Great Indian Boomtowns

The New York Times the topic of Indian growth with images of Gurgaon slums, in an article called "Inside Gate, India's Good Life; Outside, the Slums" (thanks Lisa, NY Times' #1 Reader). Definitely an interesting read highlighting something that Indian society, myself included, tends to pass up without an eye. It's highlighting the difference in the classes, but also the caste system which comes so naturally here. It's really strange seeing large slums and shacks alongside our office building, for example, but something which not only common but almost expected.

I think Gurgaon magnifies a part of the world unlike I have ever seen it before - an ultra-wealthy upper class emerging alongside a lower class which survives on less than 50 cents (US) per day. Top consulting firms, internet giants, powerful NGOs, governmental organizations, luxury apartments, and country clubs all call Gurgaon home. With every new building or mall, so too comes acres and acres of slums which are guarded by steel sheets and plastic tarps. It's truly day and night, separated only by a single gate, but that gate is so much more than pieces of metal wielded together.