DesiPundit

When I read commentators in the Indian Blogosphere, especially those who dismiss and even malign Pankaj Mishra for pointing out that there are still a lot of problems in India, one thing that stands out is what I would describe as a lingering inferiority complex. The “India Shining” bloggers detest Mishra because they think his critiques of India’s growth sully the emerging positive image India, or at least the “India Shining” optimists, has of itself.

I think the question you raise first begs the following question: What would bring India glory? If the answer is simply a 10% growth rate, then I would say India is absolutely headed for glory. But if the answer is “to be seen by the rest of the world as an example of development resulting in balanced growth that raises the quality of life for people at all levels of society,” then perhaps India is not headed for glory.

I would like to see more discussion of (a) what it would actually mean for India to achieve glory, and (b) ideas for how India can harness its growth so that there is less concentration of wealth at the top (assuming there is agreement that concentration of wealth at the top would not bring India glory in and of itself).