Some people may look at this idea as radical, but if it re-boots the system of acquisition of higher learning then I am for radicalisation. Some may even treat it as the output of a rocking head. But I’m okay with that either, as long as the head rocks. What I have in mind, is the idea of re-structuring a massive “Non- Performing Asset” of independent India and I start with a question. How much space does a person with a reasonable sized family require to live in? A few rooms, even if they are one for each independent member, a few guest rooms or suites, a common or a living room, a large enough visitor’s room, a relatively smaller one for some private or exclusive visitor, a library or a study if intellectually inclined and of course, some accommodation for the retinue if the person occupies a high public office.
Before the 1857 mutiny, the Governor General appointed by East India Company would administer the parts under its control but it became necessary that the reigns of the ‘colony’ be transferred from the East India Company to the British crown. The viceroy was installed and following the decision to move the capital from Calcutta to Delhi, a new administrative structure in the form of ‘New Delhi’, fondly called Lutyens’ Delhi after the architect Sir Edwin Lutyens ( but for different reasons in political & journalistic circles these days). “Viceregal lodge” from where the viceroys operated while the “Viceroy’s House” was being built (1912-1930) was later handed over to the University of Delhi.
Lord Irvin came to be the first incumbent to occupy the newly built palace over Raisina hill. He was the representative of the crown. This position meant enormous executive functioning and thus a whole estate to his disposal. A palace from where India would be governed till the transfer of power was affected.
Contrast this with what transpires when the Honourable President wakes up now. I am not referring the three meals and two tea breaks a day. After he is briefed about the day’s program and is apprised of the happenings around the world, there is nothing very great that the President does from the execution point of view. He may meet a few visitors. Sometime there may be international Heads of States. May be visit an institution for a lecture or two but few and far between, or attend to a delegation or some signing of documents relating to legislation or policy which are eagerly awaiting the prized signature. Meeting with top brass of the Legislative, Executive or the Judiciary, or sometimes the Defence may also be part of the day’s programme, but ‘sometimes’. On some days, which do not again happen often, presiding over the ‘oath taking’ ceremonies of Judges or ministers or the national investiture ceremonies may be there. Beyond this, the President is a “cooling the heels” institution from where she/he retires after five years or more to settle in a large official accommodation and a pension for life. All this comes at no personal cost. It is rare that a President in office contributes but he surely is an expensive proposal for the paraphernalia attached to the ‘Presidency’.
So technically or even practically, the President of India (except for remaining either ‘pleased’ or ‘displeased’) does not or is not required to do anything that may add value to the GDP of the nation unless he authors a book or two and they sell. The functioning of the President of India (barring an odd one) is a fairly sedentary one. There is not much activity that necessitates allocation of a 360 room palace with an over 300 acre estate and by far the largest official presidential residence across the world. Such pristine and salubrious environment deserves to be associated with learning.
If Imran’s Pakistan can do it: converting the palatial PM house into Islamabad National University, why can the opinion makers in India consider converting Rashtrapati Bhavan into a “Rashtrapati Mahavidyalaya”, as a university dedicated to advanced studies, research and developmental activity. The national asset which presently is consumptive and unproductive in nature (for the kind of resources that go into its upkeep) may well become a centre of learning. After all, quest for knowledge is what India or Bharatvarsha has always stood for.
