Comments on: Will the Middle Class pay a heavy price for failing to care? http://www.2point6billion.com/news/2007/04/11/will-the-middle-class-pay-a-heavy-price-for-failing-to-care-110.html China & India, 40% of the world's population Thu, 09 Feb 2012 08:54:10 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Shantanu http://www.2point6billion.com/news/2007/04/11/will-the-middle-class-pay-a-heavy-price-for-failing-to-care-110.html/comment-page-1#comment-142 Shantanu Tue, 17 Apr 2007 12:17:55 +0000 http://www.2point6billion.com/2007/04/11/will-the-middle-class-pay-a-heavy-price-for-failing-to-care/#comment-142 Simon,

Thought-provoking post.
Although I broadly agree with your observations, I feel that there are some sweeping generalisations which may not really reflect what is happening at the grass-roots level (or in an India that is hidden/invisible and/or inaccessible to most eyes).

For instance, you mention that: “there is little sign that the emerging generation of decision makers is any more idealistic about creating an inclusive future for their fellow citizens than their predecessors were. For most young educated Indians challenging the status quo is restricted to deciding to change their brand of denim hipsters or hair gel.�

I beg to diasgree. You appear to ignore the work of a very large (several hundreds) number of NGOs working towards a more inclusive future for the most vulnerable sections of the society – those working towards the uplift-ment of the poorest of the poor and several others working in the areas of health, education, self-help and economic development. I will just mention a few names – the list is neither exhaustive nor representative – there are many many more…CRY, Pratham, Ekal Vidyalaya, Gian, ASHA etc…
You may also wish to have a quick look at this site: http://goodnewsindia.com/index.php/gni As its tag line says, it is about “News from India : of positive action, steely endeavour and quiet triumphs ~ news that is little known�.

You mention that: “It is not just the existence of so many who are clearly living in squalor, as the fact that there is a shared perception amongst the middle class that this situation is somehow acceptable, or at best unavoidable� – not true at all.

I can only hope that you have been deliberately provocative in this observation…Large sections of the more fortunate class in India (which you refer to as the “middle class�) are very seriously concerned about the issues that you raise – and a very large proportion of them are actively involved in some effort or the other to help ameliorate the situation.

Contrary to what you say, there is a shared belief that the promise and potential of India is unlikely to be realised unless there is more equality, more access to opportunities, basic education and healthcare for all…You see this in the media but also on the streets in action…I noticed from your profile that you live in Mumbai…I am sure you must be personally aware of at least a few such groups.

You also say that “It is widely assumed that an increase in general prosperity will be achieved due to the economic growth that India currently enjoys.�

Again, I am not sure where you picked his up…most well-read, well-off and educated Indians believe that economic prosperity alone will not help the situation – although they may differ on the extent of government involvement in addressing these issues…the middle class – contrary- to what you suggest – is actually seized of this matter – as is the government, big business, industry associations and experts in academia – as I said there is a shared consensus – and I am somewhat surprised that you dont notice it in your conversations (or perhaps it is down to the tendency to hide the “warts” from outsiders?)

The problems you mention are familiar and real – although most Indians may not see (or read about them) so starkly.

Two final points: you seem to suggest that there is more income disparity in India than China. In this context, this post http://global-themes.com/india-news-stories/ may be interesting. It has mention of comparative GINI coefficients: India is estimated to be between 33 and 37, compared to 41 for the United States, 45 for China, and 59 for Brazil.

And you mention the mention the “much overlooked AIDS epidemicâ€?. Have a look at this: things are not always what they seem to be. “India ‘overestimates’ HIV/Aids” http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/low/world/south_asia/6174715.stm and this: ““Of AIDS, Indian disasters and Apple IIe mindsetsâ€? http://sify.com/news/fullstory.php?id=14221885

And while I am not sure that, “The new paradigm (…of India being an unstoppable superpower in the making) has been eagerly and uncritically adopted in India�, I do agree that we need to do a lot more…

Thanks for a good post.

]]> By: Indiamusing http://www.2point6billion.com/news/2007/04/11/will-the-middle-class-pay-a-heavy-price-for-failing-to-care-110.html/comment-page-1#comment-132 Indiamusing Fri, 13 Apr 2007 19:08:52 +0000 http://www.2point6billion.com/2007/04/11/will-the-middle-class-pay-a-heavy-price-for-failing-to-care/#comment-132 Great post. Sometimes I feel that a lot of us who live in the cities look at these issues from our own narrow perspective. A city dweller usually thinks that the migrants are outsiders, poor insignificant type of human beings. Faceless, nameless with tags like car cleaner, driver, bahadur etc. Not trying to heap guilt on all of us. But lets try and look at things from the other side. If UP and Bihar have no economy to speak of then what are these people going to do? How will they fulfill their dreams? Are they not allowed to have their own dreams and wishes? I might be confusing a couple of points here but what I want to say is that rather than just focusing on developing the infrastructure in the top 6 cities, one needs a holistic approach which helps create employment opportunities in areas where the migrants come from. Its unlikely that Patna, for many practical reasons, might not be able to replace Mumbai as a commercial hub. But it can at least have a vibrant economy which supports neighbouring districts. If the local economy in other places does not improve then the dream of tackling population related issues in larger cities can be kissed goodbye. Great post. Sometimes I feel that a lot of us who live in the cities look at these issues from our own narrow perspective. A city dweller usually thinks that the migrants are outsiders, poor insignificant type of human beings. Faceless, nameless with tags like car cleaner, driver, bahadur etc. Not trying to heap guilt on all of us. But lets try and look at things from the other side. If UP and Bihar have no economy to speak of then what are these people going to do? How will they fulfill their dreams? Are they not allowed to have their own dreams and wishes?

I might be confusing a couple of points here but what I want to say is that rather than just focusing on developing the infrastructure in the top 6 cities, one needs a holistic approach which helps create employment opportunities in areas where the migrants come from. Its unlikely that Patna, for many practical reasons, might not be able to replace Mumbai as a commercial hub. But it can at least have a vibrant economy which supports neighbouring districts. If the local economy in other places does not improve then the dream of tackling population related issues in larger cities can be kissed goodbye.

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