Does the apology stand?

The story of the German professor who denied internship to an Indian student went viral yesterday.

According to the question posted by his friend on Quora the student was given the pretext of 'rape problem' in India by the professor.


In further interactions, Professor Annette G. Beck-Sickinger, Leipzig University reiterated her stand, citing reports of 'multi-rape crimes'.



Kindly enough German Ambassador to India, Micahel Steiner shot a letter to her in the right earnest, expressing his difference of opinion, and clearing the misconceptions, where he describes Indians as open-minded,  law-abiding, tolerant, open-minded and hard working.




This was followed by a post on the website of German Embassy to India saying that the Professor had apologised. " I have made a mistake. I sincerely apologise to everyone whose feelings I have hurt ", announced  Prof. Beck-Sickinger.





It looked like the matter had closed with the apology. The Professor realised her mistake and apologised, and we should move on.  However the press release by the Leipzig University tells a different story. It says

The professor recently turned down the student’s email application for an internship because no openings were available. The student did not accept her reasoning and involved her in a discussion about the social conditions in Germany and India. In her response, she mentioned the problem of women in India being raped.

It also says

Professor Beck-Sickinger stated: "I never wrote the mail in this way, it has been put together from individual segments taken from different mails."

The President of University of Leipzig stated

"From the point of view of the University she has followed the correct and suitable path to avoid misunderstandings and to express her apologies."


Is this the whole truth or there is more to the story? Why was the whole apology not made public, and only parts out of context? Is this a one-off example of her conduct, or there could be a pattern?

According to a story published in The News Minute, by Dhanya Rajendran, one more student came forward citing a similar email sent to him by the same Professor in reply to his PhD application. He chose to remain anonymous but gave a screenshot as proof.


Dear Mr….., 
Thanks a lot for your application. 
Unfortunately, I do no longer accept any male Indian guests, trainees, doctoral students, or post docs due to the severe rape problem in India. 
I cannot support a society which is not able to respect females in any aspect. I think cultured people cannot close their eyes.



According to him, this was the only email transaction he had with the Professor, unlike the current one in question, where the University claims that there were many emails exchanged after denial of internship, the student engaged her in a conversation and implies that Prof. Beck-Sickinger was compelled to make such arguments.

The above example though falsifies such claims.

The matter should be taken up by our MEA (Ministry of External Affairs) as well as the HRD (Human Resource Development) Ministry. Every year thousands of students apply for admission in variious educational programmes in Germany.


In response to a question by a student regarding the money to be shown in one's account, DAAD (http://www.daaddelhi.org/ ) answered "A student’s blocked account ("Sperrkonto") in Germany in the name of the applicant showing a minimum balance of Euro 8.040, and the remark that the account holder can dispose of a monthly amount of EURO 670, is necessary, the alternatives being a scholarship or a formal letter of sponsorship from a sponsor living in Germany. "

The interest rate on a student loan in India is apparently higher than that on a car loan. There is a lot of investment involved when a student decides to study abroad, monetary as well as psychological and emotional. A student has to adjust in the new environment, learn the norms and fit in. 

As a nation, India brings a considerable revenue to many countries around the world in terms of educational spending. While it cannot be denied that most countries, including Germany, provide a friendly and hospitable atmosphere for the students, there could be issues specific to countries which need to be addressed.

It is the duty of the Indian Government to look into the matter and follow it up. The response from the University, as well as Prof. Beck-Sickinger has been less than satisfying, especially in light of new reports. It is unlikely that the students would take any strong steps, considering their vulnerable position. However the Government needs to step up its act, even if means taking stern action against such incidents ,and make an official statement. This could give reassurance to the aspiring students applying overseas, as well as their families.

The Frankenstein's Monsters

They are everywhere these days. You meet them on Facebook, Twitter, on the phone, around the street corner.

Sometimes they are seen holding placards, at other times, starting hashtags, surveys, signature campaigns, RTI applications, writing blogs and so on.

They are a different species, unlike others of similar tribes. They have hailed but don't say 'Hail Hitler". They follow but not blindly. They have adored and revered, but are not 'bhakts'.

They question when they have one. They challenge when subjugated. They disagree when they don't concur. They express their opinions.

Where did they learn these tools of the trade? Who guided them in their processes? Were they the same before? Who are they?

They are the Frankenstein's monsters created by the AAP. They are the 'aam aadmi, aam aurat, and the aam insaan' of our society. They could be volunteers, office bearers, supporters, donors or voters of the AAP.

They had given up their hope in the system. Then came the AAP. They saw a flicker, a dream, that things can change. And to their surprise, things started changing during the 49-day Government of the AAP.  Then came the resignation.

They were disappointed but had not lost hope. They made their anger known. Arvind Kejriwal heeded to them and gave his apology. And to everyone's surprise, not only did they forgive, but also rewarded the AAP with a thumping victory of 67 out of 70 seats in Delhi.

This time though, it did not even last for 49 days.Back then, the Frankensteins monsters were disappointed, but still they justified the resignation, supported the AAP in every debate that flared up in the virtual social world, as well as the real one. Though the AAP only got four seats in the Lok Sabha elections, their vote share in Delhi increased, and they got two percent vote share around the country despite the fact that they were not seen as major national players. It is different now. The hopes are dwindling, the dreams are blurred.

It started with the allegations on Yogendra Yadav and Prashant Bhushan, followed by their removal from the Political Affairs Committee of the AAP. They say that there are two groups of supporters now, those of Arvind and those of Yogendra Yadav and Prashant Bhushan. But this could be misleading. If you look closer, you will see that there are the usual followers, 'bhakts', of whoever and then there are the Frankenstein's monsters, the AAP's creations, who are not only disheartened about the whole series of events but are also working on it to keep it together.

This is a species, never seen before in the history of Indian politics. Supporters have been unhappy with their parties before, but they either choose to stay put and not argue or change their loyalties. This species has continued to stay with the AAP and question. The AAP they continue to stay with, is the idea of the AAP, which began on the 2nd October 2012 in the Constitution Club, following the India Against Corruption movement, when the party was not even named.

They have spent the sweat of their brow, some blood even, at times emptied their pockets, left jobs, skipped exams, argued with their closest people for this idea of the AAP. The idea which seems to be at the breaking point is held tightly, close to their hearts by these adorable Monsters, in their placards, hashtags, surveys, signature campaigns, RTI applications, blogs.......hoping somebody will listen.

No 'Daughters' Please

'Bharat Mata Ki Jai'! 'Vande Mataram'! Goosebumps.

Do we ever pause and think why a nation is called 'motherland' ( barring Germany, which is called 'fatherland')? Probably not. We raise our slogans and feel proud.

When a girl is born, we say 'Laxmi ayi hain'! Are we happy, or are we trying to overcompensate our guilt of not feeling happy? The 'Honesty Award' in this regard should go to the state of Haryana, where according to a survey carried out by the NGO Breakthough, 90 per cent of parents prefer boys over girls (the remaining could just be diplomatic).

Going by the symbolics, is it an honor to be called Laxmi? The lady is mostly seen at the feet of Vishnu, tending to him, as he reclines horizontally on the coils of his serpent. Now we know where our men draw their inspirations from.

Talking of honor, is it a good thing? This honor. The pedestals being given to us. They sound good. And who wouldn't love a dose of appreciation. But then our country is known more for 'honor killing' than the so called 'honor'. Well if they don't manage the sonograms in the first place that is, and a 'girl child' is born.

How often do we use the condescending term 'girl child' without even realizing it. Why 'girl child'? Why not just 'girl' or 'child'? The government liberally uses the term when drafting the various programmes. And what names, 'Ladli Laxmi' (Laxmi..again), Mukhyamantri Kanyadan Yojana (Kanyadan..well this one requires a separate article) and so on.

'Nirbahaya', the fearless, the courageous. Sorry sweetheart, up in heaven, couldn't gather the courage to watch the BBC documentary, after watching its clip where your mother narrates your last moments with her. 'India's Daugher'. Is that what you were? Are remembered? "Jyoti Singh deserves the dignity of her name. So much was snatched from her, show her parents and her memory respect please" tweeted writer Sonia Chopra.

On this women's day, just for a day, can we (including men and women...one cannot put all the blame of atrocities against women on men alone) treat her as a human being, not a daughter, mother, sister or wife.

For a change, instead of between putting her or on pedestal or on rags, find a middle ground. Maybe listen to her, and not look through her as if she is a wall, when she offers her opinions. Shake that inertia and co-cook with her in the kitchen ( your kids will thank you for setting that example when they grow up). How about letting (not permitting, ok) her choose, if she wants to take up a career, or give up one. Or just notice her presence and not take her for granted.

Grow Up AAP

It's simple.

Which path is right?

Arvind Kejriwal's, Prashant Bhushan's, or Yogendra Yadav's?

There is only one right path, the path of integrity.

Every time AAP refused the donations after their 20 crore mark was met during Delhi Assembly Elections 2013, AAP won.

When AAP refused the support of Shahi Imam AAP won.

Every time AAP canceled tickets of questionable candidates, AAP won.

Keep it simple.

AAP has won because of its integrity, make no mistake.

Tireless volunteers shed their sweat only for this reason, else there is many a political party out there.

AAP cannot afford to lose.

It's not about AK, PB or YY.

It's about people. The people who put trust in AAP. People who have brought AAP to this juncture. Voters, volunteers, supporters..questioners too.

Questions are good, sycophancy..... not good, for anybody.

It has taken 67 odd years after independence to see this ray of hope. Amongst corruption, communalism and cronyism people had grown tolerant. 'Chalta hain' had become an everyday phrase.

AAP shook the foundations of it all. A new discourse is trying to take shape. Common people are asking questions (More power to AAP!).

The same questions should be welcome in AAP too. Why are they taboo?

Questions are good. Baseless allegations....not good.

AAP was an unplanned baby. It was the likes of Gadkaris and Khurshids who helped push AAP into birth. The baby AAP has been growing up fast, now a toddler.

AAP cannot have the luxury of waitng any longer. Time has come. Grow up.

Growth pangs are good. Mistakes too. They are a sign of "Work in Progress". But repeating mistakes...not good.

AAP needs to gather up all the goodwill. Forget differences. Stop arguing on social media. For the greater cause.

People are looking up. To you.

"Sabko sanmati de".