Future of Keralites at stake

The presence of Keralite students in the leading Universities outside Kerala have increased in the recent years with people from even the backward classes and communities getting enrolled for higher studies after school.

The principal universities like All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS), Jawaharlal Nehru University, Delhi University, English and Foreign Languages University (EFLU), Hyderabad and Aligarh Muslim University all have Keralites as a major percentage of the students. The increase in the number of students from the state opting for Degree, Post Graduate courses and research purposes in these Universities shows a hike in the interest for higher studies. But several incidents have led to believe that the presence of Keralites irks the North Indian authorities. The cancellation of the MBBS and BDS entrance exams at the Aligarh Muslim University is an instance. The University authorities cancelled the exams for the year 2015-16 held on April 26 citing irregularities in the exams. A large number of candidates who attempted exams from Feroke college centre in Kozhikode got selected and this had given rise to the suspicion of mass copying. The North Indian lobby was reportedly behind the move.

Earlier students opted for higher studies like PG and research purposes outside Kerala. But now, they seek admission for Degree courses as well in the leading Universities outside the state. There are numerous Keralites doing courses in their preferred subjects in Delhi. Recently, reports of Malayali students having trouble in getting admission to the Universities for not submitting their original Plus Two certificates, are also finding place in the newspapers. The future of these students is at stake only due to the difficulty in submitting their certificates. The sloppiness of the state authorities in issuing the certificates on time is to be blamed. These moves crumble the confidence of the students who seek higher education in the largest institutions in the country. The state government should provide the necessary support and encouragement to the students who opt for higher education outside the state and not follow steps that would benefit the North Indian lobby.