I am the typical urbanite living in a world driven by the market. I earn decently well, being in the IT industry. Not what I think I should be given that I am stagnating in the same company for more than 5 years, so maybe the next job hunt is eminent. But yes, apparently I deserve more, more because everyone in my field with my number of years of experience is earning a certain number. Yes, I deserve more, because anything less would be underselling myself. Yes, I deserve to make the most of the opportunities provided to me from childhood to this current moment, and by an industry that thrives on job hops to get more pay. An opportunity available to me, thanks to my being born in a certain family, with certain value systems, with a certain exposure to the world, with a certain capability to get me an education, probably not in the best school around, but a good one with solid grounding that helped me take on responsibilities in every aspect of my life.
Its all luck I say. Capitalism, they say, is all about working hard and if you end up making a ton of money because of "your" initiative, you are revered and respected, because you made it on your own steam. Crap.
Imagine a guy who is working hard making roads or railway lines in places like Delhi, in summer. Working hard, yes, getting paid reasonably well for it? Hell no. What if I had been born into that family? I am privileged not just because of my abilities, but because of which family I was born into. Because I am a product of all the years of education, thanks to my parents money being well spent on grooming me, ensuring I got the right breaks in life. That's why I am where I am. I got the opportunities. Not because I started out equal with everyone and somehow my thirst to do more and achieve more got me more. Now I get to make hay while the sun shines. And so my kids shall. Its great, except when you are born in the wrong family. As simple as that.
So the story evolves usually about the two classes in India, the haves v/s the have-nots. I am sure that this topic has been analyzed by the intellectuals oh so many times.Somehow things have improved for everyone. The new India is shining supposedly. Even the maids salaries have gone up 10 fold. They have more purchasing power. Their kids get to go to English medium schools. Things are not as bad for them.
And yet, the same kids, had they been born in a better off family would have been able to make capitalism work better for them. Truly.
Somehow it all boils down to the rich getting wealthier and wealthier, and the poor definitely improving over the previous generation, but not quite getting the breaks that come automatically to the wealthier lot. Beaten topic, I know. Sigh!
Sometimes I wonder if capitalism is all that great as its made out to be..
Its all luck I say. Capitalism, they say, is all about working hard and if you end up making a ton of money because of "your" initiative, you are revered and respected, because you made it on your own steam. Crap.
Imagine a guy who is working hard making roads or railway lines in places like Delhi, in summer. Working hard, yes, getting paid reasonably well for it? Hell no. What if I had been born into that family? I am privileged not just because of my abilities, but because of which family I was born into. Because I am a product of all the years of education, thanks to my parents money being well spent on grooming me, ensuring I got the right breaks in life. That's why I am where I am. I got the opportunities. Not because I started out equal with everyone and somehow my thirst to do more and achieve more got me more. Now I get to make hay while the sun shines. And so my kids shall. Its great, except when you are born in the wrong family. As simple as that.
So the story evolves usually about the two classes in India, the haves v/s the have-nots. I am sure that this topic has been analyzed by the intellectuals oh so many times.Somehow things have improved for everyone. The new India is shining supposedly. Even the maids salaries have gone up 10 fold. They have more purchasing power. Their kids get to go to English medium schools. Things are not as bad for them.
And yet, the same kids, had they been born in a better off family would have been able to make capitalism work better for them. Truly.
Somehow it all boils down to the rich getting wealthier and wealthier, and the poor definitely improving over the previous generation, but not quite getting the breaks that come automatically to the wealthier lot. Beaten topic, I know. Sigh!
Sometimes I wonder if capitalism is all that great as its made out to be..
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