Aarakshan is the movie that the private sector in India should watch this year. It is different from any other big budget movies and it handles a sensitive issue, i.e. the quota system in the education system. Even though the movies focus on education, it is not the education institutions alone that is affected, but the corporate as well.

An issue that is faced by two largest democracies

It is not just India, the world’s largest democracy that faces the issue of uplifting the status of the long suppressed minority. US considered as the second largest democracy in the world too faces the same issue. To blow out inequality, governments in both the countries have introduced programmes that are intended to help the underprivileged. In the US, the government went for affirmative action, while in India the government for a similar action, the reservations. Even though similar, there was a difference that is in the US the programmes were adopted in educational institutions and in corporate. While in India, it is applicable in education institutions as well.

The Movie

The movie Aarakshan portrays the frustration of a Brahmin student who is not able to go to the institution of his choice as a result of the quota system. In a discussion with his friend, he confronts a question that why the particular sect he belongs to should be punished for going by the rules even after studying and working hard. The discussion continues with the friend saying that if the underprivileged wants to get into colleges and universities they should work hard. In the movie, the role played by Saif Ali Khan retorts to this comment and asks him who he is to tell him about hard work. Saif says that they have worked in fields owned by the privileged class, built them houses, washed their clothes, cleaned their houses and toilets. He tells them not teach him what hard work is as they have been doing it for years. Even in the US these are the words that one can hear from an underprivileged.

The differences between India and the US

The similarity with the situations ends there. In India, the quota system has never been into the private sector, unlike the US. In the US, most if the fortune 500 companies pursue strong affirmative action programmes, where as in India such programmes do not exist in the private sector companies. Private companies cannot be happy with that; it is just a matter of time.

Corporations want less intervention from government

Proposals to introduce reservations for the underprivileged in private companies in India were made, but were rejected. The India companies do not want interference from the part of the government. Many of the leading companies have made it clear that they are looking for opportunities to shift their operations abroad as a result of frustration with increased interference and other policies from the government.

The condition of the underprivileged remains the same in India and the US

The condition of US corporations is similar to that of the Indian corporations. In the Indian corporate sector, there are underprivileged minorities working with them. The worst fact is that this under represented minority is a part of the large number of office boys, canteen workers, drivers, cleaning staff etc. The situation in the US is similar where the African Americans are made to do similar kind of works.

Efforts by US companies

In the US many of the corporations have taken the lead and have put in effort to recruit, train and employ minorities. Even though many of them would argue that it is not enough, well it is good start. It is in every sense a model that India corporations can follow.

Indian corporations should follow the US example

Indian companies need to adopt a proactive policy of affirmative action as in the case of companies in the US. There is no doubt that business people in India care. We have many people around us who are concerned about the welfare of the underprivileged or the society in general. There are individuals who pay for the education of children of the servants and drivers who have worked with them. There are others who are devoted to helping non governmental organizations expand or have done similar activities.

The Indian corporations are far from being interested in the matter of affirmative action. Pursuing affirmative action will be in the best interest of the society. Individuals and corporations do not live in an isolated environment. Corporations will grow stronger when it has a strong workforce that represents the population of a country. This will help in developing a belief in the minds of the people that they have chances to the best jobs at the best companies of their choice. In the movie, according Saif Ali Khan, the underprivileged is asking only for a chance. So it is the responsibility of the Indian corporations to make sure that every qualified individual has a chance to secure a job and succeed in the corporate world.

The topic of inclusive growth is a feast for different TV channels, political parties, coffee shops and more. The point we have to stress on is that talk should be put into action. In India, we have a government which introduces social schemes one after the other and there are merits attached to them. The government should take steps to prepare them to earn a living rather than feeding them everyday. There are many among the underprivileged who just need help and proper guidance to pursue better careers in the corporate world. The need for reservations comes into play when the underprivileged do not believe that they can earn a position in the corporate world. The Indian companies are now capable of letting a hand to the underprivileged and can bring about improvement even without the intervention of the government. Inclusive growth is the main objective of the Indian government, be it any political party. What is required is the active participation of the Indian corporations.