Do we need more IIMs ?

PM has huge passion for inauguration and foundation stones laying ceremonies. He laid the stone of permanent campus of IIM Sambalpur, Odisha on Jan 2. Then, in quick succession, GAIL’s much-delayed Kochi-Mangaluru natural gas pipeline project was inaugurated on Jan 4, 2021.

Fair enough. But, trumpeting achievements through long speeches is like addressing  a political rally. Public apathy. I do not blame  PM Modi ,but,his chatukaars.These  insidious enemies  include his ghost speech writers who takes pride in producing long speeches. More quantitative than qualitative.

I have always stood against PM’s detractors who have failed to advise him appropriately. Modi is irreplaceable.  As his fan , I consider it my duty  to be upfront.

Reverting to PM’s speech at IIM Sambhalpur, one is not sure  whether PM had the clear idea of what the Management schools are supposed to teach? What did he want to convey by his favourite expression : “ Innovation, integrity and inclusive ?” Are these subjects taught in IIMs? Or, was it just a south indian Saambhar-like phraseology that can be used on any occasions : political, scientific or religious.Why is PM fond of giving a stick to the wayward Opposition to beat his party with?

Does the country need more management schools? Absolutely not. For most  management aspirants , the objective of  getting  management  diploma or degree  from low grade schools, is not enterprise but a good job with attractive salary. A vast majority of them do not get anything like that because of poor quality of intake and worse, teaching. The bitter truth is that the top management schools admit only the best students with exceptional academic records. Here is a revelation based on my decade long experience as a Mentor for  civil services aspirants. My long experience holding  a critical position in UPSC at senior level ,comes in handy.

Of late, the management aspirants are not getting attracted to new IIMs.The latest  trend is that  even managers  trained in top IIMs are now keen to join the  Civil Services  after appearing in  UPSC civil services examination.

The little known fact is   that students ,no longer, wish to complete  in the admission process for IIMs like Vizag, Bodh Gaya, Nagpur or Sambhalpur. The new IIMs are being mentored by old IIMs which are known by their alumni rather than competent faculties.The private management schools are money-making machines. Poor infrastructures and incompetent faculties.

All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) as the  national-level Apex Advisory Body under Min of HRD ,is mandated  to conduct  surveys of facilities available for technical education and  promote development. A big farce. A den of corruption. No recognitions / No clean chits  without  money power.

Same opinion  is held  by me for opening new medical  colleges across the country. Bribes running  into crores of rupees. PM may  hold a judicial  and transparent enquiry. How teams of  fake teachers and  medical doctors  are created with hired buildings infrastructures for getting NOC for opening  private managements institutes and universities . Congress-led UPA and its supremo, were specialists in games of corruption.

Flawed recruitment models  continue to produce accidental  bureaucrats. Too many  job seekers in the country.

 Game-changing reforms are needed to grapple with India’s increasing responsibilities and bring about  Good governance, PM’s favourite dream,still remains a far cry.

A K Saxena (A former civil servant)