IT vs Rest of India - Part I
At a time when the Architect of Economic Reforms is the Prime Minister of India, it is fascinating to observe the Indian economic journey post 1991. Forget the forex reserves position and the other macroeconomic parameters when Narasimha Rao and Manmohan Singh took over in 1991. Let that be for economists. Let us think about the scenario which prevailed then at a micro level.
Prior to 1991, if one hailed from an urban middle class from South India, the family income was at best about 10,000 per month. One would think twice before renting a house for more than 1500 bucks. The parents had dreams about building a house in a sub-urban area. They had to go from pillar to post to take a loan for 1.5 - 2 lakhs and struggle to pay the EMI and manage their children’s studies. For those to whom all this sounds alien watch “Veedu” by Balu Mahendra.
Cut back to 2005 and there are friends who pay for their children’s Pre-KG education much more than they did for their own college studies fees. Many professionals either buy/build a flat /house which they do not need as a matter of necessity. It is only a tax saving measure. The amount paid for maintenance and water charges in an apt. in a metro city now is much more than the rent paid for the house way back in 1988-1990. Real estate prices are sky-rocketing.
“Angeya sir? Flat na sq.ft 2000 sir. Ground 30-35 ruba pogudhu” (Read 30-35 Lakhs).
There are many among my friends who are as familiar with Lufthansa flight services from Chennai to Frankfurt just as the way they knew by-heart the route numbers and timings of city buses.
“Maapila innaiku night US kelambaren da.”
“Oh night 1.20 Lufthansa va?”
These dialogues are common now.
There are many among my friends who fly regularly between Chennai, Bangalore and Coimbatore to and fro. Like every alternate week or something. Cell phones and iPods are but extension of ears. Broadband should be brought under Essential Services Maintenance Act. Air-condition is absolute must for survival.
So are we realizing the Great Indian Dream? An India which is world class in Education, Healthcare, Manufacturing, Agriculture, Infrastructure and Technology?
I would welcome readers comments/opinions/feedbacks befoe commencing my second part.
July 22nd, 2005 at 3:37 am
Yes money is flowing more and more middle class and lower middle class is moving up the ladder
but there is also the ‘other’ side ,I dont the know the stats about that group
The disparity between poor and rich is growing not good for the country.
July 22nd, 2005 at 4:08 am
True..But whats the scope of income for a family/individual that has not opted for IT ?? I could say the prices have doubled up for all essential commodities,and the middle class with “average salary” still struggles..
One real estate owner told me..”land vilai ellam ippo eri pochunga,becoz America la irunthu paisa varuthu,IT la nalla sambalam…”. As i asked earlier ,whats could an average person achieve being in India..?? Still running pillar to post…I,for myself ,wanted to open up a clinic at chennai ,but its gonna take a long long time for me to settle..So,I opted to move here. Even now, few of my classmates that had not opted for IT, but else in Engineering field,still struggles to find a good base…
Still there is disparity ,and sudden riches and economic boom has favored just a section of the population… Thats my view !!
And Ready to debate more…
July 22nd, 2005 at 5:54 am
இதெல்லாம் ஒகே தான்
நடக்குது தெரியும்
ஆனால்…
செங்கல்பட்டு செல்லப்பாவும்
மதுராந்தகம் முனுசாமியும்
இப்பவும் மழைக்கு ஏங்கி
சோத்துக்கு லாட்டிரி தானே அடிக்கிறார்கள்?
July 22nd, 2005 at 5:59 am
@Ganesh
the disparity between the rich and the poor…. You hit the nail in the head.
July 22nd, 2005 at 6:00 am
Adengappa
you are spot on. will write more on that in part 2.
July 22nd, 2005 at 6:01 am
@narayana sir
மழைக்கு ஏங்கி
சோத்துக்கு லாட்டிரி தானே அடிக்கிறார்கள்?
adhai vida kevalam sir avanga nilamai. more in part 2.
July 22nd, 2005 at 6:21 am
pramana question, the gr8 indian dream , had ended with gr8 indian consumption. the problems we faced 50 years ago still exist, along with new problems like aids. india is a country divided on economic lines, the have and the havenots. with the have nots trying to break into the league of the haves. the haves r blind to the havenots and the have nots envy the haves, now is this the gr8 indian dream?