The Mixed Relationship of Rural vs. Urban India

Blaine S., Dan C., A2

In India, the contrast between the rich and poor is very mixed.  The ratio of people living in rural areas versus people living in urban areas is about one to four.  The vast majority of the rural areas and about half of the people in the city are extremely poor.  This remaining 10 percent makes much more money while spending a fraction of their time working when compared the rest of the population.  However, the difference between the two economic classes is much smaller than many developed countries, such as the U.S. and Britain, and the Indian government is working to bring everyone up with the introduction of free enterprise.  We chose this topic because most of the students at IA live in the suburbs and do not experience the rural vs. urban conflict and we wanted to learn more about it.

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This is an example of a modern Indian city.  This is the part of India that has caught up with and may even pass the rest of the West.  Most of the cities are clean and new, and many people there are very successful.  They have access to education and modern technology which allows the next generation to be even more prosperous.  However, in general these people are not rich by the standards of developed countries and are more of an upper-middle class.

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Here an Indian is moving his goods to market using cattle.  Indians living in the rural areas have much different lifestyles than people living in the city.  Although the economic differences are not the greatest in the world, India’s poor are some of the poorest in the world.  They are very traditional and rely on agriculture to survive.  They do not have access to education or modern technologies.  However, India is on the right track.  It is becoming more democratic which is helping many people move up to middle class.  However, economic mobility is still very difficult.

Works Cited

"The Gap Between the Rich and the Poor in India is not that Wide." A Wide Angle View of India. 5 June 2007. 4 May 2009. <http://nitawriter.wordpress.com/2007/06/05/difference-between-rich-and-poor-indians/>.

"The Myth About the Rich and the Poor." India Uncut.  8 December 2004. 4 May 2009. <http://indiauncut.blogspot.com/2004/12/myth-about-rich-and-poor.html>.

Dialogue

Devraj is a rich landlord who buys up large plots of rural land, urbanizes the land and then sells the land for huge profits. Tanmay is a farmer with land that Devraj wants to buy.

Devraj: Hello Mr. Tanmay. I believe you know why I am here?

Tanmay: Yes and I say no. This land was my father’s land, his father’s land and for as long as anyone can remember this land has been our family’s and I will never give it to you, no matter how much you want it.

Devraj: Do you know that I am willing to pay you?

Tanmay: You are?

Devraj: Do you know how much I am willing to pay you?

Writes down a check for $10 000.

Tanmay: No.

Devraj: $20 000

Tanmay: No.

Devraj: $30 000

Tanmay: No.

Devraj: $50 000

Tanmay: Wow that is a large number . . . very well you have a deal.

Tanmay and Devraj sign a contract.

Devraj’s assistant: Was that really wise sir? I mean Tanmay or whatever couldn’t afford not to accept $10,000, you know how those living in rural India are dirt poor. They are not like us – they are not educated; they are not civilized. They barely survive and the only way they live at all is through agriculture.

Devraj: I know but how will any of these farmers create a living for themselves without our help, even our government is just starting to help. These farmers are doomed to poverty if we do not help them and this is how I plan on helping them raise in economic status as well as making profit. Besides if all those who live in rural India are destitute, maybe by eliminating rural India there will be less poverty!