Unlike movie sequels, it is the same story with a familiar ending - India rising, leaving behind its economically disadvantaged sections and China growing in a well-rounded manner. The grim truth about India is well-known and accepted by everybody but nothing is being done about it. China, on the other hand, now has a greater global presence than any other country in Asia. It even has a major influence on sensitive issues like Darfur. China's has a big impact on African economy and soon, we might have African kids learning Mandarin! (like Nicholas Kristof's kids). China's towering presence all over the world might be scary for India since they share common borders but I think India can ignore that fact and can learn a thing or two from China. Of course, India need not go to Sudan and sell arms like China does but it can use China's development as a good model in some areas like poverty, education and rural development.
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3 comments:
I think there are a few things we need to keep in mind. According to economic models whenever there is a period of great economic growth, the models predict that initially the disparity in incomes and standard of living increases. Given adequate checks and mechanisms to make sure a wider base participation of citizens in this growth over time the disparity does in fact reduce due to the much maligned trickle down effect. The trickle down effect and reduction in disparity does happen but only when adequate measures are taken. Unfortunately the GOI so far not done much to address that thus increasing the dangers of an auto catalytic increase in disparity and a even a social unrest situation.
Another thing that I feel is that China's record is not as clean either, there have pretty of instances of sweat shop problems and marginalization of it's poor especially in it's western undeveloped and rural parts. China being a non democracy has an easier time to enforce laws too which helps. Also, being a closed media, a lot of these things don't come out.
Of course, all said and done I think the main point is still that the GOI is not doing enough for it's marginalized citizens.
I agree. I think China's advantage was working within closed walls. Being a non-democratic country, it must have been easier to enforce laws. The path to China's present day stature is also unknown - mostly due to the lack of media freedom there.
On an unrelated note, I think once every thing is ready for the Shobana concert, you can put up the flyers and info on this blog site too apart from the regular advertising that is normally done.
Good idea, will do!
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