A TEACHER ON THE BATTLE GROUND
ENGINEER K M KARTHIK – Contesting Loksabha Election 2019 from Tiruchirappalli (Tamil Nadu)
Mechanical Engineer by education, founder of The All India Private Colleges Employees Union (AIPCEU) K M Karthik decided to contest Loksabha Election 2019. He has worked for many companies in India and abroad and finally decided to become a teacher. THE INFIMIT interviewed him and asked him why a teacher should enter into politics.
Que 1 Karthik, A teacher by choice or by chance?
I was hesitant to enter teaching field since I honoured the profession to the extent that I considered myself to be amateur and unfit to decorate such a prestigious position. Entered teaching profession just by an accident, I found myself performing well and loved by my students and colleagues. I worked as an Assistant Professor in a private institution for 3 years and later one year as a temporary faculty at NIT Tirchirapalli.
Que2.Why did you decided to contest in Loksabha election?
I was beyond politics. Activism was my area of interest with specific stress in legal and constitutional remedies. In education, the law favours only the private sector, and the private sector has nexus with political power. The social status of Teachers are stooping low, since the power zones controlling the education field also own a lucrative business out of it. Small legal remedies cannot increase the stature of teachers. We need respect in society which can only be achieved if we fight the politics as politicians. Hence my political plunge had come, that too by accident.
Que3. Which election symbol has been allotted to you?
I had requested ‘Telephone’ symbol in honour of my mother who worked in BSNL and demised a month ago. I am allotted ‘Telepohone’ as the symbol. My constituency is Tiruchirappalli and the election date is on 18/04/2019.
Que4. What are the major issues you are raising in your election campaign?
The noble services of imparting education, and providing health care should get rid of commercialization. These are my foremost areas of interest. Secondly I concentrate on protecting formal employments and the PSU companies such as BHEL & BSNL. Thirdly, the water scarcity issue which affects farmers and fourthly civic amenities and public welfare in my constituency with care for ecology and environment.
Que5. What do you think, why teachers issues are not focused in elections?
As I uttered a phrase “Insignificance of the significance” in my book “T Rex: Teacher is the King”: and just similar to “blindfolding the lady justice” rights in democracy weaken if you do not participate. Politician is just a human like you and has every opportunity to turn against you, provided you start to transfer your responsibility to him. Politicians had made the professors believe that they live a content and safe life. Of course this is true with the 10% who work in government. Other 90% face the wrath of politicians. The 10% are only considered teachers and the 90% considered low grade teachers. The 10% governmental teachers are under the thumb of governments and get good salary. Now the 90% has to fight for their survival. To survive economically, the 90% non-governmental teachers have to fight Legally, Politically and Socially. Until then the reality will be nothing than “insignificance of the significance”.
Que6. Why do you think that present government has failed to deliver in these issues?
When two kinds of people: a teacher and a college trustee, approach the same minister at the same day to demand their rights, and even if the two are belonging to the same party as the minister, it is quite natural that the minister will be inclined to make the college trustee comfortable. Hence either this government or the forthcoming government has to convince the election fund-donors (college trustees), who mostly occupy a post in their party. Any government will show a deaf year to the teacher unless the teaching community shows its strength. Alas, then again we are cheated to focus our anger to our fellow colleagues rather than towards the exploiting landlords! Blaming governments during elections are a big flaw when we are not ready to nominate a person in our community and make him win the elections. With responsibility we can enjoy respects.
Que7. What are the other issues of the constituency from where you are contesting this election?
My constituency lost nearly 1000 medium and small scale industries in last 7 years. My constituency is one of the rice hubs of the nation and it is now hit by draught. Real estates and improper town planning, lack of proper sanitary and waste management systems had added to the pain of my city. I will spend all my efforts to rectify these issues.
Que8. What message you want to give to the government, society and teachers community by contesting in this election.
To the governments my message is: the paradigm shift is happening. The roller-coaster is now declining at your side. To the society: democracy will fail without your participation. Take part not as voters, but as leaders. To my brotherhood teaching community, as always: United, we live!
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