New Delhi   

Bringing together India and China

NEW DELHI: Bringing together Asian powerhouses India and China on a common platform within the confines of a book, Sage Publication’s “Patterns of Middle Class Consumption in India and China” was released at India International Centre here on Tuesday.

Releasing the book, University Grants Commission Chairman S. K. Thorat said he hadn’t gone through the book, but it appeared to be a “fairly comprehensive analysis of consumption patterns that were related to the rise in per capita income”.

Edited by Christophe Jaffrelot and Peter van der Veer, the book offers an interesting take on the similarities and dissimilarities in the “rising” middle class of the two countries.

Speaking on the occasion, Jawaharlal Nehru University’s political scientist Zoya Hasan said though the idea of comparing India and China was intriguing, pivoting the discussion solely around consumption patterns was, in a way, disregardful of political issues and hence portrayed a limited picture of the middle class.

“Even so, surveys based on consumption patterns are vital considering the unavailability of comprehensive data on income and employment patterns.”

Ms. Hasan said though the middle class in India substantially influenced policy-making, a major chunk of votes were generated from the lower classes. While admitting that the book “compelled one to contemplate” certain matters, eminent sociologist Dipankar Gupta commented on the modern-day practice of defining the “middle class” merely on the basis of lifestyle.

“All Indians who lead vaguely Western lifestyles are classified as ‘middle class’. To understand the concept of the middle class, one must observe and study it in all its dynamism and not just be confined to toting statistical jargon,” he said.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Promoting world peace
Water panel fails to secure agreement
Condolence meeting
Free yoga camp planned
Focus on North-East
IGNOU plans honorary doctorates for six
“Shift Games venue to Safdarjung airport”
Hunger strike by Airports staff
College begins hunt for Principal
Jama Masjid re-development plan “anti-people”
Award for NHPC
More community halls proposed
College festival inaugurated
BJP for penalty on discoms
Protest against demolition
Dhumal invites private sector, NRIs to Himachal
Focus on infrastructure in U.P. budget
Sunny day in Shimla
An eye-opener at Barsana
India has lost forest cover to tsunami and dams: report
Call to include “cold wave” in the disaster list
Shah Rukh to host new TV show
“Need for coordinated approach to contain criminals”
Old man held on cheating charge
Class XI student commits suicide
Demonstration by ABVP
Attempt to dilute case alleged
CAT upholds penalty on two Delhi policemen
Delhi Cabinet approves food for poor scheme
Bringing together India and China
Tailor held with fake currency notes
Two arrested for stealing car
In the capital today

Copyright © 2008, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu