Tanvi had set her heart on medicine. A conscientious student, she scored well in school. She took a year off to prepare for entrance examinations. While others her age were having fun, she sat through special classes. India denied her a seat. But many aspirants, way down in the list, did make it. She was not even aware they belonged to a ‘backward category’. Their parents were high-ranking bureaucrats and politicians. She lost a year but, worse, also her belief in hard work. She learnt that India sacrifices merit. Embittered at the age of 18, she sought admission to a BA course.

While still in school, Anita volunteered to teach at a neighbouring school for disadvantaged children. In college she spent time with an NGO working for women in mental trauma. She entered an international competition and her entry got selected. At 19, she had the distinction of being published in a leading international medical journal. She coordinated the women’s development cell of her college and got interested in development studies. She applied to two prominent British universities and a leading Indian institute offering courses in development studies. The British universities gave her admission. But her parents couldn’t afford the fees. The Indian institute rejected her. Disheartened, she entered another stream. India has lost a caring individual who wished to work in development.

Where do we go from here? Are we going to let our talent get wasted like this? Are we going to let our politicians lead us this way? India needs to nurture its young, socially committed youngsters. And it needs to do so very badly.