Rahul Haldar

In a nation renowned for its diversity and rich cultural heritage, a stark economic reality looms large – a growing chasm between the haves and have-nots. The Oxfam report "Survival of the Richest: The India Story" paints a disconcerting picture of India's wealth inequality, revealing a nation where a tiny minority holds an overwhelming majority of the country's riches. Past: Roots of Disparity The seeds of India's wealth inequality were sown long ago, during the colonial era. The British Raj's exploitative policies and the subsequent economic model adopted after independence laid the groundwork for a system that favored the few over the many. Decades of skewed land ownership, limited access to quality education and healthcare, and regressive tax policies have all contributed to the concentration of wealth in the hands of a privileged few. Present: A Nation Divided The Oxfam report reveals that the richest 1% of Indians now own more than 40% of the country...