Discovering the Divide: Why New India Isn’t Bharat – Part 1: A New Era of Governance?

India’s democracy is complicated. At its heart, it’s supposed to reflect the people’s will, but often, it feels like a game played by the wealthy elite and powerful politicians. Elections are influenced by two main forces: the power of money and popular movements. Many voters end up swayed by flashy campaigns fueled by wealthy donors. This reality raises questions about whether true democracy can thrive when financial interests overshadow the voices of ordinary citizens.

Despite being one of the largest democracies in the world, India faces challenges that threaten its ideals of equality and freedom. The dreams of many remain unfulfilled, and political corruption often seems to stifle progress. There are reports from the National Family Health Survey showing troubling statistics: millions of Indians face hunger regularly. With around 19 crore people living in poverty, the promise of a prosperous democracy doesn’t feel reachable for many.

Interestingly, as India boasts about being a top economy—ranked fifth in the world—the lives of most citizens tell a different story. With a burgeoning labor force, job creation is stagnant; the unemployment rate recently spiked from 7% to 9.2%. Experts highlight that while the economy produces goods and services, actual employment opportunities aren’t keeping pace. The wealth gap is alarming, with the richest 10% holding 80% of the wealth, while the lower 50% struggle with just 6.4%. This harsh inequality echoes beyond mere numbers; it reflects a society where a few thrive at the expense of the many.

Dr. Mukesh Jindal, an academic from Delhi University, points out a startling contradiction: even though India is celebrated as a fast-growing economy, the real increase in per capita income over the past two decades is only 7.8%—far less than many assume. This discrepancy makes it tough for the average citizen to see the fruits of this growth. Further compounding the issue, India’s economic reforms have led to jobless growth, especially since the reforms of 1991.

While there is hope that changes could be made, past attempts at policies like the National Employment Policy have fallen short. Without a comprehensive approach to address job creation and support for workers, many find themselves in a system designed to benefit a wealthy minority rather than the whole of society.

Recent data from the Economic Survey 2024-25 indicates that profit levels among major companies are rising significantly, yet the wages for workers are declining. For example, male workers have seen their real wages decrease by 6.4%, while female workers faced an even steeper drop of 12.5%. This disparity questions the very nature of progress in a supposedly thriving economy.

Social media reactions reflect growing frustration among young people regarding job scarcity and rising costs of living. The demand for government jobs has increased as they continue to represent a lifeline for many, particularly the poor who lack resources for education and training.

As India ventures into the future, it’s vital for its political framework to genuinely serve its citizens rather than protect the interests of the elite. Real change requires not just economic growth but shared prosperity where every Indian can envision a better tomorrow.

For more insights about India’s economic trajectory and its implications for democracy, you can explore the findings in the Economic Survey 2024-25 here.

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