Quotas as a tool for affirmative action are always problematical, for they try to right a historical wrong at the expense of the present generation. But it is nevertheless an acceptable practice in civilized society for lack of a better alternative and also because of the moral imperative to correct past mistakes and to provide a modicum of justice to the underprivileged and neglected. To employ the same tool to give opportunities to the privileged is to add insult to injury for the underprivileged lot. It´s unfortunate how doctors, who are among the most privileged and educated, forget this basic reality. We want to draw the attention of the TUTH docs to how the US embassy, housed just meters away, upholds the principle of fairness over scholarships. No children of US embassy employees are allowed to compete for major US fellowships such as Fulbright and Humphrey. A few meters south, you are demanding not just preference but quotas for your children! Hey docs, have a heart-- you have an obligation to be compassionate to the less fortunate.
We also want to remind TUTH docs of the glorious history of the hospital and the role played by its staff -- both medical and non-medical -- in championing democracy. TUTH employees were at the forefront of the democratic struggle of this country during both Janaandolan I and Janaandolan II. Their fight for democracy was fundamentally a fight for justice. Our humble request to them is: don´t trivialize that history by succumbing now to petty interests.
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