Reservations.

Reservation to various categories of people, in securing jobs, has resulted in almost no availability of opportunities for those of the upper castes. What wrong did they commit to be born in such families? In fact they must be ruing the day they were born into one. The problem has been made worse when the political parties used the reserved categories of people - on the basis of caste, creed and religion - as their vote bank.

One thought that all the permutations and combinations of the 'caste manthan' were over but it's far from the reality. Just see the new set of categories agitating for reservations.

 (a) Marathas of Maharashtra.

       Nearly 32 to 40% of the state's population. They include 'Kunbi' or peasant class.That the Kunbis

       have quota within the OBC category, notwithstanding. They demand quota for themselves in 

       educational institutions and government jobs.

 (b) Jats of Haryana.

       Nearly 29% of the state's population. They are the influential Jat community carrying out 

       farming activity. They demand quota in the OBC category for government jobs and educational

       institutions.

 (c) Patidars of Gujarat.

       Nearly 12 to 14% of the state's population and are a prominent trading community. They

       demand quota in the OBC category for government jobs and educational institutions.

 (d) Gujjars of Rajasthan.

       Nearly 7% of the state's population. They are a pastoral agricultural ethnic group and they

       demand 5% quota in government jobs and educational institutions.

 (e) Kapus of Andhra.

       Nearly 26% of the state's population. They are the farming community in the coastal belt and

       demand 5% quota, under Backward Class, in government jobs and educational institutions.

Reservation by the Centre.

        Total               49.5%

                  (i) SC    15 %

                 (ii) ST      7.5%

                (iii) OBC 27  %

        The Supreme Court had capped quotas in government jobs at 50% in '92. In 2010 it said 

        that states may exceed the limit if it was justified. Tamilnadu(69%) and Maharashtra(52%)

        have breached the ceiling.

My take.

The government must take a strong stand on not allowing any more reservations without worrying about the vote bank.

Tailpiece.

Calls from friends and well wishers regarding us against the backdrop of the flooding caused by unprecedented rain kept pouring all through the day. I felt nice about the concern shown. Thanks all of you for your love and affection!