This refers to the article, “Of sugar dads and sugar babies” (April 2) by KP Shashidharan. The write-up was really an eye-opener. Indeed, it was shocking to learn that ‘sugar babies and sugar daddies' are merely an euphemism for the ugly underbelly of a ‘favour-seeking and favour-providing culture'. Unfortunately, this trend seems to have become more of a norm in almost all spheres of public life.
If top-rung education institutions — which seem to be the fastest growing ‘sugar baby' centres — promote this kind of business model due to their predatory fee structures, then what will happen to the talented and bright students whose paying abilities do not measure up to this expectationIJ Are we not forcing them to resort to this unethical, illegal and pernicious practice of secret special arrangementsIJ This entire trend also has moral overtones. It speaks volumes about the overweening ambitions of the young and reflects on the ethics of those who seek such favours.