The Cost of a Shattered Dream
Dinesh works as a truck loader in Delhi. He earns his livelihood by loading and unloading goods from the truck, for a family of four. He belongs to Sant Kabir Nagar, Uttar Pradesh. A member of Dalit community, he came to Delhi leaving his identity and family behind. He could not afford to have his family live with him in Delhi due to the high cost of living. When we speak, he shares his pride about the achievements of his children.
I met him when I was moving from Delhi to Ghaziabad. From then onwards I have referred him to other friends for doing the same job in case they are shifting from one location to another.
He often calls me to ask how I am doing? One of these days he asked me to guide his elder son. He told me, ‘I want him to become Advocate’. Curious, I asked him the reason. He mentioned having observed lawyers in Delhi and idolized Dr. Ambedkar, he wanted his elder son to study law. Thereafter he asked me about my university where I have studied law. I asked him to send his son to speak to me which he did. I explained to him everything that could be explained about the national law schools/ colleges and their admission procedure. He was listening to the details patiently and noted all relevant information. I also explained about the fee and scholarship for Schedule Caste and Schedule Tribe Students. In addition to that I explained to him how his life can be transformed after studying law from a law college in India and how he can make a contribution to the society. His excitement about the possibilities was palpable after the conversation.
When CLAT (Common Law Entrance Test) was announced I contacted him and told him to fill the form. He assured me that he will fill the form, but eventually couldn’t because the entrance fee was Rs 3,500 and the same could not be arranged. He mentioned that he is now preparing for Group D posts and its entrance exam. After some time, I got to know that he has become a peon in one of the District Courts of Delhi, where he must have dreamt of becoming an advocate and practicing. I could not react. I didn’t know whether to express delight about the fact that he had a livelihood now and stood on his own feet or feel a sense of defeat on his behalf for his shattered dream.
I felt nudged to write this piece when I read a News Paper Article in Indian Express. Here I read about National Law Scholars Programme (NLSP). The said program is designed to support talented students from rural areas and other disadvantaged groups to secure admission in Leading law Colleges. It also aims at supporting them financially till the completion of their degree. However, the benefit of this programme is limited to those who are studying in Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya. It does not welcome students who are studying in other schools or are obtaining their education through the open school system. Despite its big limitation, much needs to be said to it’s credit. It stands as a light house amongst students from Navodaya vidyalayas especially those from weaker sections of society.
The dream to study at one of the National law Schools is still a far reality for those who belong to resource poor communities. For a person with a meagre income, the fee could be a third of their monthly income rendering the idea of even appearing for the entrance exam impossible to consider. All these students who secured an admission in prestigious law schools through NLSP, were from Navodaya Schools, where the entrance fee was Zero. That was an enabling mechanism to transform their lives while giving them a golden opportunity. However, charging a reasonable entrance fee will only be the first step and will not bring them at par with those students who are receiving CLAT entrance coaching class 9th or 11th onwards. The entire structure has evolved in a manner so as to cater to the elite, rich and middle class.
Charging a high entrance fee is an indication of the fact that these institutions are not accessible to students from resource poor communities. In most of the exams meant for administrative services the entrance fee is minimum or reasonably affordable. I think about people heading these institutions, most colleges are led by chancellors who are Chief Justices of their respective state. They cannot interfere in Budgetary or Financial Decisions, but they can always give informal suggestions.
These circumstances remind me of Mahatma Ganndhi’s Talisman.
“I will give you a talisman. Whenever you are in doubt, or when the self becomes too much with you, apply the following test. Recall the face of the poorest and the weakest man [woman] whom you may have seen, and ask yourself, if the step you contemplate is going to be of any use to him [her]. Will he [she] gain anything by it? Will it restore him [her] to a control over his [her] own life and destiny? In other words, will it lead to swaraj [freedom] for the hungry and spiritually starving millions? Then you will find your doubts and your self melt away.”