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India's economy is facing a difficult challenge at the moment.
The gross domestic product growth rate is going downhill, industrial production too isn't posting impressive figures and Reserve Bank of India has been consistently hiking rates to add to common people's woes.
Amid this grim scenario, we look into the lives of some low- and middle-income group citizens of India to know how each one of them strives to make both ends meet.
Here's the first such article. . .
Subimal Ghosh
Kirana shop owner
Our country at present is ruled by hoodlums. Some politicians at the top look like stage performers keen on putting together a wild imagination whipped up with loads of experiments.
51% FDI in retail
The proposal to introduce 51 per cent foreign direct investment in retail -- which has since been postponed -- is a case in point.
How can a government that came into power riding on the popularity wave think of such a scheme? Didn't it ever occur to the government even once that such a plan would jeopardise crores of kirana store owners and employees across India?
Such an unsympathetic attitude is quite expected of a government that draws inspiration by exploiting the poor and the underprivileged.
How did the government expect the small outlets like mine to compete with the multinationals?
Thank God, the plan is now put on the backburner. Small shop owners like me must be breathing a sigh of relief for the moment.
My day at the 100-square foot shop
My day starts early -- around 8 in the morning and ends late -- around 10 in the evening.
During these long hours, I clean the shop, cater to hundreds of customers, deal with suppliers, take stocks and tally accounts.
Can you guess what return I get in lieu of this hard work? A meagre Rs 10,000 a month.
My unfulfilled dream
When I was 10, I cherished a dream -- that of becoming a doctor. My friends told me if I do well in my studies, I may get some government assistance.
I studied a lot, put in hard labour and scored well in the Class X examination. But then my father fell ill and lost his job.
Immediately, things around me looked rather bleak. As the eldest son, I had to take care of my family of four.
I borrowed some money from a friend and set up this shop. My hope of becoming a doctor lay buried for good.
My brother is my only hope
However, I do aspire to see my brother do better in life. He is at present studying for a bachelor degree in computer applications.
My father and I had to put in a lot of money for his studies. Thankfully, baba is still working and both of us are pinching pennies for my brother's future. Hope he meets his goal.
I can't afford to get married and start a family
As for me, I don't have much hope for the days ahead. My parents do talk of me getting married, start a family and get 'settled' but I don't think I can afford to do that.
Ours is a nation ruled by 'rich' politicians who 'want' the poor to get buried under their unfulfilled aspirations.
Image: Subimal Ghosh | Photograph: Dipak Chakraborty