The Class Divide

A walk through the streets of a town like Calcutta is enough to convince you of the appalling poverty suffered by India's working class. You can witness homeless families living a hand-to -mouth existence in the streets.  There is another side to India though - the immense wealth enjoyed by the capitalist class. 'India's super-rich have long raised eyebrows around the world with their spectacular spending. Mukesh Ambani, the country's wealthiest man, has built the world's most valuable home in Mumbai, the commercial capital. The 27-storey tower, complete with helicopter pads, indoor cinemas and a staff of more than 600, is worth an estimated $1bn (£500m).' (Guardian, 24 July) Nor is Ambani a unique specimen of India's wealthy.There are now nearly a sixth more Indians worth in excess of $3.75m (£2.2m) than just one year ago, according to a report from the Kotak Mahindra bank. RD