From the moment you arrive in this city you cannot ignore the incredible contrast between the "haves" and "have nots". While I have seen incredible wealth around the world, most recently in Dubai, it is the direct contrast of literally a multimillion dollar home next to one of the largest slums in the world that just takes your breath away.
Last night while talking with two Acumen Fund Fellows, Yehia Houry and Satoko Okamoto, both of whom cross between these worlds on a daily basis, moving from Dharavi to the Four Seasons in less than 12 hours, we asked the question: In so many countries around the world this tension and visible disparity has created tremendous unrest, South Africa for example.. Why in Bombay is there not more violence toward the wealthy?
So what is it? Acceptance? Religion? I certainly don't have the answer but am curious to hear all of your thoughts...
Well, for one South Africa and the US have colonial histories with distinctive racial oppression, which has still to be resolved in both countries. I think this distinguishes them from most other parts of the world.
ReplyDeleteI think we need to really define poverty. Many people who live on under $4 a day lead happy and productive lives. You are finding that along your ride there. It is my understanding that there in Mumbai some of those living in the "slums" are protesting the demolition of their communities to make room for modern updated structures.
You are on the right track Blair. Your answers lie in listening to those on the ground. The answers come from the bottom of the pyramid, with each context offering its unique perspectives.
Hi Blair, i've been tuning into your blog from time to time.
ReplyDeletePerhaps people in India except this because of hundreds if not thousands of years of the caste system. They probably consider it 'normal' for some to have less and other to have more (i.e one's lot/luck/karma in life). I also reckon most of the poor come from the lower castes which have always been poor and downtrodden.
Look fwd to more of your posts.
Navraj.
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ReplyDeleteHi Blaire,
ReplyDeleteBeen reading the fellows posts and the links from your responses and so on (Quite a distraction from the Acumen Fellows application!!) for quite a while and this particular note struck a strong nerve with me.
I am from Mumbai and have seen the poverty, the "contrast" of haggling for a 100rs item and then "splurging" it on food after or considering whether to give money at certain instances.
The reason I think the imbalance does not lead to violence or ill-will of significant accord is two fold
#1 - Seeing people succeed/fail - In India, you see single/multiple people in a family attain different outcomes/results based on their education, effort, luck or opportunity - moving out of villages to urban cities and "landing" a city job can lead to this, so can getting in to a job and so on.
#2 - Navraj hints at this, but people do believe in the karma or cycle and believe that the hardships they suffer will purge and change as they evolve through the cycles of re-birth towards salvation - additionally, the strong faith in god/devotion leads to some of this as well (I have a strong feeling that poverty stricken Indians are more likely to be religious (NOT measured by donation) than the richer folk).
Thanks for a really insightful discussion and thought stream - I sure hope to continue to challenge my every day life and learn all the time.