Story link: http://www.goodnewsindia.com/index.php/sieve/article/affirmative-action

Outlook Magazine of April 24, 2006 has featured the Centre of Excellence [CEx] incubated by the Indian Institute of Managemant - Kozhikode [IIMK] in Kerala.

The CEx admits only young Adivasis and Dalits. Over 5 months, they are tutored in communication, IT and management skills, and are also helped with personality development. They are paid Rs 2,000 per month as stipend. The idea is to make them better able to compete with young people from more privileged backgrounds.

The initiative seems to be paying off. Of the 208 alumni to date, 35% have moved on to greater opportunities in jobs or education at IIMs and IITs. Could this be a better approach than the dishonestly implemented quota system?