India's, Tight Rope walk!!!
My country has been on the World's stage, even before it came into existence. No one can forget the 200 years of British atrocities and 90 years of freedom movement. But this blog speaks about something else.
The early years of our free nation saw a boom in Agriculture. Seventy percent of our population was dependent on this Agriculture. either directly or indirectly. Even though we were considered a third world nation, we were respected for our culture and there was no major inequalities in terms of income, status, and rank. Our GDP was low and we weren't used to skyscrapers, fast foods and cell phones.
But, in the early nineties, we liberalised trade. We opened our markets to foreign goods and our goods flooded foreign markets. With liberalised global trade mechanism and availability of skilled labour at low cost, we were barking out loud for industries to be set up. So did they. A lot of Industries(not to mention IT) flocked into our country. Our GDP started growing and our foreign reserves increased, with the increase in income of individuals. Not to say, these individual was a small minority. But our cities were becoming affordable only for this minority. Our culture changed and with it our lifestyle.
Twenty years back, the minimum and maximum wages in our country were around Rs 500 and Rs 15000. But today, the minimum remains the same and the maximum has rocketed close to infinity and already, our cities have started to adapt themselves for the maximum earner. This has left the rest(about 60 % of our population) in desperation. They either die or lead their life, a beggar.
I do not say that, India must forbid It companies in it's land, but it can retain its towns and cities affordable for the minimum earner too. New towns can be found and old towns modified to suit both these people. We don't want to see the GDP fall, neither do we want to see a farmer fall.
Any decision on education quality and cost, opportunities provided, culture and cost of living in a city, political and social issues must be taken keeping in mind both the lowest and the highest earner.
Its obvious that, the near future for my country is going to be a tight rope walk. The politicians are going to walk and we are going to choose them. Please understand that, if we choose the wrong person, they are not going to fall, but we are.
The early years of our free nation saw a boom in Agriculture. Seventy percent of our population was dependent on this Agriculture. either directly or indirectly. Even though we were considered a third world nation, we were respected for our culture and there was no major inequalities in terms of income, status, and rank. Our GDP was low and we weren't used to skyscrapers, fast foods and cell phones.
But, in the early nineties, we liberalised trade. We opened our markets to foreign goods and our goods flooded foreign markets. With liberalised global trade mechanism and availability of skilled labour at low cost, we were barking out loud for industries to be set up. So did they. A lot of Industries(not to mention IT) flocked into our country. Our GDP started growing and our foreign reserves increased, with the increase in income of individuals. Not to say, these individual was a small minority. But our cities were becoming affordable only for this minority. Our culture changed and with it our lifestyle.
Twenty years back, the minimum and maximum wages in our country were around Rs 500 and Rs 15000. But today, the minimum remains the same and the maximum has rocketed close to infinity and already, our cities have started to adapt themselves for the maximum earner. This has left the rest(about 60 % of our population) in desperation. They either die or lead their life, a beggar.
I do not say that, India must forbid It companies in it's land, but it can retain its towns and cities affordable for the minimum earner too. New towns can be found and old towns modified to suit both these people. We don't want to see the GDP fall, neither do we want to see a farmer fall.
Any decision on education quality and cost, opportunities provided, culture and cost of living in a city, political and social issues must be taken keeping in mind both the lowest and the highest earner.
Its obvious that, the near future for my country is going to be a tight rope walk. The politicians are going to walk and we are going to choose them. Please understand that, if we choose the wrong person, they are not going to fall, but we are.
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