Page 12 - The Indian EYE 022423

OP-ED FEBRUARY 24, 2023 | The Indian Eye 12

A $5-trillion dream, poverty

and a shaken voice

Views and opinions from the top commentators in Indian media

A the poor.
sense of belonging can never
The bottom 50 per cent includes
be circumscribed by location,
your passport does not define
who you are. Look at the emotion- -- P Chidambaram, The Indian Ex-
press
al response of the audience, usual-
ly dominated by Indian expatriates US AND THEM
and persons of Indian origin, to any
Indian cultural performance over- he idea of an enemy as the
seas. This group, which now numbers Other cannot remain just a cul-
around 3.2 crore, is highly skilled and Ttural construct. Its aggressive-
successful. In the US, for example, ness arises from making this enemy
average income of Indian house- so dangerous as to pose an existential
holds is higher than that of any other threat to ‘us’. Both V.D. Savarkar and
group. In several countries, Indians M.S. Golwalkar singled out Muslims
are among the top earners. A 2012 and not the British colonialists as that
estimate of the diaspora’s wealth was existential threat to Hindus. Fascism
$1 trillion. Ten years later, that figure takes root only when a large section
would have increased substantially. If of the targeted population is won
we add the collective economic heft over by this perception of an existen-
of Indians abroad to India’s GDP, tial threat. This means that it cannot
which will be $ 3.5 trillion at the end be restricted to ‘them versus us’ only
of March, there’s little doubt Indi- in the cultural sense. It is simply not a
ans in the most fundamental sense matter of difference in religion, eth-
already generate an economic value nicity or identity. ‘They’ must pose an
well over $5 trillion. India as defined existential threat to ‘us’.
by its national boundaries will likely State repression and violence
have a GDP of $5 trillion by 2025 but become necessary to eliminate this
the India that includes those abroad existential threat to the majority.
and invested in the India story is al- However, the enemy may be exter-
ready a $5 trillion-plus powerhouse. nal or internal. When the two are
In business, network effects fused into one, the base for fascism
kick in when the value of a product becomes stronger. If the enemy is
is intrinsically tied to the increase another nation, we require muscular
in the number of users. Imagine the nationalism. If the enemy is internal,
network effect of human beings – extensive internal surveillance and
the network effect of high-earning, repression of dissent from journal-
high-performing Indians abroad Prime Minister Narendra Modi greets during the Economic Times Global Business Summit at ists, academics or other parts of civil
entirely invested in the idea of In- Hotel Taj Palace, in New Delhi on Friday (ANI) society become necessary. Muscular
dia’s progress. PM Modi knows the nationalism is combined with hate
immense value of the diaspora, Jain speeches and songs preparing ‘us’ for
noted in his GBS address. But busi- per capita income, unemployment, per cent in India own more than 60 unleashing violence on ‘them’. ‘Na-
ness leaders and policymakers, in- food consumption, housing and san- per cent of the country’s total wealth tional security against terrorism’ is
cluding those attending the summit, itation — the proportion that can be while the bottom 50 per cent own the name of the game that is played
must think of many more ways of classified as poor will be between 25- just 3 per cent of the wealth. In their on the internal and external fronts.
integrating the diaspora’s economic 40 per cent in different states. Inequality Report 2022, Chancel, The fascist government reserves the
dynamism to the India story. The pandemic years (2020-22), Piketty and others estimated that the right to define ‘national security’ and
the persisting inflation (CPI inflation bottom 50 per cent got only 13 per also ‘terrorism’.
-- Opinion, The Times of India
6.52 per cent) and unemployment cent of the national income. This justifies the manipulation of
WHO ARE THE POOR? (Urban 8.1 per cent, Rural 7.6 per The top 5 to 10 per cent (7 to the Constitution and law as collater-
cent) have only made the situation 14 crore people) flaunt their wealth, al damages in the service of contain-
very finance minister (FM) will worse. The start of 2023 has been spend and consume, which gives the ing this existential threat.
boast that his/her government ominous. Big companies are laying ‘shine’ to the market. (The annual
Ehas the poor at the center of its off employees in the thousands. High production in India of Lamborghinis -- Amit Bhaduri, The Telegraph (India)
policies and programmes. That is fair unemployment rates are creeping is sold out for 2023 and the company Every week, we look at what the top
because there is a significant propor- into the educated middle class, too. is accepting only orders for delivery commentators in the Indian media are
tion of the population of India that is Growing inequality in India has in 2024. The lowest priced model in talking about and bring to you a slice
poor. Estimates may vary, but taking exposed many truths. According to India costs Rs 3.15 crore, ex-show- of their opinions and comments
into account only a few indicators — the Oxfam report, the wealthiest 5 room.) They are the ultra-rich.

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