The Indian middle class is the most pampered section of Indian society. Numbering 250 million and growing, it is like raging fire, consuming all in its path.
I remember a program, featured recently on popular news channel, XYZ TV. The subject was the hardships faced by typical middle class families in India. I wonder whether you saw it. It was between the Breaking News “Dog killed while crossing road at Bulandshahar” and Breaking News “Thief steals waste paper basket in NOIDA”. The timing was just before the Finance Ministers budget speech of 2008.Well, in case you missed it, here it is.
“Middle class” families were being asked for the one request they would like to make to the finance minister, a request that would make their lives easier.
The camera pans into one such middle class Indian household. It shows a beautiful, independent two-storey house with a well-manicured lawn. A gardener appears busy, weeding the flowerbeds. Two gleaming cars, an SUV and a Sedan, greet you in the drive way.
Inside there is a cozy domestic scene, two school going children tapping furiously on their IBM ThinkPad’s, ignoring the Nintendo DS Lite lying on the side table. The grandmother is knitting quietly on the IKEA sofa, while watching the latest soaps on the family’s Sony 40” Flat Panel LCD TV. The Microsoft Xbox 360 can be seen on the lower half of the TV cabinet, just next to the Bose 6.1 Home Theatre System.
The mother emerges from her large modular kitchen, having instructed her two maidservants, and settles down in the sitting room. The family pug jumps up from the plush carpet and snuggles comfortably on her lap.
Meanwhile, the father is seen to be struggling, filling his income tax return forms with his Mont Blanc pen (It was earlier called the “SARAL” form, what a misnomer!).
Papers are strewn all over his large computer table, as he struggles to find all his supporting documents. First, he looks behind the HP Color printer, nope not there, and then behind the HP scanner, no not there either, then struggles to check behind his Samsung 19” flat screen monitor, yes, got it! Finally, he is ready and faces the camera.
His request to the finance minister, and I quote…
Dear Chidambram Sahib, We are middle class people. We are spending INR 5000/-(€ 90) per month on each child’s education. (This comes to a modest INR 120000/- € 2200 per year for two children). My request to you is to allow this entire amount as a deduction from salary, while computing tax. I hope you will entertain our request.
Mr. Chidambaram did not heed his request. If only he had removed his Gucci sunglasses and been more discreet with his Rolex before facing the camera…
