In a first-of-its-kind initiative, B-school students may soon work with MPs as interns, helping them utilise the member of parliament local area development scheme and other projects.
They will aid them in utilising MPLADS and execute other projects
NEW DELHI: The culture of students interning with legislatures in western democracies is spre- ading to India. In a first-of-its-kind initiative, B-school students may soon work with MPs as interns, helping them utilise the member of parliament local area development scheme (MPLADS) and other projects.
The proposal, which was okayed by IIM-A faculty board a few days ago, allows management student groups, faculty guides and external subject matter experts to work as interns with MPs from June 2008 for social sector development.
The programme can benefit all stakeholders, the MPs, students and the people in the respective constituencies. MPs get access to top-notch managerial expertise for constituency development free of cost. Each MP is provided with Rs2 crore under MPLADS and in many cases they are unable to utilise the entire amount.
The B-school interns will advise them how best to use this sum, and for the students it is a career-enhancing move and productive use of their academic work year leading to better grass-root development for people.
The idea was first floated by CPI(M) politburo member Sitaram Yechury who was invited for a lecture at IIM-A last year. CS Krishna, a IInd year post-graduate student of IIM-A, who later opted for internship with the CPI(M), pursued the matter.
A group of students then approached the IIM-A management for institutionalising internship with MPs, to begin with MPLADS funds. Sources said a few students opted for Yechury while others are thinking of working with BJP leader, former editor and union minister Arun Shourie.
The students who are exposed to the corporate world will benefit from the internship as they will be able to understand the working of the government.
“The idea is to have MPs float projects, themes, problems that student groups from the IIMs can work on mostly remotely over a 6-12 month period. Student groups will comprise students from the IIMs, faculty guides, and external subject matter experts. The MP as the project sponsor becomes the end user of the group’s work,” said CS Krishna.
IIM-A dean and member of faculty board Ajay Pandey said the internship may begin “most likely from the next academic year, i.e July-August.” He said he is not in a position to share details as he is “yet to see the details”.
An IIM-A source said other B-schools will also join the internship programme. “IIM-A had a dialogue with Lucknow already. The programme will be extended to IIMs in Bangalore and other cities later,” he said.
The faculty board okayed the proposal on the condition of “topic neutrality and forum neutrality” so that the programme remains apolitical.
Topic neutrality refers to the non-political nature of the engagement undertaken by the student group. Forum neutrality refers to the project originators, sponsors and end users of the student body’s work being constitutionally recognised government functionaries.
To ensure forum neutrality, projects can be routed thr- ough a state body in the legislature (Lok Sabha speaker’s or vice-president’s office, for instance), says Krishna.
“There will also be unquantifiable long term benefits. The experience can mould young, impressionable minds as they come into contact with the political class. Such a stint will undoubtedly shape their outlook, irrespective of their long term career paths, as future captains of industry,” said Krishna.
k_benedict@dnaindia.net
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}