Development - in what direction?

A couple of weeks ago, I was watching this show called 'The Other Side of Outsourcing' on Discovery Channel. I don't think I will go into details on what happened on the show. Rather I will talk about my opinions - many of which were presented in the show as well. This is not a well-researched, 'objective' report on outsourcing and poverty and stuff. It is more a personal opinion on these issues.

My feelings towards outsourcing is mixed. I have come across a few blogs that speak about outsourcing from the point of view of people whose countries are outsourcing. That also came out in the show I was talking about, although only a bit. I will be talking about it not in terms of depriving people of their jobs in their own countries but from the perspective of a person who lives in a country to which such jobs are outsourced.

I think outsourcing is good. It has created a lot of job opportunities for people here. Many people are earning what was not possible in the past. The 'quality' of life has improved for a lot of people. However, the whole aspect of having to live in the time zone and simulated culture of another country is something I am skeptical about. I think that is very unhealthy and we are going to end up with a whole new problem on our hands. I think we already have ended up with many issues.

Anyways, this development is great. However, this development has not trickled down to majority of the population. 40% of Indians are still living below the poverty line - that means on less than 2 US$ a day. There has been no change in their situation. In fact, I believe their situation is taking a turn for the worse. It is these people that are shuffled around and displaced* and dislocated for allowing 'development' to take place. Like pointed out in the show, these people are contributing to the outsourcing boom - by working as daily wage-earning construction workers.

That being said, I simply want to raise some questions. This post is not about simply presenting opinions. Neither it is about providing answers. I simply wish to raise questions and to think about the issue.

We talk about development. What is development? Is it like being the West? Is it by measuring our 'quality' of life against the 'quality' of life in the West? Who has canonized what is development? This has been something that I have been thinking about it. It's when I was watching the show, this whole concept of 'canonized' crystallized in my head. Is there an alternate definition for development? Shouldn't development be inclusive and touch all people involved?

You can watch the program on You Tube. It's a 45 minutes stuff.

* I spoke a little bit about the people being displaced in this post.

Disclaimer: As said earlier, this is not a well-researched piece. Neither am I an expert in development. I am simply sounding off my thoughts regarding these issues. Most of it is based on what I have seen, heard and experienced both in my personal life and in my profession as a development worker.