This Article is From Apr 06, 2009

School of polity: Want to be a neta?

Ranchi:
Want to be a politician but don't know how to go about it? Join Netagiri Vidyalaya.

Run by former Congressman Raj Ranjan, who believes "political thinking should be inculcated deep into human mind to curb corruption," the Netagiri Vidyalaya in Ranchi has imparted training to 200 aspiring politicians since its inception in 2001.

"It is important for a politician - both beginners and veterans to learn that bit of politics necessary to know what a manifesto is and its implementation," said Ranjan, a former PCC secretary.

A paltry Rs 50 is charged for admission and the 'students' are taught about <i>netagiri</i> every Saturday for two hours.

"It is surprising that a 69-year-old leader of a regional political party, Sukhdev Lohra, was among the 10 politicians to take admission this session," said Ranjan, brother of former Congress MP late Gyan Ranjan.

Drawing an analogy between a business school, which churns out successful business brains, and his <i>netagiri</i> school, Ranjan said political brains could also be groomed in a similar way.

Elaborating on the word <i>netagiri</i>, Lohra said, "Neta is one of the names of Lord Vishnu and <i>giri</i> means mountain. <i>Giri</i> is also even surname of several people. Therefore, the name is apt and it will become popular like Gandhigiri once people understand the real duty of a <i>neta</i>."

Raman Balhav, a lecturer with the noted St Xavier's college and the Netagiri Vidyalaya, says he is "proud of the school where ethics, moral values and government-sponsored welfare schemes comprise the syllabus".

"The basic objective in setting up the Netagiri Vidyalaya is to spread awareness among the rural people through these politicians. I interviewed some of the candidates readying themselves to contest the ensuing Lok Sabha elections. I asked them how they will serve the people. To my utter surprise nobody could give a proper answer," claimed Balhav.

Saying that the motto of the institution is to inculcate leadership qualities in aspiring politicians, he regretted that most people in the rural areas were not aware of several welfare schemes meant for them only.

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