CHENNAI: The IIM Ahmedabad graduate-turned-entrepreneur Sarathbabu. E says reservation (in educational institutions) should have parameters other than caste. Inequalities exist because some students are economically backward or do not have access to information, he said.

He was speaking at the sidelines of Polaris Ullas Trust's 9th Annual Workshop here on Saturday attended by over 2,000 school students from all over Tamil Nadu, where he was a guest speaker.

Mr. Sarathbabu himself rose from a humble background. His mother supported his education by selling idlis to pedestrians. He turned down a corporate job with a high salary to start his own catering business, Foodking, a salute to his former days of idli-selling. He explained that when reservation was based only on caste, second and third generation beneficiaries may secure seats over more deserving students. One reason why reservation was not effective after so many years, he said, was that it tended to get selective; it gave openings to people who already had access to opportunities.

Mr. Sarathbabu encouraged youngsters to become entrepreneurs, so they could provide jobs to other people.

"My business is different from all the other food businesses because it offers specialised catering for corporate companies," he said.

The Ahmedabad-based company, in which he invested Rs.11.75 lakh, already has plans to expand to Chennai.

The Ullas Trust awarded scholarships to 2,000 students across 196 schools in Chennai and 112 schools from 29 district headquarters of Tamil Nadu. The trust also awarded the Ullas Young Achievers Higher Education Scholarships to 35 students.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail