Only bottom up economic changes can save society
In Tamil Nadu, every single family in the huge metropolis of Chennai has ab average income of around Rs28000 and most live in their own houses in the outskirts of the cities or even villages spread over a radius of 65 kilometers on all the four sides, including the one side that the sea is there in a big way. Every single fellow is at least a twelth standard passed person.Very few construction workers, mostly uprooted from their farming labour work for some reason or the other, also earn a family income of at least six hundred rupees as both husband and wife are employed.Every single child gets to study at least in Govt schools. Govt medical care is among the best in India and the town bus travel is free for women. There are an estimated six hundred thousand women employed in hundreds of self-help groups. Or they are self-employed. This but here and sell there kind of arrangement is a fabulous success because women sell everything by travelling to neighbouring places.
There is a massive economy of the poor by the poor and for the poor. For example, in hundreds of villages and idli may still cost Rs4 or Rs5 in so many small shops. The poor have their own coping mechanisms.
It is impossible to see absolute poverty anywhere. Every family has a diploma holder or a technically trained person and the massive service sector also supports huge self-employment.
All this is possible only because there is a massive emphasis on a bottom up economic model. However, big time investments in IT areas now coming to small towns like Salem Villupuram and so on. Hence, the GDP growth is the second highest in India.
Tamil Nadu has had the basics right. Yes. There are pitfalls and corruption as well. But corruption is an all-India menace as we, the people are also part of it. The Tamil Nadu model is worth advanced research.