- I Paid A Bribe
- 13 years ago
- 5270 views
University of Mumbai scam
- Education
- Admission to College
- Paid INR 10,000
First of all I am really surprised that the education sector is not in the list of departments listed by default in this webpage. Indian education system is one of the largest and most corrupt systems controlled by the state. Let me get into the incident right away.It happened long time ago in 2004. I was student of an engineering college affiliated with University of Mumbai. A lot of smart students end up getting a
drop(failing grade due to which a student skips one year of college and tries to clear all his previous failed exams) purely due to lack of interest in the subject. So happened to one of my good friend who was admitted into engineering as a NRI(he actually was one at that time). He got a drop in 2003 and passed all his backlogs and he was ready with determination and open mind to further continue his education in 2004.Since he had a drop he had to further continue his education with my junior batch. Unfortunately thanks to the principal and trustees of our college that they discontinued the branch in engineering(or rather say changed electornics major to electronics and telecomm major). The only option for my friend was to change his college to join a junior batch in
another college where electronics major was offered. I believe
it was the responsibility of our college principal to ensure that he is continues his education smoothly. It was almost 1/4th semester past after one year of drop, my friend was still without a college not knowing where does he stand. I
suggested to him that we approach the then vice chancellor(VC) directly of University of Mumbai to explain his plight. Initially we did try to work things out by talking to people at a lower level but nothing in vain. My friend enters his office to be shocked to listen from the Vice Chancellor Who asked you to fail?? Here is a student who has got admitted to engineering straight(without a bribe), has been paying his fees and after repeated failures has come out with hope and expectation that he would successfully complete his engineering degree. He was thrown out of the VCs office in matter of seconds. Now wondering what to do, we approached his PA to ask if we could get an appointment or if there is a better time to ********** him or what could be done.She said " You need to gift the VC and me and we would admit you to an 'A' graded college affiliated to Mumbai University". Here I would like to mention that the then VC was a Dr(PhD in Economics). I dont think my friend was left with any option after months of frustration and failures he wanted to get back to school as soon as possible and finish his graduation and build a career. So we agreed to bribe the VC and his PA. As I mentioned before, my friend was NRI and since he had 2 years to complete his degree(effectively he had to pay 4 lacs more for his education). The PA came out with another deal which would benefit both the parties. A normal non NRI seat was 50K/annum. She said his NRI seat would be converted into a normal seat in another 'A' grade college which would save him 3 lacs as net. Out of that 1 lac goes as bribe and 2 lac my friend could save from his pocket.Wow!!!! what a deal.
Finally my friend ended up paying 10K and got a NRI seat in another 'A' grade college. We could have agreed on the deal but that would be buying education
and I believe with knowledge if there is no character then its all a waste just like it was for a Dr V.C. Conclude with what someone once said " When wealth
is lost, nothing is lost, when health is lost, something is lost and when character is lost, everything is lost
Thanks for giving an opportunity to write this story.