Coaching Crisis and the effect of coaching crisis:

• The huge coaching business is capitalizing on the dreams of students, charging astronomical prices on the two year programs. Young students, as young as 14 years old, have gotten into a vicious cycle of learning, giving up all-round development in favor of exam-driven learning. This causes psychological strain, depression and loss of childhood and some people may not be able to handle the heavy burden.

Unrealistic Entrance Exam Standards:

• The existing system which sees 15 lakh students seek 18,000 IIT seats requires extraordinary performance when there are only relative differences in the academic scores. This overqualifies the students and puts up artificial hierarchies which disadvantage less fortunate students. It also increases the imbalance of regions and gender and classes, with more well off students able to afford coaching.

Social Inequities and Illusion of Meritocracy:

• The crisis in coaching has resulted in a sense of meritocracy whereby more prosperous families can use coaching to their advantage whereas being left behind are deserving students who have come with a disadvantageous background. The system, according to a philosopher Michael Sandel, propagates a poisonous culture of individual excellence and disregards the aspect of privilege and chance.

International Reform Models- the Dutch Lottery System:

• Based on the example of the Netherlands where a medical school admissions system based on a weighted lottery has proven to be successful, India can proceed to a more equal system. Students with a set of standards in their academic performance could take part in a lottery that puts their names on the list of assigned seats to minimize the bias and alleviate the stress on students.

Reforms for Equity and Fairness:

• By facilitating the admissions process with Class 12 board results as the main criterion of B.Tech readiness the process may be fair. The weighted lottery system could assign the seats according to the academic performances, gender, regional and rural reservations. In addition, IITs may introduce rural seat reservations and faculty exchange to allow integration, diversity, and equal academic standards.

Dowry Demand and Its Perpetuation:

• Even after getting a huge dowry, Nikki Bhati was reportedly tortured by her husband and in-laws to get her more dowry. This indicates the ruthlessness of dowry demands even after the first dealings and how women continue to be abused in the name of dowry.

The role of Caste Panchayat in silencing the victims:

• Nikki also did not go to the police after being abused several times, but ran away to her parental home. Rather than hearing her complaints, caste panchayats sought reconciliation on the basis of the promises of the husband's family, which demonstrates that caste loyalty can usually override the courts of law.

Patriarchy and Misogyny in Society:

• Attitudes of patriarchy which have been embedded in caste and class norms reinforce the victim-blaming narrative. This is reflected in social media posts, in which some have argued that Nikki died as a result of a suicide, whilst others changed the attention to the alleged perpetrator and avoiding the bigger picture, which is dowry violence.

Proposals from Caste Leaders:

• To a horror show, a caste leader proposed brides to be provided with weapons as dowry to protect themselves against marital torture. This emphasizes the fact that the emphasis is put on the continuity of tradition and honor instead of considering the underlying causes of abuse and inequality in marriages.

Historical and Religious Significance:

• The Mela Patt festival is traced back to the 16 th century when the festival was first observed by King Nag Pal in Bhaderwah called as Bhadarkashi. It shows the historic meeting of the Emperor Akbar and the King Nag Pal as a reminder of the role of unity, spirituality, and courage in the history of the region. The festival is an offering to Lord Vasuki Nag who is also known as the protector and spiritual guardian of the area.

Inclusive Nature of the Festival:

• It is the Mela Patt, a representation of community peace in the area, given that people of different religious and caste groups may come to enjoy. Irrespective of whether they are religious or not, people gather to offer homage to Raja Nag Pal, demonstrating unity in the spirit in the region. The festival is celebrated on Nag Panchami, seven days after the Kailash Yara and is a peaceful gathering of the communities in an effort to celebrate tradition and culture.

The Dikko Dance – A unity of Identity:

• One striking aspect is Mela Patt which is the so-called Dikko Dance where men and women of every status, caste, religion, etc. are involved in the performance. The dance is not only a performance but also a symbol of peace, pride and harmony in the community. Its broad spectrum highlights the need to have cooperation, unity, and respect amongst various communities. The dance is an execution of the values that the people of Bhaderwah share.

600 Years of Peaceful Celebrations:

• One of the rare festivals in the area that has a very peaceful history throughout centuries is Mela Patt. Since the festival has been going on since more than 600 years, there have been no uncouth moments, this shows the reverence people have towards Raja Nag Pal and the un-teachable communal solidarity of the people of Bhaderwah. Social cohesion and religious tolerance in the region, which has been a strong tradition, have served as testament to this long-standing tradition.

Cultural Legacy and Preservation:

• The Mela Patt festival is a religious celebration as well as a festival of cultural heritage of Bhaderwah. It brings forward local traditions, folk music, dances and handicrafts, and gives the platform to local artisans and performers. The festival also contributes to the retention of local cultural identity besides developing tourism and economic activity, especially in hand crafts and local enterprises, which are vibrant during the festival.