Literature review of Globalization in India - Essay Example

Globalization In India Order no -168531 No. of pages – 2 -6530 The twentieth Century is witnessing one of the most burning issues of its time – “Globalization”. Though it is the most hotly debated and talked about issue, still its clarity seems to be shrouded in mystery. While the World Social Forum activists interpret globalization as “the latest avatar” of global domination unleashed by the West, especially by the United States., (Globalization & the Indian State, 2005) there are still others who are under the impression that globalization is the only way to freedom and prosperity.

India, which is post-colonial in nature and carries a heavy baggage of poverty, poor literacy and deprivation, is still considered to be a developing nation. Therefore, in the present situation, it tends to keep its doors wide open to opportunities which would help her progress. The Indian administration is taking steps by conducting a lot of surveys in its different states to facilitate and elicit people’s responses to globalization, so that they would take appropriate steps to curb illiteracy, poverty, unemployment, social status and under development.

Many causes contribute to globalization in India. Though Kerala can boast of a literacy rate of 92%, it is not the same for the other regions. The urban areas in India have a 80.30% literacy level, the rural areas have only 59.40%. Another fact that poses a problem is that though there are buffer stocks, yet a quarter of the world’s poor that are in India go hungry. (Editorial, Fall 2006, vol.2, no. 2) Another factor that contributes to globalization is the fact that there is great disparity between social policies and the needs of the people.

While the government of India frames these policies, it takes ages before it materializes to help the poor and down- trodden people. Other factors that contribute to globalization in India would be because it has a politically driven agenda and faces misappropriation and mismanagement of funds set aside for the upliftment of the low strata of people. Corruption and inefficiency run rampant in the wake of implementation of schemes.“If there was a Gandhi in the consciousness of the Indian polity today, we would not be where we are”.

( Aruna Roy, social activist and Magasaysay Award winner 2000) Freedom can be fulfilling as well as problematic when doesn’t know where to stop. Amartya Sen, a social activist who is committed to rectifying gender inequality feels that human capabilities and freedom should be enhanced. (Amartya Sen, A Gender Perspective.)Every successive administration form great policies ahead of the elections, but somewhere along the line they fall under the pressure of globalization and all their promises go into “cold storage”.

The flip side of globalization has seen the growth of MNC’s, the IT sector and other industries and importers and has helped this sector of people to wield financial clout. Another industry that has shown tremendous growth is the advertising sector which has taken off in flying colors. Therefore globalization has come as a boon to some but as a bane to many. If India’s economic policies are re-structured, it would give better impetus to the vast majority of the Indian population.References:Globalization & the Indian State, Research Project.www.globalizationinIndia .comwww.indiaresource.

org/issues/globalization/index.htmlNational Foundation for IndiaCore 4A, India Habitat CentreDelhi.Editorial, Fall 2006, Vol. 2, No. 2.www.india_resource.tripod.com/globalization.html