Your dreams have just transformed into reality.The MIT School of Government was established in Sep 2005 at Pune in the lines of other Schools of Government across the world. I passed out from the first batch.What the school needs is people like you who would enroll in it to make a difference to the nation. After undergoing the course I now understand that is easy to be a mute spectator outside and pass comments. What our country needs today is “action” from the youth. People crib about everything but are not ready to take a small step for change.” Be the change you want to see in this world”. Make the best use of what ever is available , learn about how the government works first before giving out your valuable comments!!!95% of people are ignorant of how the system works.They don’t know Constitution, Fundamental Rights and Duties but expect to get the best deal from the government and blame the system for all their miseries.But what have you contributed to make a change? A democracy can be called a democracy only if it is participatory. Unless you know how do you expect to rectify things?One needs strong desire, determination and courage to change oneself first and then try to change things around. I suggest educated bloggers enroll in this school (as this is the only one at present)and understand the structure of government and work towards a change in the system than mere lip service.It is always easy to air ones views and grievances but personally what action does one take? The government is not meant to be treated as an “outsider” who will solve all our problems. It consists of us citizens who are part of the system to help mould it and bring in the necessary change.Unless good quality people enroll in this course and strive for change , it would just be mere wishful thinking even if such institutes are established.Think about it.

Gandhi, Nehru and Ambedkar were great leaders, who led the country through times when we needed them. But did they make sound policies that have pushed the country onto progress? Highly arguable.

No, IIPs don’t need to be institutes of inbreeding. They are not universities where one studies full time, but mainly a place where you get additional training. Training that can be facilitated not just by faculty, but by healthy debate, new ideas fuelled by visiting faculty, prominent members of the public etc. In fact, the ideal institute would have a very lean structure with just a few core academics and then many program planners who can put together educational programs based on visiting faculty.

And knowing history doesn’t mean you repeat them. It is only by understanding the mistakes of the past that you prevent yourself from repeating them. That is why they should learn about past policies and outcomes.

Convinced? :-)

It is wrong to say that politicians do not get trained. As someone said “Life is the best teacher you can have”. But, I guess when life decides to teach you a lesson you must have already screwed up big-time and for a power yielding politician this would translate to wide range of side effects.

But questions remain

- would great politicians like Gandhi, Nehru, Ambedkar been successful at this institute?

- institutes are by nature a place where inbreeding of idea happen. Do you want all your consecutive finance ministers or defense ministers to follow the same, old and unsuccessful policies?