An educated land grab

When I happened to this place, several sages beckoned me and told me about the rot in the system. How things were not what they used to be. How they have watched good ship sink. And let it sink. But now that retirement is neigh, like good mice on listing ships, its time to go. But where? Well, there is this brand new place on the Eastern coastal highway, Vedanta University, the offspring of fertile imagination of (yet another) modern visionary, Anil Agarwal. Right there on the pedagogical pantheon alongside other greats like Kapil Sibal and V P Singh. "That there is the place my boy. Many many (15000) acres of lush green farmland converted to a hi-tech paradise in need of my technical educational expertise available at corporate rates. And conveniently next to the Puri Jagannath temple when the time comes, as it must to all of us. In spite of fat paychecks." So, I looked it up. And boy, I was impressed. Unlike IITs it promised holistic education, pristine settings, autonomy, the works. With a glass of wine.

Now recently several of these sages retired, and I was wondering if they are going to have that nice cushy landing they had dreamed of. But Vedanta University, like the Vedas, cannot be found! It is gone. Just like farmland near Noida, or any bustling unethical metropolis. And why? Here is the reason. Apparently, Vedanta University was just a giant land grab. One of India's biggest. They sought land more than all of the IITs combined. They got clearances from the Odisha government that were, well, ad hoc, at best. Why? Some fraternal help in some elections. What was the plan? Well, there is high mineral deposit on that land. It is right next to the tourist/religious paradise of Puri, Konark, and the beautiful eastern sea cost, so perfect for high-end hotels, golf clubs, and a dash of technical education.

Truly, Anil Agrawal is a visionary. He saw that far. But what else would you expect from a guy who looks like a cross between a chap you wouldn't want to give money to, and a guy who will take it anyway.