue but a current crisis exacerbated by indifference towards engaging youth productively.
• Instead of addressing limited opportunities, society has elevated aspirations without providing equal chances for success and social status.
• The celebration of a few exceptional successes as national pride masks the broader issue and sets unrealistic standards for the majority.

The Impact of Limited Opportunities and the Myth of Merit:

• Our education system and job markets fail to provide sufficient avenues for legitimate success, leading to the propagation of “merit” as a narrow criterion.
• Celebrating the few who succeed or buck the system fosters discontent among the many who struggle to secure basic formal employment.
• This restriction of success to a minority breeds a deep sense of injustice and hopelessness among the youth.

The Mismatch Between Aspirations and Reality:

• The vast mismatch between the aspirations of India’s youth and the limited opportunities available creates a significant problem.
• Current solutions lack the necessary bipartisan, nationwide approach.
• Celebrating isolated examples of excellence without making such opportunities widely available only exacerbates the issue.

A Multi-Pronged Approach to Address the Crisis:

• Addressing this crisis requires a multi-pronged approach. Responsible political leaders must rise above partisan divides to recognize the problem’s scale and develop institutional and societal responses.
• This will require a massive infusion of public funds to expand quality education infrastructure and opportunities.
• Additionally, there must be a shift in attitudes towards the working class, fostering social solidarity.

The Role of India’s Elite and Leadership:

• India’s elite must go beyond self-satisfaction and contribute to expanding opportunities for less advantaged youth.
• A decisive, sustained mission led by the highest leadership can instill hope and validate the aspirations of India’s youth.
• Cancelling exams and prosecuting a few individuals only dodges accountability and increases disillusionment among the youth.

Conclusion:

• To address the root causes of the current crisis, there must be a nationwide, bipartisan effort to expand quality educational and employment opportunities.
• Only through a collective and sustained approach can the aspirations of India’s youth be truly realized, moving beyond narrow definitions of merit and success.

2. CEMENTING TIES

(Source: Indian Express; Section: The Editorial Page; Page: 08)

Intensified Engagement:

• The frequency of high-level meetings underscores the intensity of this engagement.
• Sheikh Hasina’s presence in Delhi for Modi’s swearing-in ceremony, followed by their subsequent meetings, highlights the commitment to enhancing bilateral relations.
• The two leaders’ dedication has resulted in what is celebrated as a “golden chapter” in the history of India-Bangladesh relations.
• Their shared vision aims to elevate this relationship into a “transformational partnership.”

Focus on Connectivity and Trade:

• A significant focus of the bilateral agenda is on improving connectivity. This includes easing visa procedures, promoting freer movement of goods, facilitating cross-border energy and electricity flows, and building digital bridges.
• Bangladesh has emerged as one of India’s most important trade partners, prompting the initiation of negotiations for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).
• Enhancing trade across India’s longest frontier with Bangladesh, the second-largest economy in the Subcontinent, is crucial, especially amidst global trading challenges.
• The strengthening of economic ties not only supports sub-regional integration in the eastern Subcontinent but also in the Bay of Bengal littoral and the eastern Indian Ocean.

Modernizing Defense Cooperation:

• Beyond commerce and connectivity, Hasina and Modi have ambitious plans to modernize the bilateral defense relationship, which has lagged behind.
• This modernization will involve extensive collaboration between the armed forces, defense industrial partnerships, and India’s support for modernizing Bangladesh’s armed forces.
• A robust defense partnership will contribute to maintaining stability in the Indo-Pacific region, enhancing disaster mitigation efforts, and building resilient infrastructure.
• Furthermore, expanded regional and international collaboration between Delhi and Dhaka will support the collective interests of the Global South.

Overcoming Historical Legacies:

• The past decade has seen significant progress in overcoming the bitter legacies of Partition in the eastern subcontinent.
• While challenges such as river water management remain, the shared vision articulated by Hasina and Modi raises hopes for realizing the full potential of the bilateral relationship.
• Their leadership has paved the way for a more prosperous and stable South Asia, highlighting the importance of continued cooperation and mutual development.