Dinesh Kamath's Editorial (More scope for brain drain?) that was published in Newsband

More scope for brain drain?

To mark the occasion of 'Russia Day', which is the national day of the Russian Federation last month, universities in the country have officially announced admission procedures and scholarship quotas for meritorious Indian students in both medical and engineering courses. If prospective Indian medical students cannot get a seat in their own country, the Russian government presents a unique opportunity for these aspirants to seek admission to the MBBS and post-graduate medical courses in Russian universities.

It is reported that thousands of students from all over India successfully graduate from premier universities in Russia each year and over the last 15-20 years in particular, the number of international students coming to the Russian Federation has risen by leaps and bounds.

For ensuring safety and transparency, the Consulate General of the Russian Federation in India has recognised 'EDURUSSIA' as the authorised admission department of the Russian state and government universities in India and apart from being the authorised information and admission centre, EDURUSSIA also functions as the office of the International Students Department of Russian government universities in India.

Eligibility for admission to the medical courses as per the rules of the Medical Council of India is a 50 per cent aggregate in Physics, Chemistry and Biology at the Class XII Higher Secondary (10+2) level in case of the general category while the requirement for the reserved category student  is 40 percent.

 While the fees for an MBBS course in the Russian Federation would cost about the same as that in India, the crucial difference is that there are no donation/capitation fees in Russia and hence such a course (known internationally as M.D. Physician) would involve a total outgoing of approximately Rs. 12-15 lakhs inclusive of everything such as course fees, accommodation, travel and medical insurance. An Indian student desiring to pursue MBBS degree abroad has to collect an 'eligibility certificate' from the Medical Council of India and needs to complete his MBBS course only from a university recognized by the Indian Embassy located in the destination country. And if a student wishes to return and practise in India, he or she would be required to pass qualifying test known as a screening test. This is a universal rule applicable to all students.

At least over the last 15 years more girls than boys have been enlisting for courses like the MBBS and BDS and post-graduate courses in the Russian Federation. It is a safe and secure environment for students and the living standards there are comparable to the best in Europe.  The advantages of doing an MBBS course in Russia are many and include a huge infrastructure with world class laboratories, libraries, study-rooms, playgrounds and recreational facilities, personalized attention with only 8-12 students per class and a globally practised style of teaching with year-round tests. Indeed, Russia is a tried and tested destination for an Indian student as far as higher medical education is concerned he adds.

Now what is the opinion of the people who complain about brain drain? Hasn’t Russia’s invitation to Indian students to join their universities increased the scope for brain drain?

Dinesh Kamath's Editorial (Constructive opposition needed) that was published in Newsband

Constructive opposition needed

There are times when politicians simply have to stand up and do the right thing. And there are times when it is also the role of the press to hold them to it. Today is one of those times when the media should back electoral and political reform. That is why the right thing to do for members of parliament from both ruling and opposition parties is to support the government's reform plans.

The MPs in India regard themselves as reformer and they are all elected on manifestos committed to reform. They must recognize a lifetime opportunity when they are given one. They should put reform above the partisan squabbling which impresses no one. MPs on all sides need to lift their sights. They need to have a sense of history. And they need to be aware that they are being watched and judged not just by the living public but by the ghosts of the reformers who went before, and in whose footsteps they are privileged to tread.

The question today is much clearer than too many politicians seem to pretend. It is whether India can at last move decisively towards democratic law-making. It is about putting the people firmly in charge of their own politics. That is a noble cause, even in a time of economic preoccupation. It ought to be something which all parties can support.

The bills which are faulty will certainly need to be amended and compromises made. The imbalances in the society should be removed. And this idea no one who considers themselves a democrat should oppose. This is what our past generations have striven to achieve.

The opposition parties should not resort to outright opposition to good programs chalked out by the ruling party. If they oppose everything that the ruling party does then it is like deceiving the people of India. It would be like utilizing a tactic masquerading as a principle. If the programme motion is a reasonable one, why should there be opposition to it from any quarters? Opposition should not be for the sake of the opposition. Opposition should be constructive, and all destructive oppositions should be avoided for the best of the entire Indian population. There should be proper talking between the parties. A compromise has to be struck somewhere. If the opposition parties cannot get themselves to behave responsibly, then they are not being true to their history as parties of reform.

Only the existence of a responsible ruling party and constructive opposition in the parliament can make our country progress rapidly.

Dinesh Kamath's Editorial (Proper healthcare centres badly needed) that was published in Newsband

Proper healthcare centres badly needed

Going to the doctor is the great Indian nightmare. Are healthcare arrangements in Mumbai and Navi Mumbai upto our satisfaction? The answer is ‘No’.

The Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation had ordered the closure of a private hospital since it was admitting more patients than its allotted bed-strength. Before taking this step the corporation didn’t care to think as to what happens to the patients who may be on life-support.

We find that a Civic Hospital, run by the state government, has lesser beds than its sanctioned strength. Patients spill over on to the floor. The place literally stinks, bed sheets don’t go to the laundry often enough, the plates on which daily diet is served often remains with the patient for over half a day, putrefied and smelling.

There are many charitable hospitals which are run as corporate businesses, built on lands provided by the state government or the civic body with the stipulation that 10 percent of the patients treated are poor and for free or at concessional rates. The government has never been able to enforce this contractual obligation of the hospital.

You may or may not get cured in these hospitals but you lose a lot of money.

There are private hospitals which in the guise of charities, and with a tag ‘Research Centre’ to its name, avail of benefits that government provides such hospitals. Such hospitals come into existence due to the inability or unwillingness of the public sector to provide a decent – forget the best – healthcare to the public, especially the poor who often find even the out of pocket expenses towards their treatment a huge burden.

In Navi Mumbai, we find a hospital built for the city’s citizens by the civic body which is later handed over to a private operator. The commitment of the city towards its public just vanishes. Civic hospitals are decidedly cheaper than a private hospital. But the entry of corporate players spoils the whole show.

Any civic government has big responsibilities. This body should not indulge in double standards and wink at shortcomings. This attitude proves to be harmful to public in general. Today, the government hospitals aided by the private sector healthcare providers, the over-billing and excessive dependence on defensive medicine has made seeking medical help a gamble in itself. You may or may not get cured but you lose a lot of money. In our city, something drastic needs to be done in the matter of healthcare and that too very soon.

Video: Dinesh Kamath speaks about how he became a good speaker

Video: Dinesh Kamath speaks about two more novelists whom he did not mention in the video below

Video: Dinesh Kamath speaks about the popular writers and cartoonists who influenced him to be a writer and cartoonist

Video: Dinesh Kamath speaks about the writers he forgot to mention in the previous video