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Synopsis
In this powerful and insightful critique, the author examines the evolution of the Indian middle class during the twentieth century, especially since Independence.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
What is middle class?
Is it the 'consumers'? Though we can always question the term 'middle class' and its origins (my leftist friends talk about the class system and the class struggle), this book does capture the momentum and the rise of the 'consumer class' in India. India opened up to the rest of the world after almost 50 years of closed, socialist economy in 1992 and since then the emergence of new social structures and the dynamic movement of markets and consumers has been breathtaking. Ushered and pushed by the satellite or cable TV as it is called in India, there is new found consumerism and movement towards an open capitalist economy.
Is it all happening for good? Not necessarily, Pavan Varma's book questions some of the developments in this area. An interesting framework, even if you disagree with some of the insights and deliberations. Worth a read if you are outside India and interested in knowing more about India. 250 million new consumers will play an important role on your business/job independent of the place you may be in.
Format:Paperback
Varma describes how the Indian middle class has viewed itself through history. First he described how the attitude of Indian civil servants changed during the rise of the independence movement. Later he described the rise of corruption that followed the death of Nehru. And finally he gives some of the background behind the rise of BJP in Indian politics.
I think that Varna wrote the book to puncture the positive image that the Indian middle class has of itself. I can't judge if this mission succeeded, but as a westerner working in India I learned a lot of basic Indian history from reading this book.
I think that Varna wrote the book to puncture the positive image that the Indian middle class has of itself. I can't judge if this mission succeeded, but as a westerner working in India I learned a lot of basic Indian history from reading this book.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
4 reviews
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
A poignant reminder of the individual's social obligations
26 Nov 1999
Format:Hardcover
Varma's book makes absobing reading. It is a compelling narrative of the origins and progress of the large middle class in India, and gently but firmly, the author establishes the need for increasing social involvement of the people in shaping the destiny of India. Students of Indian history, anthropology, politics as well as economics, will do well to study this important book.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Perceptive Analysis
8 Jun 2008
Format:Paperback
I wrote a long lengthy review on my own blog at: bummersrecluse.blogspot dot com. I was impressed by the book. My review basically is summarized in this paragraph:
"The message of the author can be summed up in a few sentences. It is the critique of this class and not its glorification. Essentially he is pointing to the moral bankruptcy of the middle class which is guided solely by its self-interest, and has become incapable of seeing anything beyond it. The message is more than relevant in a country like India, which houses worlds richest and yet the percentage poverty is worse than that in sub-Saharan Africa. The author does conclude therefore, even though he spends only a few words on it: That such a divide which is only widening every day is unrealistic. Unless the middle class wakes up from its revelry, and looks beyond its self-interest, its prosperity itself is in danger as the widening economic gap can only bring turmoil and political instability."
I took a star away from the book because Verma digresses in his fourth chapter from objective analysis to vague subjective theories based on culture and mythology.
"The message of the author can be summed up in a few sentences. It is the critique of this class and not its glorification. Essentially he is pointing to the moral bankruptcy of the middle class which is guided solely by its self-interest, and has become incapable of seeing anything beyond it. The message is more than relevant in a country like India, which houses worlds richest and yet the percentage poverty is worse than that in sub-Saharan Africa. The author does conclude therefore, even though he spends only a few words on it: That such a divide which is only widening every day is unrealistic. Unless the middle class wakes up from its revelry, and looks beyond its self-interest, its prosperity itself is in danger as the widening economic gap can only bring turmoil and political instability."
I took a star away from the book because Verma digresses in his fourth chapter from objective analysis to vague subjective theories based on culture and mythology.
A Must Read for any Indian worried about our current social plight!
1 Oct 2008
Format:Paperback
This is a wonderful work with real issue and their actual cause.
You read this book and you will be able to directly relate with the problems(e.g. corruption, regionalism and urban-rural divide) that we are facing in our society.
It has been such an eye opener for me and I think I better understand how we should approach from this point onwards to correct problems in our society.
The irony is that, we are still making same mistake. The white-collor is running the country without knowing and caring for the lower-class (economically).
If only some polticians can read this and try to identify their mistakes, we may start seeing transformation.
You read this book and you will be able to directly relate with the problems(e.g. corruption, regionalism and urban-rural divide) that we are facing in our society.
It has been such an eye opener for me and I think I better understand how we should approach from this point onwards to correct problems in our society.
The irony is that, we are still making same mistake. The white-collor is running the country without knowing and caring for the lower-class (economically).
If only some polticians can read this and try to identify their mistakes, we may start seeing transformation.
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