Who includes whom?

Travelling through 5 locations in about 10 days, one tends to  observe a lot. One thing that stood out was the “Inclusive development” systems being fast forwarded! I am sure what I will be writing here, might be dissected by developmental experts, since my writing is not based on expertise or data, but casual observations. But still here it is!

Technical definition – “Inclusive development is an equitable development approach built on the understanding that every individual and community, of all diverse identities and experiences, is instrumental in the transformation of their own societies. Their engagement throughout the entire development process leads to better outcomes”.

But technical definitions apart, it was interesting to observe that what I saw was something that confused my brain.

 

Stop one – a B2 city, with a bustling population and an AQI (Air Quality Index) of 300 plus, as part of a team who was traveling to a hill station for a weekend retreat. In the stop one location, the most advertised information was KFC being opened at multiple locations! It was interesting to note that, in this predominantly vegetarian community, but well known for its chicken 65, and chicken biryani’s, the highlight on the roads was a multinational brand. An inclusion that will change our tastes (I love KFC, do not take me wrong) and the local businesses.

Stop two – the hill station with AQI less than 50, to which was bustling with crowds from stop 1 and stop 3, coming in for breathing fresh air. A fast-advancing inclusive development of internal tourism. But most places of stay were owned by the big names of tourist industry. Taking over the land and property of the locals to bring in tourists from far and wide, and in that inclusion, the locals probably get what trickles out from people like me who were there to enjoy the low AQI.

Stop 3 – Metro city, with all its bustling brands, and skyscrapers. Walking through one of the latest multinational brands in India, the only shop for that matter in India – IKEA, was interesting. Every other product, was produced in China, imported in by a company in Delhi. Engaging with staff on the floor was revealing too. Most salespeople were young men and women from small towns speaking in reasonably good Hinglish. But the senior team appeared much different, with accented English, the urban born and educated elite. A welcome inclusion for at least some young people from small towns.

Stop 4 – An A1 city, filled with huge cut outs of politicians. Most banners having pictures of 20 – 30 politicians, 99% men, a stray woman here and there. Large life size cut outs on one or two supreme men leaders, but no woman anywhere. I suppose the 33% is still awaited!

Stop 5 – a small rural village up in the hills. Where ginger is brought off by from the merchants from stop 4 at 2-3 Rs a kilo, the farmers struggling to make both ends meet, but evidence of inclusive devolvement everywhere en-route!

Huge highways cutting through pristine forest and tunnelling mountains – the economic highway, observed by the locals as “M or RRTH” – Mineral or Rural Resource Transport Highway. Trucks plying out with sand, wood, and many other rural resources. The hills en-route full of tents and camping site where people from Metros come over the weekend to breathe fresh air. But most camp sites owned by the big brands from the neighbouring cities. 

But in all these locations, a ubiquitous presence of  religious  flags and cut outs of one or two political leaders, a constant reminder that you are included.

In the time spend at stop 5, I overheard two conversations. One a local leader telling a development professional. “We do not need you to come to us with roads, we need you to educate our children, rest we will take care of”. Two - conversation a well-wisher of the rural poor had with one of the urban elites. “You do anything you want for them, but do not educate them. We need them to do our developmental work”. 

 

I wonder who includes whom? I am back to AQI 500s at my residence as member of the urban elites, enjoying the memories of the inclusive development experience I had last 10 days! 

 

I wonder what the real owners of the pristine forest think about such things! And I wonder how can I follow the example of the God who decided into include me in His plans by giving up power....