A Tale of two Indias
BSNL may claim that it is One India, but Randeep Ramesh doesn’t think so:
Aamby Valley offers Indians a way to buy their way out of the state: a couple of acres costs 70m rupees (£900,000). In British terms it may not sound like a fortune, but the price of the cheapest wooden two-bedroom chalet is 15m rupees (£190,000) - 90 times the average Indian family's annual income. This alone will ensure that flourishing India is kept well apart from the unwashed masses.
All this points to a deeper trend: a swelling class of people with a deep mistrust of government who dream of creating an Indian Shangri-la. The new wealthy in India are quietly abandoning the state: paying for their own private police force and playing golf at private clubs. There appears to be little concern about supporting public services or about the poor who are stuck with decrepit hospitals and schools. This kind of institutional inequality has its roots in the caste system, India's social hierarchy, but it will soon be criss-crossed by another set of divisions that will see older cities becoming dumped with an Indian underclass.
posted by Kaps at
5:20 PM
3 Comments:
"This kind of institutional inequality has its roots in the caste system,"
i dont think the trend can be associated with our caste system.it's ultimately the survival of the fittest.not every millionaire in our country has succeeded because of his caste.it's ultimately in your hands to use the system to your advantage to make as much money as possible.
By
paurna, at 9:38 PM
A-ha, the article is in Guardian, Hindu's mentor. They always put a spin on every issue and in India's case all wetsern media have to necessarily involve caste in to the equation.
SLN
PS: Not just generalising here, I have been following international media for last few years (Guardian being a personal favorite) and always wondered why they see caste everywhere even if we Indians dont.
By
SLN, at 4:06 AM
amby valley is really shameful. And the mentality of excluding less privileged people definitely comes from the caste system - be it in amby valley or in shopping malls or discos. there is no doubt about how strongly the caste system subconsciously influences the way of thinking of us indians.
i don't think that making money has anything to do with not caring for the problems of others. the tata's have set a good example of how to make money and help people at the same time.
By
anish, at 5:46 AM
Post a Comment
<< Home