Whispers Forum

It is a matter requiring sober thought that reservations in education and public services are now in excess of 60% (in addition, reservations in politics are at 22.5% for SC/ST and also for OBCs in local self government institutions). No society that places no emphasis on merit can survive, what to say of growing. Reservations began for SC/STs for 10 years capped at 22.5%. There was a caveat then, that efficiency of administration should not be imperilled. Today, with the country awash in reservations without any time limit, and each political party willing to increase it both in proportion and prolong it to perpetuity, after 78 years of independence, whatever has happened to efficiency of administration? Everyone agrees that administrative efficiency has declined over the years and decades. In the rat race to give more and more reservations, education and governance have been given the short shrift. How can a country where caste determines career become a developed country? Once India became independent and the Constitution came into force, equality was mandated. A helping hand to the deprived has become a depriving hand today. At this rate, can we ever compete with China and the rest of the world? Instead of world class, we are becoming less and less competitive every day. If merit and hard work are relegated behind caste, what future do we have as a country? The time has come to think of phasing out reservations. Those who have availed of the benefit once, they should not get the benefit again. Why should someone get the benefit of becoming a doctor through reservations and then go on to join the IAS through quota? Those who have got the benefit, their children should not get the benefit. This will broad base reservations and benefit more and more candidates also.
Vijay Kumar

The appellant sought information about the SC and ST Professors currently employed at IIM Ranchi, the vacancy position, the special recruitment drives etc. which did not result into any response from the PIO. The Respondent submitted that the RTI application was forwarded to Mr. Amit Kumar, (HR), subsequently, reminders were also sent but no response had been received from him. Upon receipt of hearing notice, the information was collected from the concerned office and uploaded on the Commission’s weblink. The CIC noted that the respondent has not responded to the RTI application in spite of over 1½ years having elapsed. The reply uploaded on Commission’s web portal has not provided to the appellant. The CIC noted that the PIO has not been made any efforts to furnish a response to the appellant even upon receipt of hearing notice and he failed to explain the cogent reasons for the same. The CIC issued a Show-cause notice to PIO, Mr. Rajasekhar David, Assistant Professor, as to why action under Section 20(1) of the RTI Act should not be initiated against him for not responding to the RTI application within stipulated time.
Comments
It is disquieting that instances continue to arise where the CIC has no option but to issue show-cause notices to PIOs for neglecting to respond to RTI applications within the statutory timeframe, thereby inviting penal action under Section 20(1) of the RTI Act. If the case pertains to a premier management institute, one wonders whether it is a case of lack if awareness of the provisions of the RTI Act.
Citation: Raju Paswan v. Indian Institute of Management Ranchi, Second Appeal No. CIC/IIMRC/A/2024/643443; Date of Decision: 14.10.2025
Dr Anuradha Verma (dranuradhaverma@yahoo.co.in) is a RTI Consultant currently working with IIM Vishakhapatnam. She has co-authored the books PIO’s Guide to RTI and Right to Information – Law and Practice. Her weekly article is being published since 2008 on this site. She offers consultancy on RTI matters and third party audit to individuals / organisations. Her other articles can be read at the website of RTI Foundation at the link https://www.rtifoundationofindia.com

Longevity does not come from a single supplement, drug or hack, rather it is the cumulative effect of many small, consistent choices over time. It is not the diet, it is not the exercise and certainly it is not the genetics. The main factor behind a healthy heart, a healthy brain the entire healthy body and longevity is ‘No Chronic Stress’ rest everything else in the world is secondary. Even if you train daily, you eat healthy, you quit smoking but if you are under constant stress you will still age faster not just by your skin but also from the internal organs.
What does matter, according to the strongest evidence so far, is a combination of lifestyle fundamentals which includes regular physical activity, good sleep and stress management. Secondly, nutrition patterns, not a super food, but overall dietary quality, calorie balance and metabolic health. Thirdly avoiding major harms that is smoking, excess alcohol and chronic inactivity.
So, rule number one - do not engage into anything that is creating internal resistance. You hate your job but continue for money, minus the 15 years of life. You surround yourself with people who drain out your energy, minus the 10 years of life. Every single day living in the same toxic environment is going to age you at a considerable level. Rule number two - social connection matters more than material attachment. People who have strong social connection live longer up to fifty per cent and it is definitely not about having many friends or relations, it is about having meaningful ones. So even one person who allows you to be truly yourself can extend your life more than a diet. Rule number three - find a purpose bigger than yourself. People with a clear purpose live an average of seven years longer. And it does not have to be a big mission but a strong one because what matters is the feeling that I am here for a reason, I am needed. Rule number four - listen to your body otherwise one fine day your body will stop talking to you. Sleep when you feel sleepy, rest when you feel tired, and eat whenever you are hungry because healthier people do not punish themselves, they follow the rules but they follow the natural rhythm. It is a myth that one should have dinner by sunset and such others. Modern life teaches us to push through and rest for later but you know what, the body cannot actually endure it because it is not designed like that.
Chronic stress is actually not about work, money, success or fame or the achievements. In fact it is the biggest misconception. Chronic stress is about the inner conflict of who we are and what we want to be and what we actually pretend to be in front of others. So when we are not living with authenticity, when we are not living an honest life, the life that is truly ours, the body stays under survival mode non-stop. Cortisol destroys the blood vessels, immunity gets weaken and brain function gets damaged. So people who are actually living healthier and longer are not consuming some magic pill but because they choose to live in peace within themselves. Even the most promising longevity drugs being studied (like rapamycin or metformin) do not replace these basics, they only potentially layer on top of them and evidence in humans is still evolving.
Subbiah Sridhar