Lucrative options galore for students, politicians

When I had reached Allahabad (now Prayagraj) to pursue B.Sc from the University of Allahabad, the choice of subjects was extremely limited. It was mandatory to take chemistry along with Zoology and Botany. I did not like chemistry, yet I had to drag this subject. Even after that, the BSc-Biology degree had no advantage in the job market. Due to this the chance for getting a direct job was also very sleek. Looks like I wasted those three precious years of my life. Neither did we get any specific knowledge, nor employment. But today the scene is different. Hundreds of options and avenues are open to the current students to study and after that there are also lucrative job opportunities. Even if the pandemic affected two years of the students or say their studies could not be done properly, there is good news for them. The University Grants Commission (UGC) is considering a new way out. UGC is framing disruptive rules for the 2022-23 session under which students will be allowed to pursue two degree courses simultaneously. This facility was not available till now.

After the new rules are notified, two different degree courses can be done simultaneously from the same university or from two different universities, and both will have absolute recognition. If the students want, while pursuing a degree course from India, they can do a second degree course, online or through any other medium, from a foreign university. In this way the time of the students will be saved. UGC is also going to interconnect all the universities of the country, so that the students will be able to continue their half studies from one university and the other half from any other university. It is said that the option of politics remains open for those who have no scope in any other field. This is a career in which there is no age restriction, nor is there any demand for education. Just spare some time everyday to a party or leader, gradually you will find a place for yourself. There is no need to try for a big role, it is enough to become an MLA to become rich and powerful.

In almost all the states of the country, politicians get a hefty salary, tons of allowances and free facilities for five years as an MLA and later get a pension for life. On becoming MLA for the second or third time, the amount of pension doubles and triples. This free earning continues throughout life. According to the information published in newspapers through an RTI, it has been learned that former Haryana MLA Captain Ajay Yadav is getting the maximum pension of Rs 2.38 lakh per month. The pension of 18 other leaders of the state is more than 1.5 lakh rupees. Haryana government spends Rs 29 crore every year on the family pension of 275 ex-MLAs and dependents of 128 ex-MLAs. This is how public money is wasted. The highest family pension of Rs 99,619 is being given per month to the wife of former CM Bhajan Lal. In Himachal Pradesh, a former MLA gets Rs 82,000 as pension and on becoming an MLA again, Rs 2,000 gets added. Overall, money and power keep raining in politics!

(Writer is a senior journalist & columnist)