In the spring of 2009, an obscure little film impressed the connoisseurs of world cinema, received the loudest applause and then, won every prestigious award on the planet. Titled ‘Slumdog Millionaire’, it was described as a fervent, heartfelt ode to ‘India’s maximum city’ – Mumbai. Its rather horrendous portrayal of the city’s dark underbelly played to the gallery and was lapped up by the Western audience instantly.
Cynics argue ad nauseum that the reverential response the film elicited was largely due to the fact that large swathes of population in the West have, for ages, been fed on an overdose of images that depict poverty at its formulae best (or worst). The land of elephants, sages, and princely kingdoms – that they often view with a sense of awe mixed with trepidation - seems to have created a persistent place in their imagination.
But in 21st century India, these amorphous generalizations do not work, thankfully. With its soaring economic efficiency, booming business enterprises and mind-boggling billion-dollar investment deals, here’s a country that steadfastly refuses to be shackled by stereotypes. Today India, along with China, has developed into an economic Wal-Mart that is definitely a force to reckon with.
Facts And Figures That Infuse Cheer
For those that dismiss India’s phenomenal rise as a figment of an ivory-towered, abstruse thinking economist’s imagination, here are a few singularly impressive facts that command appreciation and inspire admiration.
The World Bank believes that India will emerge as the fastest growing economy by the year 2010, eclipsing the Chinese domination completely. The fact that India is also home to several billionaires, with several of them making it to the coveted Forbes List, reminds us of the country’s well-heeled and well-placed existence.
An astronomical increase in the number of cars, telephone connections and a surge in the profits of the FMCG sector, highlight the breathless pace of growth and development in the country in the past decade.
Who’s The Richest of Them All?
If India has emerged as a global player, its burgeoning middle-class too has managed to leapfrog all the way to the frontline. The per capita incomes of people in cities like New Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata seem to be moving in one and only one direction – north. And so, the Davos-kind explosion of high-income small cities and towns is not entirely unfathomable.
Here’s a high-octane list of the ten wealthiest cities in India:
Chandigarh: Another feather in the cap of the city that is renowned for its architectural supremacy. India’s wealthiest city boasts of a per capita annual income of an impressive Rs 26, 710. Needless to add, the enterprising locals are the chief architects of this stupendous achievement.
Panaji: Even though the capital city of India’s tourist hot-spot, Goa, has been in the news for all the wrong reasons, its second place finish in the list with a per capita annual income of Rs 26,075, is sure to assuage many fears.
Delhi: Lutyen’s Delhi, India’s capital, and a pot pourri of cultures, religions and languages, is at number three with a per capita annual income of Rs 24,141.
Valparai: This nondescript little-town is nestled cosily amid rolling hills, verdant meadows and picturesque valleys in Tamilnadu’s Coimbatore district. It may not have the seething energy of a blue-chip metro, but that does not stop it from raking in the moolah at the fourth spot.
Greater Mumbai: It’s time to roll out the red carpet for this starry-eyed city at number 5. The deluge of film stars put the city’s per capita annual income of Rs 23,109 firmly in the spotlight.
Pune: There’s more to this corporate stopover and hub for innovation in the automotive segment than its prestigious educational institutions and timeless traditions. This IT hub enters the list at the 6th spot with a per capita annual income of Rs 22,817.
Ludhiana: ‘The Manchester of Punjab’ has plenty to make a song and dance about – hosiery, manufacturing, real estate and politics, just to name a few. With an annual per capita income of Rs 22,178, it will definitely not disappear off your radar.
Chennai: India’s fourth largest metro city, and Tamilnadu’s capital, is definitely hard wired for success. It houses some of the most redoubtable names in infrastructure, automobiles, technology and health care, and hence, not surprisingly, has an annual per capita income of Rs 21,885.
Shimla: ‘The Queen of the Hills’ replete with majestic snow-capped mountains, lush green forests and inimitable weather exudes a kind of regal disdain. The city can afford to - Shimla has an annual per capita income of Rs 21,348.
Jalandhar: Until now, one of Punjab’s most prominent cities was known for its dominance in the automobile, sports goods, rubber and leather goods industry. But, with an annual per capita income of Rs 21,254, it has not lost that itch to win extra brownie points.
With meticulous planning and sustained growth and development, India’s top ten wealthiest cities have orchestrated a dramatic reversal of fortunes. Isn’t it time we said ‘Jai Ho’ to that?
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—About our writer:
From the hallowed precincts of the Indian Army to the intriguing and insightful world of creative writing – Yamini Chowdhury has had a journey that has taken her into realms far beyond the quotidian. She is a Bangalore University rank holder, Gold Medallist from Bishop Cotton Women’s Christian College, Bangalore, former Captain of the Indian Army, and a freelance writer making forays, rather bravely, into the infinite, cosmic ocean of writing – in that particular order.
Her interests are varied – she enjoys swimming and a gruelling game of badminton as much as listening to music or catching up with the latest Bollywood flick. The demands of work and home do not leave her with much time for reading; but it is her passion for writing - everything from children’s books to heritage stories - that leaves her mentally stimulated and creatively stretched.
She lives in India with her husband, Rajat, and daughter, Shreya.
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