THE VAULT

India introduced reservation as an instrument of social justice—to give historically disadvantaged communities access to education, employment and representation, and ultimately enable them to become equal participants in national development. That objective remains valid. But after decades of implementation, India must ask a fundamental question: Are we building capability, or merely perpetuating dependence on reservation? My answer is that the policy needs fundamental reform. 1. Give the disadvantaged the best education—not a lower standard If a child from a weaker section enters a good institution through reservation, that child deserves the best teacher, the best infrastructure and the best academic support. We should not compromise the quality of teachers appointed to educate disadvantaged students. Teacher selection should therefore be based on a common, rigorous competency standard, irrespective of caste or category. Subject knowledge, teaching ability and professional competenc...

There is a quiet moment in everyone’s life when we begin to realise that we do not know as much as we once thought we did. Perhaps it comes after a failure. Perhaps after losing someone we love. Perhaps after meeting a person who knows something we never imagined. Or perhaps simply with age. And in that moment, an important truth begins to emerge: The real enemy of learning is not ignorance. It is ego. Ego says, “I know.” Wisdom quietly asks, “What can I learn?” When we are young, we are naturally curious. We ask questions about everything. We want to understand the world. But somewhere along the journey, knowledge turns into certainty. We stop asking questions. We become uncomfortable admitting that we do not know. We begin defending our opinions instead of examining them. And slowly, without realising it, we stop learning. But life has a beautiful way of reminding us that nobody knows everything. A child can teach an adult patience. A young colleague can teach an experi...

Every generation looks for heroes. Some are celebrated for their wealth. Some for their power. Some for the headlines they create. But a few rare individuals leave behind something far more valuable—a way of living that continues to inspire long after they are gone. J.R.D. Tata was one of those rare souls. Close your eyes for a moment and imagine a young India, still finding its feet after Independence. The country needed industries, jobs, confidence and hope. It needed people who could dream beyond themselves. While many saw business as a means to make money, J.R.D. Tata saw it as a responsibility to build a nation. That single difference made him extraordinary. He was not known for loud speeches or dramatic displays of authority. He believed that leadership was earned quietly—through honesty, hard work and respect for every individual, regardless of their position. There is something deeply moving about people who remain humble despite having every reason not to be. J.R.D. Ta...