A closer look at Rajasthan University, which happens to be the state's premier institution of its kind, reveals the degree of rot that has set in. No audit had been conducted on its functioning since '91-'92. What's more, the accountant-general in the state is believed to have raised 194 objections to its '90-'91 audit. Financial mismanagement was so rampant that even the staff provident fund was in total disarray.

This, in turn, had evidentlycaused staff disaffection, which had manifested itself in strikes and go-slows. The crisis of staff unrest was sought to be diffused by diverting funds meant to improve library and other facilities for paying the staff. As if all this was not bad enough, staff appointments were also unduly politicised, contributing to the further deterioration of teaching standards. At the time of the tragedy, Rajasthan University did not even have a proper vice-chancellor -- only an IAS officer performing the role of an acting vice-chancellor.

The state government had long ago washed its hands of this institution and had withdrawn state funding to it on the grounds that it had not submitted to a proper audit. It is this cumulative failure of the system that led to the delay in results which in turn pushed Bhardwaj to the brink.

It would be tempting to read the Rajasthan tragedy as an isolated incident. But that, unfortunately, is not the case. In fact, the great majority of the country's 219-odd universities findthemselves in similar straits. Financial turpitude, callous administration and incipient politicking have together wreaked havoc on the system and resulted in educational standards falling abysmally, year after year.

The most eloquent pointer to this is the woeful neglect of the academic calendar. Very few universities, even as they clamour for more autonomy, bother to keep up with the time schedules they have set for themselves -- the academic year begins late, examinations are not held on time and results don't come for an eternity. Universities are meant to groom the emerging generations to cope with the tough, competitive world outside their gates.

With jobs so difficult to come by there are an estimated 279 lakh Indians who are currently unemployed young people find themselves bearing an intolerable burden. The message on the blackboard is clear: any nation that cares for its future, cannot neglect its universities. The Rajasthan tragedy underlines the need for a more careful monitoring of itsgroves of Academe.