Against reservation system in India

The recent proposal by HRD minister Arjun Singh to introduce 27.5 per cent reservation for OBC in centrally funded educational institutes, including IITs and IIMs will take India back from where she is today. The educational institutes are the backbone of Indias economy. These institutes have enabled us to reach where we are now.
Everyone understands the need for all sections of the Indian society to get an opportunity to be part of this vibrant economy. But reservation based on caste and community is not an answer to this. These policies have been here for the last 50 years and it has not met its objectives to the extend it should have.
If the Government sincerely cares for these people and for the country it should evaluate what the real reason for the failure is and correct it. Currently in India no institute discriminates any student based on their caste or religion during admission. However many students dont make it to the institutes because of the economic reasons. Also many students who come from economically weaker sections but do not fall in the reservation criteria do not get a fair opportunity too. To make things right and to make a difference to those who really deserves it these are some suggestions.
1. Make education mandatory and free for all till the age of 15.
2. Propose reservation based on economic status.
3. Provide opportunity for students to earn while they study
We understand that this will be a bold move but at the same time we hope that this Government will stand up for the people of India and not be tied down by petty politics.