Rajathan and India - is the growth clock be ing set back

About a fortnight ago, I was gushing about the prospects of Rajasthan to an old friend of mine– the rapid economic development taking place and how it will pull millions out of poverty .

The R in BIMARU will be dropped soon , an acronym coined by taking the first letter of four very backward northern Indian states: Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh. “Social studies text books in schools have to be rewritten and Rajasthan will be ranked along Indian best economically performing states,” I prophesized.

“There is Infosys and Honda in Jaipur and all you are concerned about is the hues and strength of Rajasthan marble,” I told my friend who has his finger in real estate and construction. And the Delhi – Jaipur highway looks like one of the best roads in the country with hotels and entertainment centers on either side.

“We must go and see it,” said my ever willing to travel friend but luckily he could not draw his couch potato friend away from comfort zone to the battlefield as the recent turn of events show. Here.

Perhaps, the events in Rajasthan show that rapid economic development of India cant be taken for granted. There are many dangers to our growth from within. The clock has been turned back for Rajasthan by a few years and the same fate may fall on India unless we pay heed and act to sooth our frayed social nerves.