Aug 07, 2007 05:00 PM
3916 Views
I read this book in one sitting, its rather an easy read. As an outsider (not middle class) the comments are
Though one sided a good reading;
I agree middle class is really muddle class , which regulates the thinking of nation;
Tone is highly cynical and one sided; Surprisingly, author is one sided and the tone is almost like a
lamentation of a sermon by religous/modern-indian-communists against
consumerism.
Some points raised are well taken but the analysis is weak and the author comes out predecided
Middle class bashing is OK ( as far as some consumerism-not all and english media bias?)
Always refers to Ghandi-Nehru as demi-gods/authority without much analysis of their superficial
ideas their economic and moral thinking; ( Both Gandhi-Nehru are from english educated middle
class by definition)
Author is always defensive on Nehru's ideology and every reference made? - Old beurcratic style
From history of last 60 years from 1947 one can see clearly all superficial ideologies of Gandi-Nehru are found to be irrelevent (in 3-generations) except communal harmony as practiced by them.
Authors definition of middle class is wooly
Middle-class (at 1947) :- English educated, super influential parasites of system.
Now ( it looks every family who sends his child for english education and buys a TV)
Middle-class :- ( neither landlords, princes; capitalists nor below povery line) so every one from farmers, professionals, small businesses and every guy who can send his child for english education has become middle class to have better job or so-called education.
So the ranting is aginst such a large section of people. But one can see these people come from all castes and religions and are upward mobile and not some idealists / intellectuals neither can read this book. So 90% of middle class now is not middle class, thay are united by only upward mobiliy and consumerism, i.e not exactly a crime.
He surprisingly avoids the following
- Beauracratic-class ( Self-centered serving interests of British; now serving political class)
Author is a IFS? a beurecrat it it
Political Class ( Nascent when british left - cancerous now)
Does n't see any flaws in our constitution writers ( resulting in Mrs Gandhis dictator ship)
Does'nt cover how corruption became so rampant ( Nehru-Mrs. Ghandhi legacy)
Author strongly feels all ills whould have been stopped by middle class; like some omnipotent Ram; As we know they don'nt count in electoral politics practiced from 1947.
Direct taxed and IT collections ( by center alone) have crossed 1 lac crores in 2007 in contrast to authors predictions and whoe its spent. 90 % goes to states ( where CMs are 5 year dictators); The money is spent on the following way
Distributed to political and beurecratic / their contractors and huge salary budget to babu's who
stopped working long ago.
- Political instability has increased(100s of parties? is it because of more poor people?)
( All united on pro-corruption, illegal activities; dolling out to special interest groups for next
elections) - rich guys can buy them - eg:- as one can see demolitions (illegally constructed
trading establishments) stopped by all political parties.
I fear author has overlooked large no of issues inconvenient to his point of view. As one can see our former EC says "politicians has become cancer"; I add "Bureaucracy/corruption has become a virus every were" middle class must pay even to get a water connection lawfully.
--- Let us have some analysis of history has said from 1998 - 2007"
-- bye