The historical legacy
At the time of independence, India was characterised by deeply entrenched social hierarchies, defined by caste, gender, region and religion. The feudal zamindari system divided rural society into three broad classes: landlords (zamindars), tenant farmers, and landless labourers. Women, Untouchables, and tribal peoples were excluded from decision-making at both regional and national levels. The new government of India set the goals of unifying the nation, building industry, promoting economic growth, and in the course of these, reducing inequality and poverty. (This is a Ôtrickle-downÕ model of development) To what extent has it succeeded?
Trends in poverty
In India, the poverty line is defined as an income sufficient to buy food providing 2,400 calories (rural) and 2,100 calories (urban), plus 20% of that amount for other basic needs. During the 1950s - 1970s, the percentage defined as below this line fluctuated around 50% of the population. Since that time, there has been some decline but even in the early 1990s it stood at over 30% for both rural and urban populations. These rates do not apply equally to all sectors of society. Poverty is especially pronounced among the Scheduled castes and tribes, and among agricultural labourers. There is also a growing class of urban poor, economic refugees seeking an income in the city and finding themselves with no job or housing. Beggars are still very common, and provide the western visitor with their most disturbing images of India. Inequalities in India are not only very widespread: they are very visible, with beggars living on the pavements outside luxury hotels.