predominantly BC and SC/ST students were thus being siphoned off, without a real choice, from science and technology. Disparities also had regional profiles: in areas of Andhra Pradesh such as rural Telengana, Rayalaseema and Srikakulam, upper sudra castes had set up private colleges for themselves. In these regions, Chalam stated, there was "not a single government college in which science courses were being taught". The complex question of caste disparity as created by curricula would require a separate investigation, he said, but in relation to the issue of caste in general, he declared, "I have this to say to our ruling groups: even in terms of your [liberal] paradigm, you cannot compete in the international markets of the 21 st century without taking us along" On a different note, R V R Chandrasekhar Rao expressed concern at the quick and widespread "technicalisation" of higher learning. He felt that the university's crucial function of turning out balanced and socially sensitive citizens was being eroded through the neglect/marginatisation of the social sciences and the humanities.
