India remains one of the most unequal countries worldwide when it comes to economic and gender inequalities, we met two families to show this gap.

Varanasi

India remains starkly divided by economic and gender inequalities, a reality reflected in the lives of its citizens, despite the nation experiencing rapid economic growth over the years. Kismati Devi, who raised seven children while managing a farm, represents the segment of the population that has seen marginal improvements in living standards. With the advent of electricity in her home, amenities such as electric fans have made life more bearable during the hot seasons, contrasting heavily with her past struggles.

However, the disparity in wealth distribution remains profound. The rich and the middle class, particularly those earning more than 500,000 rupees annually, have seen their wealth increase significantly in the last nine years, unlike the poorer segments of Indian society. This gap has been further exacerbated in the past decade, with the top 1% witnessing explosive growth in income and assets. Such inequality extends to access to quality education and healthcare, privileges that only the affluent can comfortably afford. Additionally, the country faced a 5.5% inflation rate last year, adding to the burden of those less economically fortunate.

Jawed Habib, a successful entrepreneur who owns a chain of hair salons across India, exemplifies a contrasting narrative to that of Kismati Devi. Habib, who now trains over 10,000 hairdressers annually, leveraged a simple business idea to amass wealth. His initiative, supported by a non-governmental organization, aims at educating girls in his village, underlining the critical role of education in overcoming societal inequalities. Habib’s story reflects a belief in the potential for upward socioeconomic mobility through education, despite the persistent inequality that plagues India.

The existing economic and gender divide in India presents a substantial challenge, one that demands the attention of future governments. As the nation progresses, the disparity between the wealthy and the poor underscores the urgent need for inclusive policies that address the root causes of inequality. India's journey toward equality remains fraught, highlighting the importance of education and equitable opportunities for all its citizens.



The faces of inequality in India

It was hard work raising seven children here and running a farm. Nevertheless, Kismati Devi looks back on the last few decades and how her life has improved. Things have changed now. Since my daughter's birth, even the cattle here can be fed with the bread we make. We didn't have much space before. When it was hot, we had to use hand fans and we were not able to sleep because of the heat. Now we have electricity in the house, we have an electric fan and we have light. Like this family in Varanasi in northern India, millions of people in the country feel the same way. But while the economy is exploding, wealth is unevenly distributed. This is how the rich and middle class in India, who earn more than 500,000 rupees a year, grew so much richer in the past nine years. The poorer classes did not get wealthier at the same speed at all. We've had an extreme accentuation of this and particularly in the last decade, the incomes and assets of the top 1% of the country have exploded. Only the rich can afford a good education or full health care. On top of that was inflation, which was 5.5% last year alone. With a simple business idea, Jawed Habib got rich quickly. He runs hair saloons all over India and now trains over 10,000 hairdressers every year. He wants to make a contribution. India was considered a poor country. Teaching has changed me a lot. It has taught me that in India, doctors and engineers are needed. However, even in this India, a barber could also become a successful brand. But what would be the foundation of this success? Education, education and education. He's teaching the girls from her village thanks to an NGO. She knows that in the future, only those who are better educated will be able to rise in Indian society. India is still a long way from equality, an issue that will be one of the most pressing for the future government.

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