growing up in india essay

Growing Up a Desi Girl: What It Means to Be Between Two Worlds

When I'm presented with a "Where are you from?" I usually run through this multiple-choice quiz in my head:

a. Say that I'm American and be prodded to admit where I'm really from, as though being born on native soil isn't enough of a token of my American-ness.

b. Say that I'm Indian and sit through the whole FAQ, ("Wait, red dot Indian or Native American? Do you eat curry every night? Do your parents speak English? Will your marriage be arranged?")

c. Say "around here" and fake that I have to go to the bathroom.

I roll the dice with options A-C, depending on how much energy I have that day. But, the truth is? I'm not sure myself some days.

Being a woman of color, people often press you even harder on that "Where are you from?" question. Questions that are often considered harmless can sometimes result in an awkward, stumbling identity crisis. My standard reply of, "California, around the SF… Bay Area," never seems to placate people, because my tan skin, big dark eyes, and thick eyebrows betray me. I don't look like I'm really American to a lot of people (read: sun-kissed, California-beach-blonde beauty), and so the label never quite fits. Add in the fact that my name is "Nikita" and I've truly thrown the audience a plot twist. Is she from here? Is she mixed-race? Is she an alien? Stay tuned to find out!

I've lived in four big cities in under 18 years: Chicago, New Delhi, San Francisco, and New York. New York is now home, and technically because my family is in California, so is San Francisco. It's odd to juggle specific regional identities that pertain to the U.S. only while negotiating the complications of my ethnic and cultural identities as well. Saying I'm from California means something different to people than "American," and saying I'm Indian carries other implications. Plus, the "Indian" identity is an umbrella term for a series of different identities all woven together by a similar overarching cultural thread and a political boundary. India is a vast country with dozens of languages, cuisines, and more — no two Indian experiences can ever neatly intersect.

Perhaps if I were entirely born and raised in America, I'd feel as though I wasn't too Indian to fit under "American" neatly. And, maybe if I didn't spend the better part of my 21 years in America, I'd feel better just saying I am Indian. I love being Indian, but sometimes I don't feel Indian enough, really. I am Indian. I am American. I am Indian-American. Neither there, nor there — but somewhere in between.

I lived in India for the better part of the first 5 years of my life, and once I moved back to the U.S., I immediately felt alien amongst my classmates. With my broken English, my funny accent, and the fact that I had no idea who Pikachu was, I may as well have been from another planet. I was a quick study, though: I laboriously repaired my accent, always making sure to pronounce my Vs and Ws correctly, and never allowing my Rs to linger on my tongue for too long; I watched all the "Blue's Clues" I could get my hands on; I asked my parents to take me to movies, the works. However, despite all my efforts otherwise, I felt culturally inept.

So I stepped up my efforts. I began shirking my Indian-ness and wholly adopting American culture in an attempt to fit in. I spent the better part of my teenage years acting as though my own culture was backwards, primitive, and something worth being ashamed of. I turned up my nose at Indian food, maligned religion, and was just kind of a brat. "I'm like, the whitest Indian girl like, ever," and all that jazz. I tried so desperately to lose all the things that made me different so that I could fall into a dominant narrative that wasn't mine and didn't need to be mine — despite how much the world sometimes made (and still makes) me feel otherwise.

I had made an error in naively assuming that assimilating wholeheartedly would make my life easier, but the truth is: whiteness didn't fit. And somehow, full on Indian-ness didn't either, given that I was (mostly) raised and schooled in America. I didn't feel as though I could relate to either fairly. In retrospect? As much as I desperately wanted one label or the other to fit in an absolutist fashion, they never needed to: it's okay to be who I am, the way I am. I think I fall somewhere in between Indian and American; I am the definition of a hyphenated, hybrid identity.

The truth is, it's okay to feel like you're neither here nor there — we are all shaped by the experiences we've lived through. There is no right way to be Indian, and there is no right way to be American. We're formed by our individual experiences and beliefs, and it's daunting to collapse millions of experiences into one label for a curious stranger (or even yourself!). It is normal to feel confused by your own identity from time to time, to feel like an enigma. Trust me though — as much as the world keeps making you feel like an absolute weirdo, you are not. Learning and knowing that I have a place in this world has been healing; finding people who have shared similar struggles, experiences, and stories has been instrumental. Know that you are not entirely alone, and as you go through life you will encounter your people.

I still don't know how to really answer that dreaded question, though. I'll keep rolling the dice and get back to you.

*Editor's Note: This headline has been adjusted from "Growing Up Indian and American" since its original publish date to reflect that Neelam Gill, the model pictured, is Indian and British.

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Growing Up in India

by Nissi Undurthi

Tall coconut trees, dirt road, and small sweatshops along the narrow road–these are the images that flash before my eyes as I think of my village. Located in the coastal area of South India, my village provided for a perfect backdrop for a wonderful childhood. Fifteen years of my life there holds such fond memories with lots of fun and laughter as well as experiences that I will continue to learn from and encounters I am forever impacted by. 

As a child, many of my memories include not only my two siblings but also a lot of other children from my street as we all played, studied, and often ate together.  Every evening after school, the dirt road that comes off from the main road became our playground with occasional interruptions from cyclists, herds of goats or buffaloes. We had many local games such as “kho-kho” or “kabaddi” or cricket, most of which involved lots of running around, singing or shouting out to other players. Often, we played until our moms yelled for us to come home for dinner. Studying was also a lot of fun as we shared text books and quizzed each other on lessons. At one point in time, one of us acquired a bicycle from their older sibling and our evenings filled with us each taking turns learning to ride it. In our group, we all came from different families, caste backgrounds, and religions, however, we had shared fun memories and no differences were ever expressed. 

South Indian family structure traditionally is built on strict patriarchal roots and values. While women and children are important members of the family, the husband/father is the head of the family and the primary (or often sole) decision maker. In more traditional families, this honor belongs to the grandfather. The hierarchy goes like this: grandfather, grandmother, father, mother, any male children, and any female children regardless of who’s older or younger. All families in the community have rules of behavior adhering to their social divisions of caste, social status, and religion. While all children have the responsibility of maintaining family honor and traditions, the way these are lived out differ for boys and girls. Families who send their children to schools expect them to succeed in order to maintain or improve their financial means. There is always an expectation that the children will give back to their family and community. Despite a free education in the local public schools, male children often follow their parents to work in the paddy fields, while female children are restricted to a certain number of years of schooling–after which they are confined to home life to prepare for marriage or be married off. Girls in my village also have a specific responsibility to keep themselves pure and innocent, protecting their family’s honor by protecting their body. Often, girls of age are restricted from going outside to avoid contact with potential danger whether it is for play or school.

Out of the many stories I have been a part of in my village, the story of Vinayak always saddens me. I met him when I was in middle school and he would call me “ Akka,” aka “older sister.” He was raised by a single mother and has a younger brother. For a couple of years, he went to school and was on his way to fulfilling his expectation of soon helping his family through his education. However, because of bad friendships he dropped out of school. The more he started to do things that upset our community, the more he was reprimanded and isolated. One day, he attempted to steal from the house of a village elder and was caught in the act. That was the last straw. He was permanently seen as a negative influence in our community and the elders stopped guiding him. He was still a teenager at the time. 

When I think of him, I think of how we played and laughed together. I think of all the possibilities of a bright future that was halted. I think of his mother weeping and yearning to see him change. I also think of how young he was, with a full life ahead of him. A part of my hope for my community draws me to this life I observed and interacted. 

Childhood anywhere is valuable and the initial experiences and encounters often influence and impact us strongly and for a long time. Some of the hindrances to a better childhood in my village are cultural and as a result, solutions need to be sensitive to that context  When families and individuals come together to not only recognize this importance but also implement ways to better the life of children and strive to provide and encourage the necessary elements such as education, then that becomes the beginning for resilient communities. 

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Growing up in India

Updated 28 September 2023

Subject Experience ,  Myself ,  Child Development

Downloads 37

Category Life ,  Psychology

Topic Childhood

We were a simple family of five. My parents and my two siblings, before we were joined by our cousin who was orphaned at an early age. My mother has not gone through school, and my dad is a Hindu priest and has a college equivalent degree. My younger brother just completed his high school and my little sister is still in Grade 1 school. I have a loving and caring family that I would not trade for anything.

I was born in the U.S Florida, but when I was around one and a half years old, I moved to India while my parents stayed back to earn a living. I lived in India with my grandparents for about seven years. Moving back to the US proved to be such a challenge since I had forgotten how to speak English. It felt like I was learning a new language altogether. I had gotten used to the local dialect and almost treated it like the only existing language.

I attended my early school years in India while I lived with my grandparents. The school was fun but getting there was the problem. We had to walk for two kilometers before we could get to take a bus to school. The walk was often tiring, and the temperatures were always unbearable. We ended up sleeping on the bus on our way to school. Our resilience and perseverance grew at this point since we loved going to school and never complained at all. I had friends at school who were very playful and sharp at the same time. We often excelled. I remember in my last exam to join grade one, I was the best student and was awarded a 'Beauty and the Beast' storybook and some other prices.

In India, we lived in a small town called Gochar. The people around here lived as one community, and as kids, we could play and mingle with others. It was not a closed society like most cities in the U.S. When I was growing up we had a variety of outdoor games, and it would involve kids from all over the neighborhood. We played skipping ropes, football, hide and seek and running competitions; this made us grow into fit and healthy kids. Games were often played between 4 pm and 6 pm. Kids would naturally gather around, and one would think they have automatic timers in their brains. Time had to be strictly kept avoiding punishments. We often played before shower since the dust involved in the games was often immense. We would end up so tired that sleeping in the night never became a problem; it was so much fun. The games we played opened up our minds and helped us with school without even knowing it.

We grew up in an era where the kids belong to the society and could be punished by anyone whatsoever. An adult would not watch a child mess up and let them go unpunished. They would be scolded at the very moment. We were taught to obey adults regardless of whether you knew them or not. That kind of environment shaped me into a fine adult that I am now, obedient and straightforward.

I attended primary school around the home then proceeded to boarding school for my secondary education. Boarding school was not interesting considering we did not have access to goodies and nicely cooked food. The school had a routine to be followed which made life rather apparent than spontaneous. Either way, we had to find ways of living that life and having some fun. Games sessions and weekends were my favorite. We would be free for a while, and one could do something out of the norm like taking a nap in the afternoon. High school life, for a reason, taught me a lot of independence and responsibility. I would quickly look out for myself and handle any crisis that happened to cross my path. It has also built my mental toughness.

We had this small community of very loving and caring people. Life around was excellent and comfortable with routines that we all loved to follow. There was a lot of farming going on within the community. As it is, the staple food in this area was fish and rice. We planted a lot of rice in the fields and fish in the fish ponds. We had seasons of planting, weeding and harvesting each of which was accompanied by small celebrations, especially harvest. One stunning thing about this community was the fact that nobody was considered rich or poor. We were all equals.

Growing up in this environment transformed me into a very responsible and respectful adult. Life instilled within me virtues that would help me live well among different people. I have learned to treat each person as a brother or a sister, always willing to offer help in times of need. I am very grateful for all those who have been a part of my life. It has been worth living.

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Home — Essay Samples — Entertainment — Documentary — The Growing Up and Development of Girls in India in The World Before Her, a Documentary by Nisha Pahuja

The Growing Up and Development of Girls in India in The World before Her, a Documentary by Nisha Pahuja

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Published: Oct 22, 2018

Words: 481 | Page: 1 | 3 min read

The World Before Her

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Essay: Growing up Jewish in India

Being a member of a micro minority has its own share of confusions but a new generation of indian jews has embraced customs of the majority community while continuing to hold on to their own traditions.

My favourite story is about a young TV anchor who could not pronounce my name nor believe that I was a Jew. She was surprised that I looked like an Indian and spoke fluent Gujarati. I suppose it’s because I do not stand out in an Indian crowd and it is difficult to immediately gauge that I am a Bene Israel Jew. The anchor had also collected some misleading information that I had been living in Israel and had only recently arrived in India. She expressed surprise that I had become Indian in such a short time! All this after I gave her an hour-long lecture about the history of Jews in India. She was not convinced. Sometimes this can be annoying and also amusing.

Ever since my childhood and during my teens and subsequently too, with a name like mine, I was often asked about my religion, community, city, village, region and country of origin. When I said, “I am a Bene Israel Jew”, most people behaved like they understood and began talking in superlatives about the agricultural expertise of Israel. From their expressions, I knew, of course, that they were confused. The next question invariably was whether I was from Israel.

Wearily, I’d respond with “I am an Indian”.

Today, there are about 4000 Jews in India, with about 140 in Gujarat, which makes us a mini-microscopic-minority community. About 2000 years ago, while fleeing the persecution of Greek warlords, a community of Jews arrived in India from Israel after their ship was wrecked off the coast of Alibaug in Maharashtra.

Jews have never faced persecution in India and live in peace with other communities. What I like best about being a minority in India is that it allows me to be who I am. We have been a part of India and will continue to be so.

Jews have been living in India for so long that to preserve their Jewish identity, the elders had created a list of rules. Through the years, I have learnt to deal with these restrictions and feel comfortable at the synagogue in Ahmedabad, for New Year celebrations, Yom Kippur prayers, Friday Shabbat prayers or when the Shofar is blown for certain festivals. On these occasions, prayers are chanted in Hebrew, but we speak in Marathi, Gujarati and English.

I feel attracted to Indian festivals, but I often feel like an outsider too.

My outsider syndrome continues to bother me even at the synagogue. As I am not fully conversant with Jewish rituals, there are moments when I feel like a minority within a minority community. Indeed, I am the classic example of the insider who suffers from the outsider syndrome.

When we lived with my grandmother, we kept the Shabbat, celebrated festivals and helped her to prepare the ‘malida’ platter or traditional food, as she made sure that the whole family went to the synagogue for community gatherings.

I was very close to her.

Later, my parents moved out of the old family home and into a small rented house. Suddenly, the warmth and religious traditions that my grandmother had embodied disappeared. These reappeared much later in my life, when I started writing about the Jewish ethos in India. It was during this period that I began researching being Indian and Jewish, which brought me closer to my community.

It was almost like living a secret inner Jewish life.

When I work on a novel, I feel a sense of excitement. I am fascinated by this transformation, which actually started when I wanted to understand the Jewish community, which connects me to the Jewish Diaspora. My interest in Jewish artifacts, rites, rituals, and beliefs intermingled with Indian traditions and entered my novels.

Earlier, during Navratri, Jews could not participate in the raas-garba nor could we wear shimmering chaniya-choli suits, so we would sit on the sidelines aching to be part of the festivities. But in the 1960s, while I was a student at Vadodara’s fine arts college, I cheated and danced in borrowed dresses and even won prizes… So then why not play Holi! Surprisingly, I did not feel guilty about these closely guarded secrets.

Much later in 2012, I felt a sense of victory, when a young Jewish woman convinced her parents to organise a sangeet as part of her wedding celebrations a day before her traditional Jewish mehendi ceremony. Happily, I dressed in a sari to participate in this historical moment when almost everybody came dressed in chaniya-choli suits and the men wore fancy kurtas and churidars .

Since then, the raas-garba , organized in the pavilion next to the synagogue, has become a regular feature.

Through the years, I have also learnt to create confusion about my name. On the telephone, very few people catch the pronunciation and I quickly change Esther to Asha or Astha and peace prevails at the other end of the line. Even the surname helps as I change David to Devi, suddenly becoming Asha Devi! Sometimes, I wish my name was a simple Mina Patel or Lata Shah. Well, whatever my name, as I often say, I am definitely a Good-Jew – Gujju!

Esther David is an author. Her latest book is Bene Apetit; The Cuisine of Indian Jews.

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Winning Essays: Growing Up Indian In America

Atlanta, GA, July 14: Last month, we asked Indian-American teens to submit an essay on the topic, ‘Growing up Indian in America’. We had a total of 15 submissions; seven in the senior age group (16-18 years) and eight in the junior group (13-15 years).

“It was good to see the perspectives of these youngsters,” said Ajay Vishwanathan, one of the judges. “From being embarrassed by their Indian lunches to becoming aware (and eventually respectful) of the space they occupy between the two cultures, the experiences were intriguing to read.” The other judges echoed his sentiments.

We are pleased to feature the two winning essays, one from each category. Congratulations to the winners! Later this month, we will feature other notable essays.

Diversity Within Diversity (Winner, Senior Category)

Imperialism. It’s a word that the entire world was familiar with when Great Britain was a force to be reckoned with. Snatching up territory to expand its sphere of influence, the unassuming island claimed lands from the bottom tip of Africa to the northern regions of the Americas.India was also caught in its wide cast net, tangled in fishing line, but jumped to turn back to water.

In the traditional sense of the word, imperialism is now obsolete. Countries don’t stake claim to territories; they influence others by diplomacy, military, and most importantly, culture.America’s cultural imperialism is very subtle, taking the form of a boosted denim industry in Korea and a greater likelihood of spotting a Kentucky Fried Chicken in India. If my India-dwelling counterpart is swaying from her traditional Indian culture, then how am I, a first generation America-dwelling desi, supposed to stick to mine? This imperialism is not only the root of an internal struggle, but also led to the birth of the American-born Confused Desi (ABCD).

This person will be ready to eat a Domino’s pizza, while secretly craving some biryani, butter chicken, and saag paneer. This person loves to go to football games, but also gets up at 5 to watch the India-Pakistan cricket match. This person perfects the art of the Indian mono-braid at a young age, and later perfects the art of the messy bun.

But sometimes, this dual-culture can be confusing. Do we go to the new Hollywood blockbuster with trendy actors, or do we go to the run-down theater on the other side of town to see the Bollywood box office hit? Do we press a single button on our car sound system to get English music, or do we shuffle through our Hindi music playlists on our phones while simultaneously rushing to find the aux cord at a red light? How many times can we make a conscious decision to immerse ourselves in American culture before we can no longer make a list of the Top 10 Shah Rukh and Kajol moments from film, or forget the words to our favorite Hindi song? How much time does it take for us before keeping up with Bollywood movies, Hindi songs, Indian sports and current events becomes too taxing?

Being an American-born Confused Desi is difficult. We dwell on the dichotomy between American and Indian culture, with a cultivated respect for both. We go through phases where being Indian is easier, but usually the American phase predominates. Maybe some can sit on the bridge between the two, but such cases are regarded as rare.

However, even the most ‘white-washed’ Indian treasures and possesses the remnants of his Indian heritage. He might wear Polos and Sperry’s to school, but he still remembers how to play the tabla from the lessons he took as an elementary school kid. She might refuse to speak Hindi at home, but she will always oil up her rusty vocabulary before speaking on the phone with her thamma. And even the most ‘fresh off the boat’ Indian still captures part of the essence of American culture growing up, despite his boycott on Hollister tees and McDonald’s fries.

ABCDs lie on a spectrum of Indian-American culture, but can never reach one side completely. This diversity within diversity is what makes the Indian community inAmericaremarkable. Instead of consisting of two primary colors blue and yellow, an American-born Confused Desis is one of thousands of shades of green. We might have struggled growing up in two worlds, but as young adults, we appreciate our unique cultural perspectives, our atypical social experiences, and our great fortune of having been born into a culture with such a storied past and present.

We are criticized for being too Indian by Americans, and too American by Indians. But by our own standards, we are all sitting on a bridge together.

-Ananya Ghose Age: 16 School: ChattahoocheeHigh School

 A World Split Between Two Cultures (Winner, Junior Category)

Culture has a significant role to play on one’s life and defines the character of a person, so being Indian-American, our world is split between two cultures, forcing us to play a dual role. For instance, we spend half-day at school living as an American, and at home experience a true Indian lifestyle. As an Indian in America, we face the world with self-identification issues, are open to a wider selection of opportunities, and have an impact on society from the moment we are born.

We grew up in a society where media has taken over the way children see the world. Wherever they look, they see an ideal American lifestyle which their family differs from. In the United States, Miss America is considered to be the beauty image of the nation. Our Indian community was recognized as a whole when Nina Davuluri was crowned Miss America in the year 2014. In an interview with Fox News, Davuluri stated, “Growing up as a girl, I imagined Miss America to always be the girl next door,” with the intent to emphasize the cultural preferences seen within the United States and its impact on the younger generation.

The differences in skin, eye, and hair color influences insecurities in an average Indian American. Furthermore, Nina Davuluri conveys a negative connotation to her perspective as a young girl to emphasize the idea that young Americans are brainwashed in a way to believe blond hair, white skin, and blue eyes are ideal for beauty and social acceptance.  I have seen many peers at school that conceal their lunch boxes, forgetting the hard work and time their moms spent in preparing their lunch. Children at times feel obligated to conceal what makes them unique because everywhere they look, they see the stereotypical American family. This self-identification problem poses a question whether their lifestyle is “correct”.

Although experiencing life inAmerica as an Indian can be difficult, the positives outweigh the negatives. Young Indian-Americans have already proved by now that we are a ‘cut-above’ in studies than any other ethnicity, several schools’ rating have inclined, where we have predominant Indian population; being bilingual gives Indian-Americans a better comprehensive ability over other peers.

I faced many hardships growing up due to my cultural differences in the  country. I have realized that this culture is worth embracing. I am proud to be in a culture that has expanded so much and by the year 2020, one out of every three Americans will be of Indian descent.  We are given the ability to experience a whole new culture without having to leave the house. This expands our knowledge of the world around us making us more aware of the circumstances we face. The bond of sharing a culture and language makes our Indian society stronger as a whole, allowing us to create stable friendships among one another. In our culture we are fond of putting together events to educate not only the younger generation but non-Indians too. These events open the eyes of many who aren’t aware of the cultures practiced in their own country. As actress Rani Mukerji said, “Once you understand and appreciate other people’s cultural backgrounds, then you can also connect with them more.”

Schools in America contain a diverse group of students, and when we are all put together, we are bound to experience new cultures. During lunch, we see food from all over the world come together in one room, and in social media we see special events held from different cultures. We play a big role in this cycle as we practice our Indian culture because we open the eyes of others that we socialize with. Studies have shown kids who are open to various cultures around the world have an “independent view of themselves”, meaning that they define themselves based on personal traits and characteristics. This is an opportunity for kids to stand out and express themselves in a unique way.

In conclusion, the Indian culture we practice has an everlasting impact on the society we live in. Identity and culture is what builds ethnicity, causing us to face the hardships in life, making us stronger as a person and makes us realize the impact we have on the peers around us.

I am proud to be a part of Indian culture that is full of life, color and various diverse festivities. Our culture believes in unity in diversity, religious tolerance and universal acceptance. The determination and effectiveness of our community to pass on this rich and radiant culture to younger generations puts us in the forefront. As Mahatma Gandhi once said, “A nation’s culture resides in the hearts and in the soul of its people.”

-Pranathi Goli Age: 14 School: Finished 8th grade from Piney Grove Middle School

 ——————————————————

The essays were graded blind by this panel of five judges- all with great writing credentials. Thank you for your time and effort, judges!

• Ajay Vishwanathan has work published or forthcoming in over ninety literary journals, including The Minnesota Review, Sou’wester, Southern Humanities Review, The Potomac, and The Baltimore Review. He’s currently working on a new novel as his completed manuscript, Little Hands of Silk, is being readied by his literary agent to be sent  to potential publishers. One of the editors of Foundling Review, Ajay is the author of  From a Tilted Pail , a short story collection from Queen’s Ferry Press (2014).
• Navami Naik works as Lead, Global Partnerships with the American Cancer Society. Navami has been working in non-profit management for the past 10 years. Prior to this, she worked as a journalist with The Times of India, where she primarily covered issues related to health and education. Navami holds a Master’s degree in Social Service from Bryn Mawr College in Pennsylvania,USA and has trained as a journalist in the United Kingdom.
• Jyothsna Hegde grew up in a house full of ardent readers, and has always enjoyed writing. Being a software engineer and an adjunct faculty at a university in Baltimore hardly left any time to read, let alone write. But after moving to Atlanta, she found an opportunity to write for NRI Pulse and has been part of the newspaper’s editorial team for several years. She hopes to write about real or fictional people and events in way that makes the reader feel part of the experience, and encourages thinking that goes deeper than the surface.​
• Aditya Rao is a 2015 graduate of New York University. While his papers have been published in academic journals, he is fond of creative and essay writing. He also maintains a blog: Bureaumania.wordpress.com .
• Reena Joshi is the owner of WriteRight . WriteRight’s goal is to help all its students from grades 2-12 understand the English concepts tested on all assessments culminating with the SAT and the ACT.  Students are taught to master reading comprehension techniques, conquer confusing vocabulary, and of course, score well on assessments. From constructing basic sentences to constructing SAT and college application essays, WriteRight students learn to consistently write well. The long term goals are high SAT/ACT test scores and acceptance into choice colleges, and so the earlier students start preparation, the better the chances for a higher score, acceptance into choice colleges and scholarships.

  WriteRight has a special offer for NRI Pulse essay contestants and readers:

• All essay contestants – free registration ($100 regular registration) + $50 discount on tuition upon registration for a semester. 
• All readers – free registration upto September 1, 2016 ($100 savings) *must bring the page from NRI Pulse Newspaper that has the essay results on it

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Growing Up with Classic Russian Literature in Rural South India

Deepa bhasthi on her grandfather's collection of cheap soviet-era editions.

“It is to books that I owe everything that is good in me. Even in my youth I realized that art is more generous than people are . . . I am unable to speak of books otherwise than with the deepest emotion and a joyous enthusiasm . . .—I am beyond cure.”

–Maxim Gorky in a preface to a book by P. Mortier, Paris, 1925

My edition of Gorky’s On Literature , which includes the essay On Books quoted above, has a beautiful, asparagus green cover. The “ On “   is printed in neat calligraphy, and the pages are a soothing cream color. It was translated from the Russian by one V. Dober, printed in the USSR, and published by Foreign Languages Publishing House (FLPH), Moscow. The book smells, like all old books, of warmth and magic.

The magic, to the initiated, lies a lot in the name of the publishing house. FLPH—along with Raduga Publishers, Progress Publishers, Mir Publishers and some lesser known others—was an essential part of the growing-up years of a few generations of Indians in the mid-20th century. Starting in the 1950s, until the tail end of the 1980s, the USSR spent a lot of money and manpower flooding India with Russian literature classics, children’s books, science and technology textbooks, philosophy, handbooks on political and social theory, and other reading material meant to demonstrate the grit and glory of the Motherland. In the thick of the Cold War years, India and the USSR maintained very cordial relations, with a dedicated focus on cultural exchange, a strategy longer lasting and perhaps more penetrative than political rhetoric. While the Tolstoys and Pushkins bombarded India, Hindi movies became extremely popular in the Soviet states. Curiously, Indian literature—and Russian movies—did not cross over in the same way.

Moscow set up several publishing houses whose sole purpose was to produce books for the Indian market. These books were translated into English and most other major Indian languages in Moscow and then distributed in India at incredibly low prices. Each book cost a few cents, half a dollar or so at their most expensive. Nearly all were gorgeously illustrated, often with grand calligraphic flourishes. In a socialist era, the low cost of the books was a great incentive, and generations of Indian readers grew up as familiar with Olgas, Borises, and Sashas as they would be with Rama and Arjuna and the rest of the in-house mythological pantheon of our traditionally told tales.

What continues to intrigue me is the reach of these distribution networks, down to the smallest of towns. I grew up in a village in the hills, a blip on the map of South India. To this day we do not have a bookstore in town, except for the newspaper vendor who stocks select pulp fiction titles alongside gossip tabloids and the day’s newspapers. And when I was growing up, there were no online marketplaces to log on to, of course. But there was Grandpa and his books from Russia.

My grandfather was a famous doctor in those parts and is still remembered 35 years after his death. He also participated in the Indian Independence movement, went to prison, and came out a Communist leader who ran for election and grandly lost. He lent money he knew would never be returned, treated more people for free than he ought to have (what with a dozen mouths to feed at home), allowed his clinic to be a gathering place for idealists, and invited hippies home whenever they passed through town. And he read, my grandpa; he read everything .

He died six months before I was born. Sometimes, Grandma would look at me and quietly remark that I had inherited his forehead. Everyone else wordlessly noted that my own years of rebellion, of being liberal and Left in a family that remains traditionally Right, came from him. No one said so openly, lest I see that as a fillip. But despite never meeting my grandfather, I would come to know him well, for I grew up knowing his books well. When he died, he left behind a vast collection that—because I was born in the house he lived in, because the rest of the family didn’t seem much interested in such heretic literature—I inherited entirely.

The bulk of his library was made up of books published by Raduga and other Russian publishing houses of its ilk. It was thus that by age ten or so, the first grownup book I read was Maxim Gorky’s Mother. Without a bookstore in town, without siblings on the homestead, the kinds of books I was supposed to have been reading I had long read, read, and re-read by then. I must have picked up  Mother on a desperate summer afternoon. I remember the cover distinctly: A babushka with a scarf on her head, holding a box suitcase in one hand, poised to walk off the edge. Her face has worry lines; the times in which she lived were surely hard. I would thereafter pick up many Tolstoys, Pushkins, and Dostoyevskys, though it would take me over a decade more to truly appreciate the language and the nuances of these old favorites.

Now and again over the years, I have tried searching online for more information about these Soviet-era publishing houses. Though there are several websites and blogs managed by fans of these books, there is little official history. Mostly, the sites offer readers a place to list the titles they have, post photos of covers and inner illustrations, and exchange nostalgic notes about how much they loved growing up with these books.

Depending on which version of the story you want to believe, the FLHP was founded to centralize all literature meant for non-USSR readers. Sometime in the 1960s, or perhaps in 1931—no one seems to be able to decide on an exact time period—FLHP became Progress Publishers. Their logo was a combination of the Sputnik satellite and the Russian alphabet’s “P.” A couple of decades later, Raduga was formed to take over the publication of all classic literature titles, some contemporary writers, and some children’s books. Mir, working alongside Raduga, managed the science and technology titles. (A hardback pocket book on astronomy called Space Adventures in your Home by F. Rabiza fueled astronomer ambitions early in my childhood, until a physics class in high school made it clear this was an unrealistic life choice). Novosti Press Agency Publishing House for pamphlets and booklets, and Aurora Publishers in Leningrad for art books, rounded out the international Soviet publishing scene.

In a city I very briefly lived in during the early 1990s, my dad had found used copies of something called Misha , published by Pravda Printing Plant. A children’s monthly, it was bilingual, with some sections in English, crosswords with which to learn the Russian language, and cartoons, contests, even a pen-pal section.

These sparse details are all I have. There is nothing on the big wide internet about who the translators of these many books were. On an inside page, when they include a name at all, the books display only the second name of the translator—Babkov, Smirnov, Maron, etc.—preceded by an initial. I imagine translator bios were irrelevant in the greater service of the Motherland. Perhaps most well-known among the few who lent their full names to their works was Ivy Litvinova, the British wife of a Soviet diplomat working at the turn of the 20th century.

I managed to hear once about the son of one such translator, who went from Eastern India to Moscow and was employed to translate the books into Bangla, the language of his state. Translators from several Indian states were housed in apartment blocks with their families; children were born and raised there, and after the split of the USSR, some left, though many stayed back and continue to see out their lives there. I sought this person out, asked him to tell me more, but for reasons I could understand, he stopped answering my messages.

Perhaps like the folk tale of the fox and the sour grapes, it is best to leave the mystery intact instead of lifting the veil and being disappointed in its possible banality.

I hear these books are now fast becoming collectibles. For a generation that came of age at the cusp of that very strange period in India when socialism ended and capitalism was becoming wholeheartedly embraced, these books remain a kind of sentimental paraphernalia. The world depicted in the Russian stories was an exotic one, far removed from the neighborhoods of South India, different in weather, names, food, and façades. But the affordable books made it a world its readers felt able to touch, to sense and know well.

For me, the books also provided access to a second world: the one in which my grandfather lived, read, fought, and loved. I like to think at least some of the choices I make come from what grandpa would have taught me; I am in part the vestiges of who he was. His books are my assurance, my reiteration, my connection to a man I never met but have come, through the library, to know.

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Growing Up Indian in America

A look at the various challenges, triumphs, and facets of the bicultural childhood of Indian-American progeny. A vast difference is evident in the

experiences of those who grew up here in the pioneering days of the ?70s and early ?80s, compared to those from recent times.

By DEEPA AGARWAL

_____________________________________________________________

Suvrat Bhargave, a psychiatrist in solo practice from Fayetteville, Georgia, must have been ten years of age in 1978, when an African-American boy from his elementary school, asked him a question that left him flummoxed. "What are you?" the boy asked Bhargave with apparent intrigue. "Are you black or white?" Not quite sure of the "right answer," Bhargave, surreptitiously double-checked the color of his skin and answered, "I guess I am brown."

Such guileless ignorance of Indian Americans and other foreigners was commonplace in those early days when the local population had yet to savor the winds of multiethnicity that is now in full blast. Worse still, were the apathy and nonchalance towards India and Indians. According to Maya Chandiramani, a graphic designer from Atlanta, "It was tough growing up in the South in the ?70s. People didn't know how to categorize you. So they didn't know what to do with you."

"I used to have classmates ask me if India was in Africa," recalls Swati Fuller, a marketing manager with IBM Corporation, who came to America in 1971 at the impressionable age of six. "My friends would have to find their own ways to relate to me and would confuse me with American-Indians. I mean, there was absolutely no awareness of India or Asia in general," she adds.

Few of the recent immigrants can appreciate the magnitude of transformation of the socio-cultural environment that has taken place in the region in just the last two decades. In the 70s, when the Indian American community was barely starting to take roots, Atlanta was still considered quite modest in the realm of "International" cities. It was a largely homogeneous society where, as we saw, skin colors other than black and white were a rarity.

Whereas today John Kessler, the food critic at Atlanta Journal Constitution revels in the most obscure of world cuisines, if he were around in those days, he'd probably have little more to do than judge barbeques and chili competitions, with perhaps a little Tex Mex thrown in for international measure. Needless to say, dal and roti were hopelessly alien.

It is such a local environ that children of the first wave of Indian immigrants found themselves in; Southern and American outside, Indian at home.

From then till now, the metamorphosis of Atlanta from a sleepy, albeit, an important Southern city, to a bustling metropolitan that boasts some of the highest percentages of international population amongst American cities ? has made all the difference in the experience of growing up Indian here.

If on one the hand the local socio-cultural landscape has changed, what further dramatizes the difference in this experience, is that on the other hand, the Indian community itself has grown manifolds. Compared to the estimated five-thousand Indian-Americans in 1960, today, there are close to two million. Indian-Americans constitute the 4th largest immigrant community in the country. With the increased numbers come comfort, familiarity, a cultural footing, and much more that was unavailable to the brave souls who emigrated here in those pioneering times.

Moreover, with the M. Knight Shyamalans, Bobby Jindals, Kalpana Chawlas, Sanjay Guptas, Jhumpa Lahiris, Deepak Chopras, and Bikram Choudharis making small dents in the American society, it is now "cool" to have ethnic Indian roots. Movies such as Monsoon Wedding and Bend it like Beckham have helped us put our foot inside the door of the host culture.

Further, the rampant mushrooming of Indian classical dance studios, restaurants, beauty salons, grocery stores, video shops, and clothing and jewelry stores, and the coming up of community centers such as the Global Mall in Norcross have lent an "Indianness" to our lives in America, that was starkly absent even a decade ago.

What has all this transformation meant for our children growing up here? For one, it has rendered a vastly different quality to the childhood experiences of those growing up in the early days compared to those from recent times.

Logic would suggest that assimilation or "Americanization" would come more naturally for our children these days ? now that we have had a couple of generations of experience in the country. But surprisingly, the reverse appears to be true.

This is because earlier the Indian-American children were, by default, forced to fuse into the mainstream culture; these days children growing up here at least have the option to remain insulated in their ethnic heritage ? thanks to the availability of food, clothing, customs, festivals, events and an abundance of fellow Indians.

As we continue to replicate here the culture and traditions that we left behind, the identity of our growing progeny is shifting from primarily ?American' to a more dual ?Indian-American' one.

Growing up Indian in America:

IN THE EARLY DAYS

So then how was it growing up in the early days of the ?70s and ?80s? Being engulfed by a larger popular culture vastly different from your inherited one? Being the only Indian kid in school? Having a name nobody can make sense of? Living a life at home that seems alien to your friends?

With "fitting in" being such a compelling need of a growing child, it is no surprise that most of them in those times grew up quite immersed in Americana and quite devoid of "Indian-ness". Pizza and apple pie were staple; tandoori chicken unheard of. MLK and JFK were familiar; Gandhi and Nehru were distant ? even if somewhat inevitable within their homes (Thanks to the freshly migrated parents, of course).

According to Swati Fuller, under the circumstances, it was tough to have any semblance of Indian identity: "There wasn't a whole lot of support structure of the Indian community to fall back upon, so it was very hard to retain any of the Indian religion or culture. I think that was one reason why we spent more time blending in and adopting the American culture."

Arp Trivedi, a self-employed financial consultant who came to the United States in 1971 when he was a just over one year of age, says, "I tried hard to be an American. Nothing about me ? my clothes, my accent, my eating habits and even the movies I watched, would give away the Indian influence."

From a child's perspective, being the odd one out is the pits. They can't be blamed for naturally gravitating towards the dominant majority. Devan Udeshi, a 26-year old analyst who was born here, elaborates, "Most of my schoolmates were white, Anglo-Saxon Americans. There was probably one Indian other than myself in the school. We pretended we didn't know each other, because we didn't want to be known as the two Indians hanging out together. So majority of my friends were white."

Though, when you are inherently different at the core, such blending doesn't come easy. More so for young children who were born in India and came here at a tender age, but with their native identity firmly established.

That was the case for Jaya Patel, an engineer-MBA, who is now a successful entrepreneur. In her formative years in the U.S., the struggle to fit in was a constant battle: "I had moved here when I was eight, so I still had my Indian roots. It was always a struggle to fit in. In middle school, I got picked on a lot. At that age, difference is not really appreciated. So, I would get cornered because I talked different, looked different and also because I couldn't submerge myself into the American culture. Even through my high school years I remember being very angry; partly about things that were happening at home, and partly about not "fitting in" at school.

While today multiethnicity is the norm and the local population has matured thanks to the exposure to a panorama of international cultures that are taking roots, it was not always so. Different wasn't necessarily cool. Maya, the graphic designer, recalls how embarrassed she was to invite her American friends over; especially when she had family visiting from India. "I would have aunties come over from India. I didn't understand the language. I didn't understand why they dressed differently, and especially why they would want to pinch my cheeks. I had no answers to my friends who would want to know why my house smelled different or why my dad looked different."

Traditional or Liberal Parents?

In those days, the quality of your assimilation depended a lot on the kind of parents you had: traditional or liberal and cosmopolitan. Those with liberal parents grew up with ease and finesse as Americans; albeit with peripheral Indian influences. Others lived dual lives with a clear demarcation between their lives at home and outside.

For Raghu Singh who was in elementary school in Tennessee in the ?70s, such duality was the defining experience of his childhood. His parents, who were originally from rural Punjab, were as traditional as they came. Mrs. Singh barely spoke English. For Raghu it was most frustrating that he'd have to explain to his mom the most rudimentary aspects of American life ? those that form the basis of a child's schooling experience: social and cultural nuances, festivals and celebrations, and?sleepovers! Today, he can reflect humorously upon an incident from those days. At a time from his early teens, a friend of his was visiting and asked Mrs. Singh if Raghu could come to his place for a "sleepover". Not quite sure what was asked, Mrs. Singh vehemently denied permission saying "No, no!"

To date, Raghu is not sure what his mom understood about this simple question. This, according to him, was just one of the many "hopeless" situations where he'd have to do his best to either resign to his fate or constantly attempt to bridge the communication gap between his parents and his American life outside the home. From food and clothing to just about all formative experiences, Raghu admits that he was indeed a strong case of "a fish out of water."

Harin Contractor, a 20-year-old senior at University of Georgia can relate. He shares, "In elementary and middle school, my parents were very protective of me. I didn't get to do some of the things which regular American kids did. Sleepovers, boy scouts, and proms were all alien to me."

It is evident that having parents who were an island onto themselves relative to the mainstream, made it that much more difficult for the kids.

For others, it was smoother sailing. Kannan Parekh, a successful IT professional in her mid-twenties, was born and raised in Atlanta. Kannan never experienced the "Fish out of water" syndrome. Both her parents were quite Western in their outlook even from the times in their native Mumbai (Bombay). Kannan's mother, an English teacher in a convent school from back home was "just like the other moms".

Indeed, the Parekh residence was a whirlwind of school related activities. Mrs. Parekh was both, a PTA president as well as a Girl Scouts leader. On International Day at school as well as at various extension programs at churches, she would serve as an "ambassador" for India. "My dad too is an incurable extrovert and would participate in various school programs; if nothing else, as a turban clad fortune teller," says Kannan.

"When your parents are so grooved into the mainstream and at the same time can represent well the native culture, it diffuses possibilities of conflict for the child," she adds. For Kannan, her Indian identity was a welcome respite rather than a source of conflict.

Growing pains related to a cultural gap

Liberal or conservative, some challenges affected them all. Indeed the story of human migration through the ages and around the globe is one of differences, discoveries and cultural conflicts ? more so for children in a bicultural environment.

By many accounts, one of the most persistent and challenging issues was that of dating. It was a particularly daunting affair for some of the earliest Indian-American children. To most of their parents "boy friend" and "girl friend" were terms of hush-hush, associated with the hedonistic hippies of the counter-culture of the decadent ?60s.

For Swati Fuller, "dating was one big challenge." "I was 13 and there was this boy who wanted to take me to the movies. I really wanted to go. But when I mentioned it at home, it caused the biggest scene. I was crying and trying so hard to convince. But eventually they got around it, and I guess, in time, they just learnt to trust me. Nevertheless, I don't think that they were ever completely comfortable with dating. Also it was not in their favor that we were the first of our kind growing up here. They really had no benchmark to go by."

"Dating was non-existent for me in high school," says Devan. "I had several friends who were girls but was never really into the boyfriend-girlfriend thing. My parents never did explicitly ask me not to date, but I guess I just didn't do it out of respect for them. It was more like an unspoken thing. I did date, though, once I went to college. And though initially, I hid it from them, after a while, I was more open with them."

Nija Meyer, a Harvard graduate, who has been living in Atlanta since age five, explains, "With my parents' generation, dating was almost like an announcement that you are committed to this person. For us though, dating was a way of getting to know somebody and forming a friendship. Whether you end up spending your life with that person, who knows?" "Not being allowed to date definitely sets you apart. At 16, when I wasn't allowed to date, I felt it was the end of the world. The subject wasn't even broached because I knew it was not allowed," she explains.

Another pesky problem, perhaps not as sensationalized as dating, was that of names. Here, the villains were not the parents at home, but peers at school.

Few things shout "foreigner" more than the local masses' inability to say your name right. For school kids, such unfamiliar and tongue-twisting names are an invitation that screams, "Go ahead, give me a hard time."

Says Sangini Majmudar, who grew up in Atlanta and is now an actress based in Los Angeles, "I remember sitting in class in elementary school, dreading the roll call. As the teacher would get close to my name, my heartbeat would increase and my throat would go dry. I knew the teacher was going to destroy my name."

Like Sangini, Devan Udeshi used to dread teachers calling out his last name because he knew that they would butcher it and everyone would have a good laugh. "At that age, it is never fun when people cannot say your name right."

Arp Trivedi had it worse. "My Indian name, Arpit, has a beautiful meaning. But at school, the kids would add an "m" to it and call me "Armpit". So there was a time when I was extremely uncomfortable with my name. A friend in high school named me Arp and I just stuck with it."

All in all, the first of our generation that grew up here certainly had more obstacles to overcome simply because there was no beaten path to follow ? for both, themselves and the locals. While it may have been challenging in many ways, it also resulted in a more complete integration and assimilation of them in the American society ? perhaps much more so than their counterparts today.

IN RECENT TIMES

The signature contrast between the experience of growing up in the early days compared to that of recent times is: in those days, most of these children grew up primarily as Americans ? with a varying degree of Indian influences. Today's growing generation, on the other hand seems to gravitate towards an identity grounded in the fused duality of Indian-American. They prefer, or at least have the option, to straddle both sides thanks to the ?Indianization' that was previously absent in America. Unlike the previous generation, it seems that the proverbial "Best of both worlds" is truly available to them.

Meet Tania Aurora. Born in Detroit, Michigan, 16-year-old Tania personifies the current breed of Indian-Americans growing up in America. A resident of Georgia since 1994, she is a trained Bharatnatyam dancer. A member of the dance group, Desi Hawa, she has performed at the Robert Ferst Center during the Baisakhi festival, the Atlanta Civic Center during the Festival of India, and the Sheraton Hotel during Governor Sonny Purdue's welcome function. Classical, Bhangda, folk?she has done them all. At times, Tania even fantasizes about being a choreographer in Bollywood. She is fluent in Hindi and Punjabi, but admits that occasionally she gets them mixed up.

"I am so in-touch with the Indian culture. I love wearing Indian outfits. I enjoy performing both, Indian classical and folk dance. I love watching Bollywood movies. Though I haven't been to India since 1992, somewhere deep in my heart, I feel Indian. My American friends enjoy the henna parties at my house. They are very curious about our culture and teaching them about it makes me really happy," gushes Tania. "I think it is fun having two lives. If I don't like something in one life I can go to my other life."

Agreeing with Tania, Swati adds, "Culturally, there is definitely a lot more acceptance today. In my daughter's school, they are constantly asking us to do things on Diwali and are truly encouraging of the Indian culture, religion, songs, music, and dance. But in the ?70s, when I went to elementary school, the teachers didn't really appreciate the difference. They did not try to expand the cultural knowledge."

Moreover, opportunities that are now available to Tania were largely absent in Swati's times. She feels she missed out on many aspects of her Indian heritage. The inability to speak her mother-tongue, Marathi, fluently, and cook a variety of Indian dishes is one of Fuller's regrets. "Though I understand Marathi, I am unable to read or write the language and cannot articulate myself as well in Marathi as in English. The same goes for Indian cooking. Though I can make some Indian dishes, I wish I had learnt more. I guess all this while, I was so busy assimilating in the American culture that I didn't focus much on the Indian.

Like Swati, many who grew up in those early times feel that today's children have it good that they don't have to miss out on either ends. Besides, there is also another significant advantage enjoyed by them. One of the hardest hang-ups that the old timers constantly had to deal with was the feeling of being the ?odd one out'. As Raghu explains it, the mainstream here is now much more acclimated to various foreign cultures. "Even in schools children are now taught multiculturalism and acceptance. A wide range of food and customs are common. Moreover, these days, there are not only many more Indians but also other immigrants of all hues. So you are not the only one in school who is different," he says.

Tanu Basher, a dentist who grew up here seconds that, "I think the children now are lucky because now there is more awareness of various cultures. There is a larger variety of people now. You get to see more color, hear different languages. I think that difference is appreciated a lot more now than it was earlier, because it is the norm."

Affirming their childhood

For all its struggles of growing up in a bicultural environment, most who have grown up and are growing up here give a resounding thumbs up to the experience. Raghu Singh is one of those who, in retrospect, cherish the struggles towards assimilation and finding an identity. If not for having lived on the periphery of normalcy

for a short phase in life, he would not have acquired half the depth, introspection, character and wisdom that he now enjoys. "I really feel that such experiences are what make a person inventive, driven, and attuned to problem solving. It fosters understanding."

Harin Contractor is also quite thankful that Indian children here are able to enjoy all that America has to offer and at the same time retain Indian culture ? more so than even the young in India itself. Talking about a recent visit to India he says, "We went to a club and I was taken aback because the people there were even more westernized than I was. It's only a little over 50 years after independence and they are already criticizing Gandhi."

Maya Chandiramani, who didn't know much about the Indian culture growing up, says, "Since the last few years, I have been trying to get closer to my culture. Learning about it makes me happy. But I recently went to India and I was sad at the Americanization of the culture. It's as if they are drifting away from their roots, while here I am trying to get closer to them."

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Children growing up in Indian slums: Challenges and opportunities for new urban imaginations

The physical environments of slums present many challenges to residents, particularly children. Even so, there are thriving communities in slums with strong social and economic networks. This article looks at the reality of growing up in slums in Delhi, and explores how well-intentioned slum improvement efforts can fail children. It concludes by identifying ways in which India’s policy environment could support efforts to make slum improvement programmes more child-friendly.

Children growing up in slums experience a childhood that often defies the imagination of both the ‘innocent childhood’ proponents and the ‘universal childhood’ advocates. The slums typically lack proper sanitation, safe drinking water, or systematic garbage collection; there is usually a severe shortage of space inside the houses where the children live, and no public spaces dedicated to their use. But that does not mean that these children have no childhood, only a different kind of childhood that sees them playing on rough, uneven ground, taking on multiple roles in everyday life, and sharing responsibilities with adults in domestic and public spaces in the community.

Some years ago I spent a year working closely with and observing children in Nizamuddin Basti, an 800-year-old historic settlement in the heart of central New Delhi best known for its famous Sufi shrine, the Nizamuddin Dargah. This internationally renowned spiritual centre is also a prominent cultural and philanthropic institution for the community and the city. The Basti is now considered an urban village with a historic core and layers of slums on its periphery. A predominantly Muslim community, Nizamuddin Basti and its slums together comprise ten notional precincts. These precincts were first delineated by children who worked with the local NGO, the Hope Project, in a community mapping exercise; the ngo is using the map to develop strategies for the different precincts of the Basti, given the different profiles of their residents (long-term residents vs. new migrants, regional origin, language and customs, and professions).

Children were to be seen everywhere as one entered the Basti. They played in the parks that wrapped the Basti on the western side to hide it from the gaze of the city. They played on the rough ground and vacant lots dotted with graves, in the open spaces in the centre where garbage was manually sorted. The parked rickshaws, vending carts, cars and bikes all served as play props in the streets. As soon as they could walk, children could be seen outdoors walking around mostly barefoot, climbing on debris and petting goats that freely roamed around. Girls as young as 5 carried infants and toddlers on their hip and moved around freely in the narrow pedestrian bylanes of the village, visiting shops for sweets and the houses of friends down the street. Many houses open out directly onto the street through a doorway that often is nothing more than a 5-foot-high opening in a wall. Infants reach out of these holes in the wall and interact with passers-by.

The Basti has an approximate population of 15,000, based on the counting done by the Hope Project 3 years ago. Since a major focus of the Hope Project’s admirable work was on health and education, I looked up the data on child health as recorded in the outpatient registers of the paediatric unit. Just over 5000 children aged under 14 years live in the Basti. For common ailments the majority of households visit the Hope Dispensary, with the next most commonly visited medical facilities being private doctors and government hospitals and dispensaries (Prerana, 2007). The most common childhood diseases reported at the Hope Project are respiratory diseases, diarrhoea, gastritis, intestinal worms, anaemia, scabies, and ringworm. An adverse living environment characterised by overcrowding, lack of ventilation in homes, and inadequate sanitation, water supply and water storage facilities no doubt contributes to the childhood diseases reported.

However, despite a largely unplanned physical environment, with debris and garbage generously strewn around, very few serious injuries occur in the public domain. Only a few superficial cuts were reported. I too had noticed that during my year-long observation in the Basti. In fact, the only accident I witnessed involved play equipment provided by the government in front of the municipal school.

The stories of Rani and Wahida

Rani’s family lived in one of the peripheral slums of the Basti called Nizam Nagar, one of the most deprived precincts and also the most crowded. The average monthly income of a family there barely exceeds 30 euros. Spread over about an acre, this informal housing accommodates 4458 people. Rani lived with her mother, two unmarried sisters and a married sister and her family in their two rooms arranged one on top of the other. The married sister occupied the top room. Half of the bottom room was occupied by a bed and the remaining floor space at the back was used for cooking, storage and for sitting around. The room had windowless walls on three sides and only opened onto the street in front. Rani’s mother had carved out a small shop selling cigarettes in the front of the room. There was no attached toilet or any piped water supply in this house.

When she was 11 years old, Rani kept a journal for me for a week, recording her day before she went to sleep. This account of her life provides some valuable glimpses about the multiple roles a girl child plays in this community. Rani was responsible for fetching milk for tea for her family every morning from Hasan Bhai’s tea stall. She would meet and chat with friends and neighbours here. In poor families such as hers, food is purchased on a daily basis, as there are no refrigerators for storing groceries.

Rani was a good practising Muslim. She washed herself in the morning and routinely offered all five prayers, or namaz, throughout the day. She called on her friend Meher, who lived around the corner, every morning and walked with her to the Hope Project’s non-formal school for adolescent girls. Rani performed daily household chores and shopping for the family, fetching cigarettes, snacks and groceries both for her mother’s shop and for home. Rani acted as guardian to her little niece, playing with her, feeding her, looking after her. She was a part-time shopkeeper, and sat in their small house-front shop to relieve her mother of her shopkeeping duties for some time every day.

Rani was a good student; other girls came to her for homework help. She bought sweets with small change, liked to play with domestic pets and with friends in the street in front of her house, in the nearby open spaces including the yard of the public toilet across from her house, in Meher’s back yard, and in the city park that was just outside the wall that separated her street from the park. Rani’s two older unmarried sisters took care of the cooking, cleaning and washing.

Rani had a friend called Wahida – unlike her, an orphan who had grown up in many households. Wahida split her time between the houses of her older siblings, her grandmother and her friend Rani’s family in Nizam Nagar. Her days were filled with household chores, besides attending the non-formal Hope school and evening religious studies. Wahida also attended a vocational training course in tailoring and sewing every afternoon in the community centre across from Nizam Nagar.

Both Rani and Wahida had grown up in severe poverty. Rani’s father had died of a drug overdose after reducing the family to penury. Rani’s mother barely earned a dollar a day from her shop and found it difficult to pay even the two rupees that would have bought Rani a hot lunch at school. Wahida had no one to watch over her and depended on charity for meals and a roof for the night. Yet both girls not only survived but thrived in this slum which represents one of the best examples of social capital in an urban neighbourhood. Seven years later, Rani and Wahida have both successfully completed school and are undergoing training as nursery teachers. Wahida is also working as an assistant to a city physiotherapist.

Slum redevelopment with children in mind

There are many such stories in Nizamuddin Basti that speak to the power of family and community social capital in aiding the well-being and future prospects of children. The many everyday places in Nizam Nagar and the larger Nizamuddin Basti that allow children like Rani and Wahida to be active social participants in everyday life are the stuff that communities are made of.

When families are driven out of their slums and taken by truckloads to a resettlement site, they are not only driven away from their homes but also from their communities. Sadly, this is the reality of how many cities are tackling slum renewal – notably Delhi, where families living in squatter settlements are routinely displaced from their squatter locations to make way for profitable new developments and are relocated to barren resettlement sites typically outside the city. Delhi has 44 such resettlement colonies, with a total population estimated to be 1.8 million (Government of Delhi, 2002). Less than 1% of the land occupied by squatters is privately owned (Kundu, 2004), implying that if there were political will, the state could easily provide adequate housing with secure tenure inside the city.

Most slum redevelopment assumes that overall slum improvement processes will automatically benefit children. This is unfortunately not always true. Even the best of initiatives that work on improving sanitation – such as through providing more public toilets, as is currently happening in Nizamuddin Basti – do not take children’s needs into account. Public toilets are scary places for children and with long adult queues, children have to wait a long time for their turn. These are reasons why children can often be seen to squat in the space outside the toilet block or in the street right outside their homes.

The new toilet blocks were part of a larger improvement plan in the Basti that did not adequately consider children. For example, the Basti improvement plan ostensibly benefited children by creating two new landscaped parks. One of them was exclusively for women and children, although it opened its secure gates for only a few hours in the evenings. (Recently a local NGO negotiated access at least once a week outside of the evening hours for children who are part of their programmes.) The other new park replaced a large, central open space in the heart of the community, which was used for sorting scrap. As most residents in the peripheral slums of the Basti depend on this business for a livelihood, the unavailability of this space meant sorting scrap at home. As a result, the home environment is now extremely hazardous for children. These kinds of problems result when communities are not made partners in development, and solutions instead come from a myopic outside view.

In Khirkee, another urban village in Delhi south of the Nizamuddin Basti, children living in a small slum cluster in neighbouring Panchshel Vihar had access to only one badly maintained park, even though the local area had several landscaped parks. When I asked 12-year-old Rinki, who was a play leader of the slum children, what sort of improvements she would recommend for the park, she told me, ‘Please don’t do anything otherwise we will not be able to play here any more.’ This poignantly sums up the attitude of the city. While in theory investment in parks is seen as benefiting children, in practice the temptation is to protect the newly beautified parks from slum kids, who are viewed as vandals. In some communities, slum children are actively evicted from parks, which defeats the purpose of providing them. Rules on park use also discourage imaginative play – when we observed children in landscaped, rule-bound parks that kept out slum children, we counted them playing 12 to 16 different games. In contrast, the slum children from Panchsheel Vihar were counted playing 34 different games in the badly maintained park in Khirkee.

Children use the public realm of neighbourhoods not only for playing but for many other activities including privacy needs and concealing secrets. This requires a range of spaces of different scales and character. Well-designed parks are no doubt very desirable for slum kids, but throughout the day more play happens in the streets and informal open spaces of the neighbourhood than in formal parks. Children in both Nizamuddin Basti and Khirkee referred to the importance of having friendly adults around their play territories, which tells us we need to create new, more imaginative solutions for children’s play than resource-intensive parks which inevitably become sites of conflict between different user groups.

Children from both communities routinely sought out open spaces in the local area outside their neighbourhoods. This points to the importance of integrating slums with the wider local area and securing access to open-space resources for slum children outside of the slum. The importance of community-level open spaces for children living in slums cannot be overemphasised. As there is little opportunity for innovation within the 12.5 m2of cramped private domestic space that Delhi slum dwellers are typically allocated, children in slums, including very small children, spend a large portion of their day outdoors. The cleanliness, safety and friendliness of the outdoor spaces in a slum thus play an important role in the health and well-being of children. Slum improvement plans will work better for children if we consider environmental improvements to the slum neighbourhood as a whole by involving children and by considering slums to be an integral part of the city.

The policy environment in India

India deals with slums only through poverty alleviation strategies. Since the 1980s, every Five Year Plan has included strategies targeting the environmental improvement of urban slums through provision of basic services including water supply, sanitation, night shelters and employment opportunities. But as urban slum growth is outpacing urban growth by a wide margin (UNDP, 2007), the living conditions of more than a 100 million urban slum dwellers in India remain vulnerable.

Is it possible to create a new imagination of slum development within the current policy environment of India? Following the liberalisation of India’s economy in 1991, two landmark events unfolded which may enable this:

• the 74th Constitutional Amendment of 1992, which proposes that urban local bodies (ULBs) should have a direct stake in urban poverty alleviation and slum improvement and upgrading, with participation of citizens, and
• the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM), launched in December 2005, which embodies the principles of the 74th Constitutional Amendment. jnnurm outlines a vision for improving quality of life in cities and promoting inclusive growth, through substantial central financial assistance to cities for infrastructure and capacity development for improved governance and slum development through Basic Services to the Urban Poor. These include security of tenure at affordable prices, improved housing, water supply, sanitation, education, health and social security.

In promoting an integrated approach to planned urban development and the provision of basic services to the urban poor, JNNURM can perhaps reduce some of the existing lapses in planning and service delivery and improve living conditions for the urban poor in a fairer manner. The Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation has recently launched the National Urban Poverty Reduction Strategy (2010–2020): ‘A New Deal for the Urban Poor – Slum Free Cities’, which adopts a multi-pronged approach to reducing urban poverty involving measures such as slum renewal and redevelopment (Mathur, 2009). This calls for developing Slum Free Cities plans for some 30 cities which have been selected for a ‘National Slum Free City Campaign’. None of the national policies on poverty has any focus on children’s well-being or development, however, or on slums as vibrant neighbourhoods that offer affordable housing to Indian citizens.

Slum Free Cities is operationalised through a government scheme called  Rajiv Awas Yojana  (RAY), using JNNURM support. RAY sees slum settlements as spatial entities that can be identified, targeted and reached through the following development options:

• slum improvement:  extending infrastructure in the slums where residents have themselves constructed incremental housing
• slum upgrading:  extending infrastructure in the slums along with facilitation of housing unit upgrading, to support incremental housing
• slum redevelopment:  in-situ redevelopment of the entire slum after demolition of the existing built structures
• slum resettlement:  in case of untenable slums, to be rehabilitated on alternative sites.

RAY provides detailed guidelines for spatial analysis and situation assessment and recommends a participative process, involving slum communities with the help of ngos and community-based organisations active in the area of slum housing and development, to identify possible development options. Slum Free Cities provides an opportunity for new thinking, as well as posing a problem to municipalities and ngos who may not have the technical knowledge and imagination to create innovative community-driven solutions.

As the well-being of children – in terms of health, nutrition, education and protection – is closely connected to the quality of physical living environments and to the delivery of and access to services, children must be central to slum improvement programmes. Slum improvements funded by jnnurm should be used to make Indian cities child-friendly, and build on the assets of intricate social networks, inherent walkability and mixed uses which are considered by new planning theories to be vital in making neighbourhoods sustainable (Neuwirth, 2005; Brugman, 2009).

Slum Free Cities planning guidelines already incorporate many elements that could secure children’s right to an adequate standard of living, such as secure tenure, improved housing, reliable services and access to health and education. However, intentions are often not translated into action. Children’s direct participation in local area planning and design for slum improvements would be a good step forward in creating child-friendly cities in India. Action for Children’s Environments (ACE) is currently working on a study supported by the Bernard van Leer Foundation to understand how the first phase of JNNURM-funded slum improvements have affected children, with the aim of informing these policies and improving the practice of planning and implementation of projects to make slum redevelopment more child-friendly.

References can be found in the PDF version of this article .

Also in this edition of Early Childhood Matters

Essay on Population Growth in India

Students are often asked to write an essay on Population Growth in India in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Population Growth in India

Introduction.

India, the second most populous country globally, has seen significant population growth over the years. This growth has both benefits and challenges.

Causes of Growth

Several factors contribute to India’s population growth, including high birth rates, declining mortality rates, and increased life expectancy due to medical advancements.

Impacts of Growth

Population growth affects various aspects of society. It can strain resources, increase unemployment, and exacerbate poverty. However, it also provides a large workforce, boosting economic growth.

In conclusion, while population growth presents certain challenges, effective planning and policy-making can turn it into an asset for the nation.

250 Words Essay on Population Growth in India

India, the second most populous country in the world, is experiencing explosive population growth. This growth, while indicative of improved health services, has significant repercussions on the country’s socio-economic fabric.

Causes of Population Growth

The primary cause of this surge is a decrease in mortality rates due to advancements in medical sciences and an increase in birth rates. Socio-cultural factors such as the preference for a male child, leading to larger families, also contribute.

Impacts of Population Growth

The burgeoning population exerts immense pressure on India’s limited resources, leading to issues like unemployment, poverty, and inadequate public health and education services. It also poses a severe threat to the environment due to overexploitation of natural resources.

Population Control Measures

India has implemented various population control measures like family planning and awareness programs. However, their effectiveness is often limited by socio-cultural barriers and lack of access to resources in rural areas.

While population growth signifies a healthy populace, it is imperative for India to check this growth to prevent socio-economic and environmental crises. This requires comprehensive strategies that address not just the symptoms but the root causes of population growth, including societal norms and access to resources.

500 Words Essay on Population Growth in India

India, the second most populous country in the world, is experiencing significant population growth. With over 1.3 billion people, the demographic changes in India are influencing its social, economic, and environmental dynamics. This essay explores the causes, implications, and potential solutions to the population growth in India.

The primary cause of India’s population growth is the decline in death rates. With advancements in healthcare and technology, life expectancy has improved, leading to a larger ageing population. Furthermore, despite efforts to promote family planning, the fertility rate remains high in many regions, particularly in rural areas. This is due to a lack of education, socio-cultural norms, and limited access to contraception.

Implications of Population Growth

The population surge in India brings both challenges and opportunities. On one side, it places immense pressure on resources such as water, food, and land. Rapid urbanization and the subsequent strain on infrastructure, including housing, sanitation, and transportation, are notable issues. Additionally, it exacerbates environmental degradation and climate change.

On the other hand, a large population signifies a vast labor force, which, if harnessed correctly, could propel economic growth. However, this demographic dividend can only be realized if the population is healthy, educated, and skilled, which is a challenge in itself given the current state of India’s public services.

In response to the population growth, the Indian government has implemented several measures. Family planning programs, awareness campaigns about contraception, and efforts to improve women’s education and empowerment have been at the forefront. However, these initiatives have not been uniformly successful across the country.

The Way Forward

Addressing population growth requires a multifaceted approach. Firstly, it is essential to improve the quality of education and healthcare, particularly in rural and marginalized areas. This includes comprehensive sex education and easy access to contraception to enable informed family planning decisions.

Secondly, empowering women through education and employment opportunities is crucial. Women who are educated and economically independent tend to have fewer children and invest more in their wellbeing, contributing to a decline in population growth.

Finally, it is vital to foster sustainable development and resource management to mitigate the environmental impact of population growth. This includes promoting green technologies, sustainable agriculture, and efficient use of water and energy.

India’s population growth is a complex issue with deep-rooted socio-cultural, economic, and environmental implications. While it presents significant challenges, it also offers opportunities if managed effectively. A combination of education, healthcare improvement, women’s empowerment, and sustainable development can help India navigate its demographic transition and harness its potential demographic dividend.

That’s it! I hope the essay helped you.

If you’re looking for more, here are essays on other interesting topics:

• Essay on National Festivals of India
• Essay on My India My Pride
• Essay on Life in an Indian Village

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Essay on India For Students and Children

500+ words essay on india.

India is a great country where people speak different languages but the national language is Hindi. India is full of different castes, creeds, religion, and cultures but they live together. That’s the reasons India is famous for the common saying of “ unity in diversity “. India is the seventh-largest country in the whole world.

Geography and Culture

India has the second-largest population in the world. India is also knowns as Bharat, Hindustan and sometimes Aryavart. It is surrounded by oceans from three sides which are Bay Of Bengal in the east, the Arabian Sea in the west and Indian oceans in the south. Tiger is the national animal of India. Peacock is the national bird of India. Mango is the national fruit of India. “ Jana Gana Mana ” is the national anthem of India . “Vande Mataram” is the national song of India. Hockey is the national sport of India. People of different religions such as Hinduism, Buddhism , Jainism, Sikhism, Islam, Christianity and Judaism lives together from ancient times. India is also rich in monuments, tombs, churches, historical buildings, temples, museums, scenic beauty, wildlife sanctuaries , places of architecture and many more. The great leaders and freedom fighters are from India.

F lag of India

The indian flag has tricolors.

The first color that is uppermost color in the flag which is the saffron color, stands for purity. The second color i.e. the middle color in the flag is the white color and it stands for peace. The third color that is the lowest color in the flag is the green color and it stands for fertility. The white color has an Ashoka Chakra of blue color on it. Ashoka Chakra contains twenty-four spokes which are equally divided. India has 29 states and 7 union territories.

Follow this link to get a Physical and state-wise Map of India

My Favorite States from India are as follows –

Rajasthan itself has a glorious history. It is famous for many brave kings, their deeds, and their art and architecture. It has a sandy track that’s why the nuclear test was held here. Rajasthan is full of desert, mountain range, lakes, dense forest, attractive oases, and temples, etc. Rajasthan is also known as “Land Of Sacrifice”. In Rajasthan, you can see heritage things of all the kings who ruled over there and for that, you can visit Udaipur, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Chittaurgarh, etc.

Madhya Pradesh

Madhya Pradesh is bigger than a foreign (Italy) country and smaller than Oman. It also has tourists attractions for its places. In Madhya Pradesh, you can see temples, lakes, fort, art and architecture, rivers, jungles, and many things. You can visit in Indore, Jabalpur, Ujjain, Bhopal, Gwalior and many cities. Khajuraho, Sanchi Stupa, Pachmarhi, Kanha national park, Mandu, etc. are the places must visit.

Jammu and Kashmir

Jammu and Kashmir are known as heaven on earth . We can also call Jammu and Kashmir as Tourists Paradise. There are many places to visit Jammu and Kashmir because they have an undisturbed landscape, motorable road, beauty, lying on the banks of river Jhelum, harmony, romance, sceneries, temples and many more.

In Jammu and Kashmir, u can enjoy boating, skiing, skating, mountaineering, horse riding, fishing, snowfall, etc. In Jammu and Kashmir, you can see a variety of places such as Srinagar, Vaishnav Devi, Gulmarg, Amarnath, Patnitop, Pahalgam, Sonamarg, Lamayuru, Nubra Valley, Hemis, Sanasar,  Anantnag,  Kargil, Dachigam National Park, Pulwama, Khilanmarg, Dras, Baltal, Bhaderwah, Pangong Lake, Magnetic Hill, Tso Moriri, Khardung La, Aru Valley, Suru Basin,Chadar Trek, Zanskar Valley, Alchi Monastery, Darcha Padum Trek, Kishtwar National Park, Changthang Wildlife Sanctuary, Nyoma, Dha Hanu, Uleytokpo, Yusmarg, Tarsar Marsar Trek and many more.

It is known as the ‘God’s Own Country’, Kerala is a state in India, situated in the southwest region, it is bordered by a number of beaches; covered by hills of Western Ghats and filled with backwaters, it is a tourist destination attracting people by its natural beauty. The most important destinations which you can see in Kerela are the museum, sanctuary, temples, backwaters, and beaches. Munnar, Kovalam, Kumarakom, and Alappad.

India is a great country having different cultures, castes, creed, religions but still, they live together. India is known for its heritage, spices, and of course, for people who live here. That’s the reasons India is famous for the common saying of “unity in diversity”. India is also well known as the land of spirituality , philosophy, science, and technology.

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Role of start-ups in the growth of the economy in india.

Neeraj Tyagi

Neeraj Tyagi, Co-Founder and CEO, We Founder Circle.

A start-up technically is any enterprise that is working on the growth, commercialization, and the creation of brand-new products, services, or mechanisms that are driven by intellectual property or new tech. Over the last two decades, the Indian startup ecosystem has grown rapidly, and more support has become available in all dimensions. Startups do not exist in a vacuum but are part of a broader business environment that is focused on generating impactful solutions, thereby acting as vehicles for socioeconomic development and transformation. Since start-ups are centres of novel innovations, they generate jobs, which implies more career opportunities; more employment leads to a stronger economy, and a healthier economy has a direct bearing on the growth of cities where startups locate. For instance, consider how Infosys metamorphosed the city of Bangalore.

Therefore to promote the start-up culture in India and strengthen the Indian economy, the Government of India has undertaken various measures. For example, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the “Standup India” initiative in August 2015. The larger goal is to help new businesses with bank financing, energise business spirit among young Indians, build frameworks for uplifting startups, and make the country the best destination for tech businesses. Let us examine the role of startups in the growth of the Indian economy:

Employment Creation

India has 112 million working-age people between the ages of 20 and 24, compared to China’s 94 million. In the absence of government jobs, this demographic dividend is accelerating the country’s startup culture. As of August 29, 2022, India had emerged as the world’s third-largest startup ecosystem, with over 77,000 DPIIT-recognized startups spread throughout 656 districts. These startups are simultaneously enabling more jobs than large companies or enterprises in the same industry. Therefore curbing the unemployment problems in developing nations like India.

New Investments

Many multinational corporations are now outsourcing their tasks to small businesses in order to focus on their core competencies. As a result of this trend, not only Indian venture capitalists but also many multinational corporations are closely monitoring the progress of Indian start-ups to invest their money. For example, Accenture gave 1.35 million dollars worth of business to startups within the last year, giving startups an opportunity to make a significant impact on both the Indian and global markets.

Research and Development

Start-ups heavily subsidise Research and Development (R&D) in countries like India as they frequently have to deal with high-tech and knowledge-based services. The startup’s R&D team acts as an innovation seeker and keeps the company updated. Start-ups, therefore, encourage a pragmatic approach or independent research at the academic establishment. This motivates students or researchers to put their ideas into practice by collaborating with the start-up, which more importantly helps develop means of economic expansion.

Despite elevated inflation pressures owing to rising global food and fuel prices, Indian Gross domestic product (GDP) is expected to grow by 6.9% in the fiscal year (FY) 2022-23 and 6.2% in FY 2023-24. As GDP plays an important role in a country’s economic development, it will become feasible to increase revenue domestically and consumer capital can also circulate throughout the nation if we keep promoting and supporting more start-up initiatives.

Democratizing the Technology Benefits

Many startups not only drive innovation and technology, but also demonstrate how their benefits reach the most remote customers. Fintech startups are now reaching out to remote areas with their solutions and making financial solutions easily accessible in tier 2 and tier 3 cities. Hesa, a Fintech and Agritech startup is one solution for all rural problems by bridging the rural-urban divide with technology and labour. It is successfully facilitating banking transactions, managing supply chains, and increasing the visibility of farmers’ rural products. Similarly, e-commerce startups such as Zypp uses EV technology to make last-mile delivery sustainable and emission-free. Due to these innovative startups, it has become easier for local entrepreneurs operating in rural areas to market and sell their products. Local entrepreneurship is no longer limited to a particular region but is capable of competing on a global scale, assisting India in becoming a stronger economy.

The subtle influence of start-ups on the Indian Economy

• When a startup creates employment for locals, they also begin to purchase goods and services, increasing the influx of cash and revenue to the government and thus boosting the economy.
• When several startups are blooming in one location, the market of that geography rises as well. Since many individuals desire to reside there to work, this dramatically changes the infrastructural facilities of that city.
• When infrastructure upgrades, numerous guesthouses, homestays, food outlets, and transport service unlocks, creating countless job opportunities and increasing the city’s revenue.
• Startups also create innovative solutions and technologies that enhance people’s quality of life. Many startups in India are operating in remote areas with the aim to support the overall local community including the economy. 
• When Indian start-ups maintain the requirement for a requisite product or service, it reduces the import of that foreign product or service. This not only minimises the cash flow to another nation but increases the flow of capital within the Indian market, which is pivotal to the growth of the Indian economy.

Startup-friendly policies in India do not always necessitate large sums of money or incentives. They do, however, need help from successful founders and strategic angels in all stages of development, such as business strategy, community building, and connecting with skilled business mentors. As India has a massive, diverse population with many talented individuals in search of work, it is essential to develop state ecosystems by establishing a startup policy, startup portal, and helpline within every state. Creating incubation centres, co-working spaces, entrepreneurial cells, and instilling an entrepreneurial spirit in every student at a young age is even more necessary.

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Essay on India and Economic Growth | Economics

Here is an essay on ‘India and Economic Growth’ for class 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12. Find paragraphs, long and short essays on ‘India and Economic Growth’ especially written for school and college students.

Essay on India and Economic Growth

Though it seems surprising but it is a fact now that after Japanese Miracle, East Asian Miracle and Chinese Miracle there has been now India’s growth miracle, as in the last 15 years (2000 to 2015) India achieved on an average annual growth rate of around 7.3 per cent while China’s average annual growth rate during these fifteen years has been around 10 per cent. More surprisingly, in the four successive years (2004-2008), India achieved average annual growth rate of 9 per cent. Further, in the Eleventh Plan period (2007-12) there has been average annual GDP growth rate of 8 per cent which is the highest achieved in any Indian plan.

It is due to this high rate of GDP growth rate that, according to a World Bank’s International Comparison Program (ICD) report, in 2011 India displaced Japan to become the world’s third biggest economy in terms of GDP (based on purchasing power parity prices) ranked after the U.S. and China. India’s miraculous growth in recent years can be seen from the fact that the previous International Comparison Program (ICP) survey report for the year 2005 had placed India in terms of GDP (at PPP prices) in the 10th place. So between 2005 and 2011 due to higher GDP growth rate India jumped from 10th place to the 3rd place in respect of GDP (at PPP prices).

India’s share in World GDP in terms of PPP was 6.4% in 2011 compared with China’s 14.9 per cent and the U.S. 17.1 per cent, the latest ICP survey showed. The survey covered 199 countries. In 2011 ranking, India’s economy was 37.1 per cent of the U.S. economy compared to 18.9 per cent in 2005. It may be noted that purchasing power parity (PPP) prices are used to compare economies and incomes of the people by adjusting for differences in prices in different countries to make a meaningful comparison. However, it is worthwhile to mention that due to large population, in respect of per capita GDP, even in PPP terms, India’s rank in 2011 was placed at 127 in the 199 country ranking while China’s rank was placed at 99 compared to 12th rank of the U.S.

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India’s Growth Miracle:

Since 2003 Indian economy has emerged as one of the fastest growing economies of the world. In fact, next to China, India’s growth rate from 2003-04 to 2014-15 has been highest in the world. This is often referred to as India’s growth miracle. Before 1980s India’s average growth rate stuck at around 3.6 per cent per annum which Late Prof. Raj Krishna called Hindu rate of growth. In the nineteen eighties India’s average rate of economic growth rose to 5.6 per cent per annum and further in the 1990s and up till 2002-03 (i.e., in 12 years period), India’s average growth rate went up to 6.2% per annum under liberalisation and globalisation of the Indian economy.

But from 2004-05 to 2007-08 India’s average annual growth rate of GDP rose to over 9 per cent per annum. In 2008-09 while the advanced developed countries were experiencing recession (i.e., negative growth), India succeeded in achieving 6.7 per cent growth rate which further rose to 8.6% in 2009-10 and 8.9% in 2010-11.

It will be seen from Table 64.1 (last row) that the GDP growth rate at factor cost (at 2004-05 prices) picked up from the year 2003-04. As compared to average GDP growth rate of around 6.2 per cent in 1991-2003, it was estimated at 8 per cent in 2003-04, 7.1 per cent in 2004-05, 9.5 per cent in 2005-06, 9.6 per cent in 2006-07, and 9.3 per cent in 2007-08. In the year of global financial crisis, it fell to 6.7 per cent in 2008-09. But even then it was well above other countries except China.

The GDP growth rate again rose to 8.6 per cent in 2009-10 and to 8.9 per cent in 2010-11. In the next two years, 2011-12 and 2012-13 there was temporary slowdown in economic growth but in those two years due to adverse global factors, the growth rate declined in all countries including China. However, from 2013-14 onwards, India’s growth rate has picked up while GDP growth rates in other countries of the world remain at lower levels. India’s GDP growth rate has raised to 6.9 per cent in 2013-14 and to 7.3 per cent in 2014-15 and it is estimated to up to 7.6 to 7.8 per cent in 2015-16. With this India which has been the second fastest growing economy of the world since 2003 next only to China will overtake China in 2015-16 and is expected to become the fastest growing economy of the World. India’s growth rate since 2004-05 is depicted in Fig. 64.1.

Essay on India’s Economic Growth

• 1 Introduction
• 2 Historical Overview of India’s Economic Growth
• 3.1 1) Agriculture sector:
• 3.2 2) Manufacturing sector
• 3.3 3) Service sector
• 3.4 4) Foreign Direct Investment (FDI)
• 4.1 1) Poverty and income inequality:
• 4.2 2) Infrastructure gaps:
• 4.3 3) Political instability:
• 4.4 4) Lack of skilled labor force:
• 5.1 1) Reforms in agriculture, manufacturing, and service sectors:
• 5.2 2) Policies to attract foreign investment:
• 5.3 3) Programs for skill development and employment generation
• 5.4 4) Investment in infrastructure development
• 6 Conclusion
• 7.1 What has been the growth rate of India’s economy in recent years?
• 7.2 What are the major drivers of India’s economic growth?
• 7.3 What are the major challenges facing India’s economic growth?
• 7.4 What initiatives has the government taken to promote economic growth in India?
• 7.5 What is the Skill India program?
• 7.6 What is the Make in India program?
• 7.7 What is the Pradhan Mantri Rojgar Protsahan Yojana?
• 7.8 What is the National Investment and Infrastructure Fund?
• 7.9 What is the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana?
• 7.10 What is the future outlook for India’s economic growth?

Explore India’s economic growth in detail through this insightful essay. Understand the factors driving India’s economic progress and the challenges it faces. Read about the country’s economic policies and their impact on businesses and citizens.

Introduction

Economic growth is a crucial aspect of any developing country and plays a major role in improving the standard of living of its citizens. In India, economic growth has been a major focus of policy makers since independence, and has been the driving force behind the country’s progress over the past few decades. This essay will outline the historical overview of India’s economic growth, the key contributors to its economic growth, the challenges it faces, and the government policies aimed at promoting economic growth.

Historical Overview of India’s Economic Growth

The pre-independence era of India was characterized by a stagnant economy, with low levels of investment, poor infrastructure, and limited industrialization. After independence, India adopted a mixed economy model, with the government controlling key industries such as coal, steel, and heavy industries. This model was not very successful, and the economy remained slow-growing until the 1980s, when India adopted reforms aimed at liberalizing the economy and promoting private sector investment.

In 1991, India underwent a major economic reform process, known as the liberalization, privatization, and globalization (LPG) reforms. These reforms aimed to promote entrepreneurship and investment, and to reduce the role of the government in the economy. The reforms led to the growth of the private sector, and the emergence of many new industries. As a result, the economy experienced a period of rapid growth, and India emerged as one of the fastest-growing economies in the world.

Key Contributors to India’s Economic Growth

India’s economic growth has been driven by several key contributors including the growth of the agriculture, manufacturing, and service sectors. The government has also played a major role in promoting economic growth through various initiatives, such as the Make in India program, the Skill India program, and the Pradhan Mantri Rojgar Protsahan Yojana.

1) Agriculture sector:

Agriculture is the backbone of India’s economy, as it employs around 50% of the country’s workforce. The agricultural sector has undergone significant reforms over the past few decades, which have led to an increase in productivity, and the growth of the agribusiness sector. The government has also implemented various programs aimed at promoting the development of the agricultural sector, such as the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, which provides insurance to farmers against crop losses.

2) Manufacturing sector

The manufacturing sector has been a key contributor to India’s economic growth, and has been growing at a rapid pace since the 1990s. The government has implemented various policies aimed at promoting the growth of the manufacturing sector, such as the Make in India program, which aims to make India a hub for global manufacturing. The growth of the manufacturing sector has also led to the development of the small and medium enterprises (SME) sector, which has become a major source of employment in the country.

3) Service sector

The service sector is one of the largest contributors to India’s GDP, and is growing at a rapid pace. The sector includes a wide range of industries, such as financial services, information technology (IT), tourism, and retail. The growth of the service sector has been driven by the liberalization of the economy, and the growth of the IT industry, which has become a major contributor to India’s economy.

4) Foreign Direct Investment (FDI)

FDI has been a major contributor to India’s economic growth, as it has led to the growth of various industries and the development of the infrastructure sector. The government has implemented various policies aimed at attracting FDI, such as the 100% FDI policy in various sectors, which allows foreign companies to invest in India without any restrictions.

Challenges Facing India’s Economic Growth

Despite the impressive growth of India’s economy, there are several challenges that are hindering further progress. Some of these challenges include:

1) Poverty and income inequality:

Despite the rapid growth of the economy, poverty and income inequality remain major challenges in India. A large proportion of the population still lives below the poverty line, and the income gap between the rich and poor is widening. The government has implemented various programs aimed at reducing poverty, such as the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana, which provides financial inclusion to the poor by providing them with access to bank accounts and other financial services.

2) Infrastructure gaps:

Another major challenge facing India’s economic growth is the inadequate infrastructure. The country still lacks basic facilities, such as electricity, water, and roads, in many regions, which hinders economic growth. The government is working to address this issue through various initiatives, such as the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana, which aims to provide rural areas with all-weather roads, and the Atal Bhujal Yojana, which aims to improve groundwater management.

3) Political instability:

Political instability can have a negative impact on economic growth, as it can discourage investment and reduce the confidence of investors. India has experienced political instability in the past, and the government needs to ensure that the country remains politically stable in order to maintain its economic growth.

4) Lack of skilled labor force:

India faces a shortage of skilled labor, which can hinder the growth of various industries. The government is addressing this issue through various initiatives, such as the Skill India program, which aims to provide vocational training to young people and improve the quality of the workforce.

Government Policies to Promote Economic Growth

The government of India has taken several steps to promote economic growth in the country that includes:

1) Reforms in agriculture, manufacturing, and service sectors:

The government has implemented various reforms aimed at promoting the growth of the agriculture, manufacturing, and service sectors. The reforms include liberalizing trade policies, reducing red tape, and promoting entrepreneurship. The government has also implemented various programs aimed at promoting the development of these sectors, such as the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, which provides insurance to farmers against crop losses, and the Make in India program, which aims to make India a hub for global manufacturing.

2) Policies to attract foreign investment:

The government has implemented various policies aimed at attracting foreign investment, such as the 100% FDI policy in various sectors, which allows foreign companies to invest in India without any restrictions. The government has also established various institutions, such as the National Investment and Infrastructure Fund, which aims to attract foreign investment and promote infrastructure development.

3) Programs for skill development and employment generation

The government has implemented various programs aimed at developing the skills of the workforce and creating employment opportunities. The Skill India program is one of the major initiatives aimed at improving the quality of the workforce, while the Pradhan Mantri Rojgar Protsahan Yojana aims to provide incentives to companies that employ young people.

4) Investment in infrastructure development

The government is investing heavily in infrastructure development in order to address the gaps in the country’s infrastructure. The Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana, which aims to provide rural areas with all-weather roads, and the Atal Bhujal Yojana, which aims to improve groundwater management, are some of the major initiatives aimed at improving infrastructure in the country.

India’s economic growth has been a major focus of policy makers since independence, and has been the driving force behind the country’s progress over the past few decades. The growth of the agriculture, manufacturing, and service sectors, as well as the growth of foreign investment, have been the major contributors to India’s economic growth. Despite these achievements, the country still faces major challenges, such as poverty, income inequality, inadequate infrastructure, political instability, and a shortage of skilled labor. The government is working to address these challenges through various initiatives and policies aimed at promoting economic growth. The future prospects for India’s economic growth are bright, and the country has the potential to become one of the major economic powers in the world.

FAQs related to “India’s Economic Growth”

What has been the growth rate of india’s economy in recent years.

India’s economy has been growing at a rate of around 7% in recent years. In the financial year 2021, India’s economy grew by 11.7%, making it one of the fastest growing economies in the world.

What are the major drivers of India’s economic growth?

The major drivers of India’s economic growth are the agriculture, manufacturing, and service sectors. The growth of these sectors is driven by various factors, such as increased investment, improved infrastructure, and increased exports.

What are the major challenges facing India’s economic growth?

The major challenges facing India’s economic growth include poverty, income inequality, inadequate infrastructure, political instability, and a shortage of skilled labor.

What initiatives has the government taken to promote economic growth in India?

The government has taken various initiatives to promote economic growth in India, such as implementing reforms in agriculture, manufacturing, and service sectors, attracting foreign investment, promoting skill development and employment generation, and investing in infrastructure development.

What is the Skill India program?

The Skill India program is a government initiative aimed at improving the quality of the workforce in India. The program provides vocational training to young people and helps to address the shortage of skilled labor in the country.

What is the Make in India program?

The Make in India program is a government initiative aimed at making India a hub for global manufacturing. The program provides various incentives to companies that invest in India and promotes entrepreneurship in the country.

What is the Pradhan Mantri Rojgar Protsahan Yojana?

The Pradhan Mantri Rojgar Protsahan Yojana is a government program aimed at creating employment opportunities in India. The program provides incentives to companies that employ young people and helps to address the problem of unemployment in the country.

What is the National Investment and Infrastructure Fund?

The National Investment and Infrastructure Fund is a government institution aimed at attracting foreign investment and promoting infrastructure development in India. The institution provides funding for infrastructure projects and helps to address the gap in the country’s infrastructure.

What is the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana?

The Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana is a government initiative aimed at providing financial inclusion to the poor in India. The program provides access to bank accounts and other financial services to people who do not have access to these services.

What is the future outlook for India’s economic growth?

The future outlook for India’s economic growth is positive, and the country has the potential to become one of the major economic powers in the world. The continued growth of the economy will have a positive impact on the standard of living of the people of India.

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Tourism In India Essay

One of the most significant and fastest-growing industries in the world is tourism. It generates extensive foreign exchange without materially depleting domestic resources. It provides both income and employment. There are certain nations whose primary source of income is tourism. Here are a few sample essays on “Tourism In India”.

100 Words Essay On Tourism In India

One of the most well-liked tourist destinations in Asia is India. India's secularism and culture have captivated people from all over the world. India, therefore, has a lot of potential for tourism. India offers a variety of sights to see and things to do. The Himalayan ranges border it in the north and the Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal, and the Indian Ocean on three sides. India is beautiful because of its picturesque backwaters, hill towns, and landscapes. Thus it has a lot to offer to the tourist. Both skilled and unskilled workers are employed in the tourism sector. It encourages global fraternity and national integration.

200 Words Essay On Tourism In India

India's vast natural and cultural diversity has given it a special place on the global tourism map. The third-largest industry in India is tourism, which directly or indirectly employs about 10 million people.

What Draws Tourists To India

Tourists are drawn to India because of its welcoming customs, diverse way of life, cultural legacy, and vibrant fairs and festivals. From the beginning, the kings of various regions of India constructed opulent palaces, magnificent temples, evergreen gardens, lofty forts, and graves. Tourism-friendly natural and cultural settings abound in India. Some of India's tourist attractions include its stunning beaches, animals, national parks, sanctuaries, snow-covered mountains, rivers, and mountain peaks, as well as its technical parks and places of worship. Tourists are drawn to historical trains, yoga, meditation, Ayurveda, Siddha, and natural health resorts.

My Trip To Kashmir

I had Kashmir on the itinerary for my Navarathri holidays. I took a flight to Srinagar from Delhi. I was thrilled to see the snow-capped mountains and lovely valleys outside my window. I visited Shalimar Bagh and Nishant Bagh that evening before taking a shikara ride on the Dal Lake. There were floating markets on the Dal Lake. In the following days, I went to Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Sonmarg. After visiting all those places, this trip was one of the best trips of my life. I met a lot of new people who were international tourists coming here for the first time.

500 Words Essay On Tourism In India

India offers a tremendous deal of variety and tourist attractions. Goa is one of many places in India that attracts a lot of foreign visitors.

Benefits Of Tourism

What are the benefits of being an attractive tourist destination for India?

Revenue | People travel to various nations worldwide, which generates revenue for the tourism industry. As we've already seen, tourism is a sizable business with numerous social and economic advantages. It generates employment in the hospitality, dining, and other travel-related sectors. Additionally, it supports operations so visitors can get the most out of their trips.

Creates Jobs | Tourism generate more jobs, which can also be a substantial source of cash for nearby towns. Many new jobs are created businesses in the hotel and agricultural sectors. The housing market is also helped by tourism, which promotes economic growth and job prospects in other sectors.

Economic Growth | For many countries, tourism has been a critical driver of growth. It supports economic expansion and is advantageous for the environment. However, there are numerous strategies to promote tourism. Many nations provide tax rebates or low corporation tax rates as investment incentives. These incentives enable businesses to spend money on building the country's infrastructure for transportation, real estate, and other sectors.

Global Connect | Tourism does just that, it fosters a global connect. New friendships are formed through tourism. Travelling allows tourists to comprehend their destination more thoroughly. Additionally, they get to take in their location's sights, sounds, and flavours.

Global Value | The nation's economy is stimulated by tourism. It offers a wide range of advantages, including new technology, the development of jobs, the sharing ideas, and cultural enrichment. Many nations have begun to invest in the tourism industry to make it simpler for people to travel internationally for personal or professional reasons.

My Holidays In Goa

Last year, I travelled to Goa. I truly enjoyed the trip, which was one of the best of my life. Goa is a fantastic location for a fun vacation. I was eager for the holiday. As I began to enter Goa, I noticed a wonderland. Goodness, what a scene! One thing I was really impressed by was how many green trees there were along the route. The highway was not at all noisy. People gather and start having fun on the beach as the day transitions into the evening.

I also visited Panjim, where I saw a lot of lovely things. I went to a well-known church in Goa. There were plenty of people on the beaches, in restaurants, pubs, etc., and I realised Goa is a very choosing option for tourists around the globe. And thus, it helps to promote Indian tourism.

The travel and tourism sector has expanded significantly in recent years. Due to India's extensive natural and cultural legacy, the tourism industry has enormous growth potential. The tourism sector has several difficulties. These difficulties must be reduced for the industry to reach its full potential. The policies implemented in the tourism industry today will influence tourism in the future.

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Bio Medical Engineer

The field of biomedical engineering opens up a universe of expert chances. An Individual in the biomedical engineering career path work in the field of engineering as well as medicine, in order to find out solutions to common problems of the two fields. The biomedical engineering job opportunities are to collaborate with doctors and researchers to develop medical systems, equipment, or devices that can solve clinical problems. Here we will be discussing jobs after biomedical engineering, how to get a job in biomedical engineering, biomedical engineering scope, and salary. 

Data Administrator

Database professionals use software to store and organise data such as financial information, and customer shipping records. Individuals who opt for a career as data administrators ensure that data is available for users and secured from unauthorised sales. DB administrators may work in various types of industries. It may involve computer systems design, service firms, insurance companies, banks and hospitals.

Ethical Hacker

A career as ethical hacker involves various challenges and provides lucrative opportunities in the digital era where every giant business and startup owns its cyberspace on the world wide web. Individuals in the ethical hacker career path try to find the vulnerabilities in the cyber system to get its authority. If he or she succeeds in it then he or she gets its illegal authority. Individuals in the ethical hacker career path then steal information or delete the file that could affect the business, functioning, or services of the organization.

Data Analyst

The invention of the database has given fresh breath to the people involved in the data analytics career path. Analysis refers to splitting up a whole into its individual components for individual analysis. Data analysis is a method through which raw data are processed and transformed into information that would be beneficial for user strategic thinking.

Data are collected and examined to respond to questions, evaluate hypotheses or contradict theories. It is a tool for analyzing, transforming, modeling, and arranging data with useful knowledge, to assist in decision-making and methods, encompassing various strategies, and is used in different fields of business, research, and social science.

Geothermal Engineer

Individuals who opt for a career as geothermal engineers are the professionals involved in the processing of geothermal energy. The responsibilities of geothermal engineers may vary depending on the workplace location. Those who work in fields design facilities to process and distribute geothermal energy. They oversee the functioning of machinery used in the field.

Remote Sensing Technician

Individuals who opt for a career as a remote sensing technician possess unique personalities. Remote sensing analysts seem to be rational human beings, they are strong, independent, persistent, sincere, realistic and resourceful. Some of them are analytical as well, which means they are intelligent, introspective and inquisitive. 

Remote sensing scientists use remote sensing technology to support scientists in fields such as community planning, flight planning or the management of natural resources. Analysing data collected from aircraft, satellites or ground-based platforms using statistical analysis software, image analysis software or Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is a significant part of their work. Do you want to learn how to become remote sensing technician? There's no need to be concerned; we've devised a simple remote sensing technician career path for you. Scroll through the pages and read.

Geotechnical engineer

The role of geotechnical engineer starts with reviewing the projects needed to define the required material properties. The work responsibilities are followed by a site investigation of rock, soil, fault distribution and bedrock properties on and below an area of interest. The investigation is aimed to improve the ground engineering design and determine their engineering properties that include how they will interact with, on or in a proposed construction. 

The role of geotechnical engineer in mining includes designing and determining the type of foundations, earthworks, and or pavement subgrades required for the intended man-made structures to be made. Geotechnical engineering jobs are involved in earthen and concrete dam construction projects, working under a range of normal and extreme loading conditions. 

Cartographer

How fascinating it is to represent the whole world on just a piece of paper or a sphere. With the help of maps, we are able to represent the real world on a much smaller scale. Individuals who opt for a career as a cartographer are those who make maps. But, cartography is not just limited to maps, it is about a mixture of art , science , and technology. As a cartographer, not only you will create maps but use various geodetic surveys and remote sensing systems to measure, analyse, and create different maps for political, cultural or educational purposes.

Budget Analyst

Budget analysis, in a nutshell, entails thoroughly analyzing the details of a financial budget. The budget analysis aims to better understand and manage revenue. Budget analysts assist in the achievement of financial targets, the preservation of profitability, and the pursuit of long-term growth for a business. Budget analysts generally have a bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, economics, or a closely related field. Knowledge of Financial Management is of prime importance in this career.

Product Manager

A Product Manager is a professional responsible for product planning and marketing. He or she manages the product throughout the Product Life Cycle, gathering and prioritising the product. A product manager job description includes defining the product vision and working closely with team members of other departments to deliver winning products.  

Underwriter

An underwriter is a person who assesses and evaluates the risk of insurance in his or her field like mortgage, loan, health policy, investment, and so on and so forth. The underwriter career path does involve risks as analysing the risks means finding out if there is a way for the insurance underwriter jobs to recover the money from its clients. If the risk turns out to be too much for the company then in the future it is an underwriter who will be held accountable for it. Therefore, one must carry out his or her job with a lot of attention and diligence.

Finance Executive

Operations manager.

Individuals in the operations manager jobs are responsible for ensuring the efficiency of each department to acquire its optimal goal. They plan the use of resources and distribution of materials. The operations manager's job description includes managing budgets, negotiating contracts, and performing administrative tasks.

Bank Probationary Officer (PO)

Investment director.

An investment director is a person who helps corporations and individuals manage their finances. They can help them develop a strategy to achieve their goals, including paying off debts and investing in the future. In addition, he or she can help individuals make informed decisions.

Welding Engineer

Welding Engineer Job Description: A Welding Engineer work involves managing welding projects and supervising welding teams. He or she is responsible for reviewing welding procedures, processes and documentation. A career as Welding Engineer involves conducting failure analyses and causes on welding issues. 

Transportation Planner

A career as Transportation Planner requires technical application of science and technology in engineering, particularly the concepts, equipment and technologies involved in the production of products and services. In fields like land use, infrastructure review, ecological standards and street design, he or she considers issues of health, environment and performance. A Transportation Planner assigns resources for implementing and designing programmes. He or she is responsible for assessing needs, preparing plans and forecasts and compliance with regulations.

An expert in plumbing is aware of building regulations and safety standards and works to make sure these standards are upheld. Testing pipes for leakage using air pressure and other gauges, and also the ability to construct new pipe systems by cutting, fitting, measuring and threading pipes are some of the other more involved aspects of plumbing. Individuals in the plumber career path are self-employed or work for a small business employing less than ten people, though some might find working for larger entities or the government more desirable.

Construction Manager

Individuals who opt for a career as construction managers have a senior-level management role offered in construction firms. Responsibilities in the construction management career path are assigning tasks to workers, inspecting their work, and coordinating with other professionals including architects, subcontractors, and building services engineers.

Urban Planner

Urban Planning careers revolve around the idea of developing a plan to use the land optimally, without affecting the environment. Urban planning jobs are offered to those candidates who are skilled in making the right use of land to distribute the growing population, to create various communities. 

Urban planning careers come with the opportunity to make changes to the existing cities and towns. They identify various community needs and make short and long-term plans accordingly.

Highway Engineer

Highway Engineer Job Description:  A Highway Engineer is a civil engineer who specialises in planning and building thousands of miles of roads that support connectivity and allow transportation across the country. He or she ensures that traffic management schemes are effectively planned concerning economic sustainability and successful implementation.

Environmental Engineer

Individuals who opt for a career as an environmental engineer are construction professionals who utilise the skills and knowledge of biology, soil science, chemistry and the concept of engineering to design and develop projects that serve as solutions to various environmental problems. 

Naval Architect

A Naval Architect is a professional who designs, produces and repairs safe and sea-worthy surfaces or underwater structures. A Naval Architect stays involved in creating and designing ships, ferries, submarines and yachts with implementation of various principles such as gravity, ideal hull form, buoyancy and stability. 

Orthotist and Prosthetist

Orthotists and Prosthetists are professionals who provide aid to patients with disabilities. They fix them to artificial limbs (prosthetics) and help them to regain stability. There are times when people lose their limbs in an accident. In some other occasions, they are born without a limb or orthopaedic impairment. Orthotists and prosthetists play a crucial role in their lives with fixing them to assistive devices and provide mobility.

Veterinary Doctor

Pathologist.

A career in pathology in India is filled with several responsibilities as it is a medical branch and affects human lives. The demand for pathologists has been increasing over the past few years as people are getting more aware of different diseases. Not only that, but an increase in population and lifestyle changes have also contributed to the increase in a pathologist’s demand. The pathology careers provide an extremely huge number of opportunities and if you want to be a part of the medical field you can consider being a pathologist. If you want to know more about a career in pathology in India then continue reading this article.

Speech Therapist

Gynaecologist.

Gynaecology can be defined as the study of the female body. The job outlook for gynaecology is excellent since there is evergreen demand for one because of their responsibility of dealing with not only women’s health but also fertility and pregnancy issues. Although most women prefer to have a women obstetrician gynaecologist as their doctor, men also explore a career as a gynaecologist and there are ample amounts of male doctors in the field who are gynaecologists and aid women during delivery and childbirth. 

An oncologist is a specialised doctor responsible for providing medical care to patients diagnosed with cancer. He or she uses several therapies to control the cancer and its effect on the human body such as chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiation therapy and biopsy. An oncologist designs a treatment plan based on a pathology report after diagnosing the type of cancer and where it is spreading inside the body.

Audiologist

The audiologist career involves audiology professionals who are responsible to treat hearing loss and proactively preventing the relevant damage. Individuals who opt for a career as an audiologist use various testing strategies with the aim to determine if someone has a normal sensitivity to sounds or not. After the identification of hearing loss, a hearing doctor is required to determine which sections of the hearing are affected, to what extent they are affected, and where the wound causing the hearing loss is found. As soon as the hearing loss is identified, the patients are provided with recommendations for interventions and rehabilitation such as hearing aids, cochlear implants, and appropriate medical referrals. While audiology is a branch of science that studies and researches hearing, balance, and related disorders.

Hospital Administrator

The hospital Administrator is in charge of organising and supervising the daily operations of medical services and facilities. This organising includes managing of organisation’s staff and its members in service, budgets, service reports, departmental reporting and taking reminders of patient care and services.

For an individual who opts for a career as an actor, the primary responsibility is to completely speak to the character he or she is playing and to persuade the crowd that the character is genuine by connecting with them and bringing them into the story. This applies to significant roles and littler parts, as all roles join to make an effective creation. Here in this article, we will discuss how to become an actor in India, actor exams, actor salary in India, and actor jobs. 

Individuals who opt for a career as acrobats create and direct original routines for themselves, in addition to developing interpretations of existing routines. The work of circus acrobats can be seen in a variety of performance settings, including circus, reality shows, sports events like the Olympics, movies and commercials. Individuals who opt for a career as acrobats must be prepared to face rejections and intermittent periods of work. The creativity of acrobats may extend to other aspects of the performance. For example, acrobats in the circus may work with gym trainers, celebrities or collaborate with other professionals to enhance such performance elements as costume and or maybe at the teaching end of the career.

Video Game Designer

Career as a video game designer is filled with excitement as well as responsibilities. A video game designer is someone who is involved in the process of creating a game from day one. He or she is responsible for fulfilling duties like designing the character of the game, the several levels involved, plot, art and similar other elements. Individuals who opt for a career as a video game designer may also write the codes for the game using different programming languages.

Depending on the video game designer job description and experience they may also have to lead a team and do the early testing of the game in order to suggest changes and find loopholes.

Radio Jockey

Radio Jockey is an exciting, promising career and a great challenge for music lovers. If you are really interested in a career as radio jockey, then it is very important for an RJ to have an automatic, fun, and friendly personality. If you want to get a job done in this field, a strong command of the language and a good voice are always good things. Apart from this, in order to be a good radio jockey, you will also listen to good radio jockeys so that you can understand their style and later make your own by practicing.

A career as radio jockey has a lot to offer to deserving candidates. If you want to know more about a career as radio jockey, and how to become a radio jockey then continue reading the article.

Choreographer

The word “choreography" actually comes from Greek words that mean “dance writing." Individuals who opt for a career as a choreographer create and direct original dances, in addition to developing interpretations of existing dances. A Choreographer dances and utilises his or her creativity in other aspects of dance performance. For example, he or she may work with the music director to select music or collaborate with other famous choreographers to enhance such performance elements as lighting, costume and set design.

Videographer

Multimedia specialist.

A multimedia specialist is a media professional who creates, audio, videos, graphic image files, computer animations for multimedia applications. He or she is responsible for planning, producing, and maintaining websites and applications. 

Social Media Manager

A career as social media manager involves implementing the company’s or brand’s marketing plan across all social media channels. Social media managers help in building or improving a brand’s or a company’s website traffic, build brand awareness, create and implement marketing and brand strategy. Social media managers are key to important social communication as well.

Copy Writer

In a career as a copywriter, one has to consult with the client and understand the brief well. A career as a copywriter has a lot to offer to deserving candidates. Several new mediums of advertising are opening therefore making it a lucrative career choice. Students can pursue various copywriter courses such as Journalism , Advertising , Marketing Management . Here, we have discussed how to become a freelance copywriter, copywriter career path, how to become a copywriter in India, and copywriting career outlook. 

Careers in journalism are filled with excitement as well as responsibilities. One cannot afford to miss out on the details. As it is the small details that provide insights into a story. Depending on those insights a journalist goes about writing a news article. A journalism career can be stressful at times but if you are someone who is passionate about it then it is the right choice for you. If you want to know more about the media field and journalist career then continue reading this article.

For publishing books, newspapers, magazines and digital material, editorial and commercial strategies are set by publishers. Individuals in publishing career paths make choices about the markets their businesses will reach and the type of content that their audience will be served. Individuals in book publisher careers collaborate with editorial staff, designers, authors, and freelance contributors who develop and manage the creation of content.

In a career as a vlogger, one generally works for himself or herself. However, once an individual has gained viewership there are several brands and companies that approach them for paid collaboration. It is one of those fields where an individual can earn well while following his or her passion. 

Ever since internet costs got reduced the viewership for these types of content has increased on a large scale. Therefore, a career as a vlogger has a lot to offer. If you want to know more about the Vlogger eligibility, roles and responsibilities then continue reading the article. 

Individuals in the editor career path is an unsung hero of the news industry who polishes the language of the news stories provided by stringers, reporters, copywriters and content writers and also news agencies. Individuals who opt for a career as an editor make it more persuasive, concise and clear for readers. In this article, we will discuss the details of the editor's career path such as how to become an editor in India, editor salary in India and editor skills and qualities.

Linguistic meaning is related to language or Linguistics which is the study of languages. A career as a linguistic meaning, a profession that is based on the scientific study of language, and it's a very broad field with many specialities. Famous linguists work in academia, researching and teaching different areas of language, such as phonetics (sounds), syntax (word order) and semantics (meaning). 

Other researchers focus on specialities like computational linguistics, which seeks to better match human and computer language capacities, or applied linguistics, which is concerned with improving language education. Still, others work as language experts for the government, advertising companies, dictionary publishers and various other private enterprises. Some might work from home as freelance linguists. Philologist, phonologist, and dialectician are some of Linguist synonym. Linguists can study French , German , Italian . 

Public Relation Executive

Travel journalist.

The career of a travel journalist is full of passion, excitement and responsibility. Journalism as a career could be challenging at times, but if you're someone who has been genuinely enthusiastic about all this, then it is the best decision for you. Travel journalism jobs are all about insightful, artfully written, informative narratives designed to cover the travel industry. Travel Journalist is someone who explores, gathers and presents information as a news article.

Quality Controller

A quality controller plays a crucial role in an organisation. He or she is responsible for performing quality checks on manufactured products. He or she identifies the defects in a product and rejects the product. 

A quality controller records detailed information about products with defects and sends it to the supervisor or plant manager to take necessary actions to improve the production process.

Production Manager

Merchandiser.

A QA Lead is in charge of the QA Team. The role of QA Lead comes with the responsibility of assessing services and products in order to determine that he or she meets the quality standards. He or she develops, implements and manages test plans. 

Metallurgical Engineer

A metallurgical engineer is a professional who studies and produces materials that bring power to our world. He or she extracts metals from ores and rocks and transforms them into alloys, high-purity metals and other materials used in developing infrastructure, transportation and healthcare equipment. 

Azure Administrator

An Azure Administrator is a professional responsible for implementing, monitoring, and maintaining Azure Solutions. He or she manages cloud infrastructure service instances and various cloud servers as well as sets up public and private cloud systems. 

AWS Solution Architect

An AWS Solution Architect is someone who specializes in developing and implementing cloud computing systems. He or she has a good understanding of the various aspects of cloud computing and can confidently deploy and manage their systems. He or she troubleshoots the issues and evaluates the risk from the third party. 

Computer Programmer

Careers in computer programming primarily refer to the systematic act of writing code and moreover include wider computer science areas. The word 'programmer' or 'coder' has entered into practice with the growing number of newly self-taught tech enthusiasts. Computer programming careers involve the use of designs created by software developers and engineers and transforming them into commands that can be implemented by computers. These commands result in regular usage of social media sites, word-processing applications and browsers.

ITSM Manager

Information security manager.

Individuals in the information security manager career path involves in overseeing and controlling all aspects of computer security. The IT security manager job description includes planning and carrying out security measures to protect the business data and information from corruption, theft, unauthorised access, and deliberate attack 

Business Intelligence Developer

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What 10 Years of Modi Rule Has Meant for India’s Economy

Narendra Modi has kept India on its swift upward path among the world’s largest economies. Many Indians are better off, though wealth gaps have widened.

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By Alex Travelli

Alex Travelli, the South Asia business correspondent, has reported from New Delhi since 2013.

As Narendra Modi was storming to victory in the election of 2014, he said that “ acchhe din aane waale hain” — good times are coming.

Now as Mr. Modi stands set to secure another term as prime minister in elections starting on April 19 , the value of India’s stock market has grown threefold since he first took office. India’s economy is almost twice as big as it was.

Stocks have risen so much because the number of Indians with enough wealth and appetite for investment risk has jumped — to nearly 5 percent of the population from barely 2 percent.

But the economic gains have been widely unequal. The bulk of India’s growth depends on those at the top of the income ladder, including a coterie of huge and tightly controlled businesses.

Ninety percent of India’s population of 1.4 billion is estimated to subsist on less than $3,500 a year . Yet in the poorest rural districts, life has been made more bearable by welfare programs that have expanded under Mr. Modi. Many of the benefits are solid and visible: sacks of free grain, toilets, gas cylinders and housing materials. Purely commercial developments have transformed village life: LED lights, cheap smartphones and nearly free mobile data have changed the nature of idle time.

While America was experiencing a “ vibecession ,” feeling glum despite upbeat economic news, India has been doing the opposite. Here many of the signals are mixed — but the vibes are fantastic. International surveys show India’s consumers have become the most upbeat anywhere.

Foreigners are also feeling good about the Modi economy. Banks like Morgan Stanley and JPMorgan Chase are rushing to upgrade India’s weighting in their global stock and bond indexes. Chris Wood, one of the best-regarded market strategists in Asia, warned that if Mr. Modi were not re-elected this year, Indian markets could crash by 25 percent or more.

A strange thing about the spirit of optimism about the Modi economy is that India’s rates of growth over the past 10 years have been very similar to those of the decade that preceded it, under a government that Mr. Modi often blames for wrecking the country.

As real as it is, the Indian economic success story is also an attribute of what could be the singular characteristic of Mr. Modi’s years in the top job: his ability to control all levers of power, with showmanship as the first priority .

Mr. Modi’s face is everywhere, perhaps more present in New Delhi than that of any democratically elected leader in any other capital. In the run-up to the Group of 20 summit last September, his slogans took credit for virtually every positive development that could be found in this inexorably emerging economy.

In the bullish climate surrounding the Indian economy, even the pessimists are optimistic. While official statistics anticipate growth of 7.3 percent in the current fiscal year, most finance professionals in Mumbai peg the figure at 6 to 6.5 percent. The lowest estimate touches 4.5 percent, which would still beat the United States and possibly China.

Expressing even mild skepticism is avoided. Economists who depend on government work must be careful not to speak frankly. Economists who do not work with the government are becoming scarce, as independent think tanks are raided and shuttered.

Message control is much more pronounced than it was under Mr. Modi’s predecessor, the award-winning economist Manmohan Singh. India became known as a “ flailing state ” during Mr. Singh’s time in office, even with growth occasionally hitting the 10 percent mark.

Mr. Modi has been busy remaking the institutions of Indian governance. Political competition has been all but eliminated at the national level, and he has exploited animosity against the country’s Muslim minority of 200 million.

Mr. Modi has also used state power to make things happen in strictly economic affairs, mostly for better though sometimes for worse. Infrastructure is on a tear. There is some overbuilding, but the fact that building gets done is a welcome relief. Welfare programs have become more responsive.

India — especially in banking and business transactions — has made a widespread digital leap . The push began during the previous management of Mr. Singh, but Mr. Modi has run with it. The “India Stack,” a suite of software platforms that runs on the base of Aadhaar, a biometric identification system, means that Indians now have access to faster and cheaper peer-to-peer transactions than Americans.

Taxes have been overhauled. India has driven more of the economy into the formal sector, for instance by enacting a Goods and Services Tax like Europe’s value-added tax, allowing more revenue to be extracted from more people and businesses. That has freed up money for public spending and, by lowering corporate tax rates, private financing.

One minus on the digitization ledger came on Nov. 8, 2016, when at 8 p.m. Mr. Modi abruptly declared that all large currency notes were suddenly worthless. That was supposed to deprive criminals of “black money.” Instead, it crippled economic activity.

There are other ways the Indian government’s power to act decisively and usually without check has created distortions and inequalities. The biggest companies have profited wildly. Of the $1.4 trillion in wealth created by the most prestigious stock index from 2012 to 2022, 80 percent went to 20 companies, Marcellus Investment Managers in Mumbai estimated in 2022. Those companies are the ones that can talk directly to the government.

No one better illustrates the concentration of corporate wealth, and the risks associated with it, than Gautam Adani . Outside India, few knew his name until 2022, when he suddenly appeared on lists as the world’s second-richest person, after Elon Musk.

The flagship stock of Mr. Adani’s conglomerate nearly doubled in the year after Mr. Modi was elected and grew eight times larger after he was re-elected in 2019. The Adani Group became, in effect, a logistics arm of the government, building up ports, highways, bridges and solar farms at speeds never before seen.

Then last year Mr. Adani’s empire was accused of fraud by a New York short-seller, costing Mr. Adani $150 billion on paper. Though Mr. Adani, who denied the claims, has recouped most of the money he lost, the episode exposed a risk in the Modi strategy of allowing the few at the tippy top to amass enormous clout.

Companies aside, on an individual level, India’s recent growth has been uncomfortably unequal. Having the world’s biggest population explains why so many foreign investors are attracted to its consumer market. Most Indians are rural, and 75 percent of them are by most measures poor, qualifying for free food rations intended to prevent malnutrition. Though that warrants some caution, it leaves room for growth.

Sales of luxury goods have been booming, especially since the pandemic, generating yearslong waiting lists for vehicles like the Mercedes G 63. Sales of motorbikes and scooters, which transport far more Indians than all the four-wheeled cars combined, have been stagnant.

The most painful aspect of the economy is the jobs situation. Officially about 7 percent of Indians are unemployed. Vastly more are underemployed. In the past month, Indians desperate to find better incomes abroad have died trying: crossing the United States’ borders, fighting as underequipped mercenaries for Russia in Ukraine and filling positions left empty by Palestinians forced to stop working in Israel.

And yet, the ascent of India in the world economy seems preordained. It has moved ahead of Britain to become the world’s fifth-largest economy, and it is expected to surpass Japan and Germany to become the world’s third largest within the next few years.

More multinational businesses are expected to flock to India, creating opportunities for Indians. Only a small proportion of consumers can expect to enjoy living standards taken for granted in the United States, but they are becoming more numerous by the year, and can now be found even in small cities.

Red tape remains to impede businesses without connections to the top of government. But the direction of movement is promising: Projects that used to require two years of permission-seeking can now be completed in 15 days.

Along with the acchhe din he promised in 2014, Mr. Modi pledged “minimum government, maximum governance,” sounding like a 1980s America free marketeer. In practice, his economic approach has not been defined by theory or ideology. He has thrown everything against the wall to see what sticks. He has thrown persistently, and with force. When economists talk about India, they have stopped talking about the “flailing state.”

Alex Travelli is a correspondent for The Times based in New Delhi, covering business and economic matters in India and the rest of South Asia. He previously worked as an editor and correspondent for The Economist. More about Alex Travelli

I was nervous and lonely after I got put on a PIP at work. But I survived and think it helped me grow.

• A woman who works in digital marketing was put on a performance-improvement plan in a new job.
• As a result of an ADHD diagnosis and treatment, she was able to improve her performance, she said.
• She survived her PIP and has tried to help new hires so they don't feel as isolated as she did.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with a woman based in the US who works in digital marketing. She was put on a performance-improvement plan several months into a new job. She'd been fired from a prior role and didn't expect to survive the PIP. However, diagnosis and treatment for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder helped improve her focus. She asked that Business Insider withhold her identity because she didn't want her story to reflect poorly on her employer's training process. The following has been edited for brevity and clarity.

I work in digital marketing. When I was placed on a PIP, I had a lot of people tell me to start looking for another job. Some said not to even fight the PIP because my bosses already had it in their minds to fire me. Even recruiters and my friends who work in HR said that.

But my circumstances were a little different. Most of the bosses are pretty young. They're my age — early 30s — and I think they really did have the intention of sharpening me up a bit. They did exactly what the performance improvement plan is supposed to be for, which is to get team members up to the standards they expect.

The problem I had was that my boss hired me and then went on maternity leave. Once I started, there was a period of several months when she was gone, and I felt like I was just left out in the woods. I was relying on my teammates to train me — people who didn't have experience doing that. When my boss got back, she seemed frustrated that the two new hires — myself and someone else — weren't up to par.

I did feel it was unfair to be placed on a PIP because of that, but I'd had a history of losing jobs. I had always had a lot of focus issues. However, during the PIP, I was diagnosed with ADHD, which I think explains why I sometimes struggled at work.

I survived my PIP, but a coworker didn't

Two of us were placed on a PIP at the same time — the two new people. Everyone else on the team had been there for four or five years. They ended up firing the other new team member. When they fired him, I thought I was also on the chopping block, though eventually, my coworkers told me he just wasn't meeting the expectations of the PIP.

The PIP meeting was the first time my employer formally stated expectations and standards. How can you meet expectations if you don't know what they are? I heard things like, "You need to reply to clients within 24 hours. Send meeting notes 30 minutes prior to a call." No one had ever said any of that.

I've heard that the more realistic the objectives, the more you can pass a PIP. Ours are pretty well-defined and pretty realistic. It was things like being online by 8 a.m. and having your camera on for meetings. These things hadn't been stated but were easy to achieve.

A lot of my job is meeting with clients. When my boss returned from maternity leave, she was on all of my calls supervising. Afterward, she would send me notes with, "Here's what I would have said." That was the first time that I ever had any real feedback. Before she came back, my other workers were supervising. Everyone would just say, "Oh, good job on the call."

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Both my managers are very busy. Before my PIP, I felt like I had to ask my coworkers questions on calls. I didn't want to send a message through Teams because I didn't want any trace of it. I didn't want it to seem like I didn't know anything. I didn't know what they expected me to know.

After my PIP, we eventually got two new hires. I told my boss, "Here's what went wrong. Here's what the new hires need to know so they are not placed on a PIP." There was a lot of company knowledge that I didn't glean when she was gone. I felt like I didn't have anyone to turn to because I didn't want to keep bugging my coworkers. We work remotely, and I think that in an office setting, I would have had more opportunities to ask questions. I feel like I was thrown to the wolves in some regard.

I just made sure the new hires knew that they could ask me anything at any time. I felt very alone during my PIP, and I don't want others to experience that feeling. I am a first-generation college graduate. I was the first generation to work in a corporate role. So I have nobody to go to when something like this happens.

ADHD medication is helping me focus

The ADHD medication is helping a lot. It's helping with my focus. Once I was diagnosed and started learning more about ADHD, I felt like I understood my whole life. I remember being a teenager, and I was a straight-A student. I had wanted to be a doctor, but I told myself, "I can't handle that." I didn't know that I had this attention-deficit disorder. The diagnosis and medication have really changed the game for me.

When I was put on the PIP, I was in crisis mode. I was considering switching to a different career. I was thinking of becoming an EMT. Random stuff. But I thought, let me knuckle down in this job first and give it 110%. At the time, I didn't have an ADHD diagnosis.

I never felt confident during the PIP that I was going to survive it. I would get messages from my bosses like, "Good work. You're coming up to speed on things." Everything that they said during it was positive, but because of what I'd heard about PIPs, I expected to get fired.

Then, after my diagnosis, I was taking my medication every day and working around the clock. I was very vocal and transparent with both of my bosses about what I was doing because we had weekly check-ins for the PIP.

But it was hard to know what to disclose. On one call, I was very hesitant to mention it, but I said, "I was recently diagnosed with ADHD, and I know that it's affecting my performance. I apologize if there were any gaps." I told them I was on medication that's really helping. They said, "Thank you so much for telling us. We're really glad that you opened up to us about that. We wish you would have said something sooner because we could make accommodations." It ended up being a positive for me to say that, but I was taking a gamble because it can also be used against you.

It's not the warmest office. It's not the most transparent management. I didn't feel like I had a rapport with one of my bosses until I met her in person. Then she ended up apologizing for the PIP and saying that after she had her baby, she had postpartum depression and was kind of going through a lot and needed the team to be at 100% because it would help her out, too.

I didn't have the final PIP meeting. They just sent an email saying that I passed and that we wouldn't have the check-ins and everything was fine. And they copied HR. I felt very relieved. But I still felt weary and like I needed to tread lightly. You still have to continue the standard that they set.

The PIP process, on the whole, was positive — having so much transparency for the first time. Now I know I can go to my bosses and say, "Hey, I'm not able to get a refill of my medication because of a shortage. I'm sorry if you need to remind me about anything. Just feel free to be harder on me during this."

Overall, I feel more job security now. They're even putting me on new accounts. Do you have something to share about a PIP or what you're seeing in your workplace? Business Insider would like to hear from you. Email our workplace team from a nonwork device at [email protected]  with your story or to ask for one of our reporter's Signal numbers. Or check out   Business Insider's source guide  for tips on sharing information securely.

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