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CORONA PANDEMIC AND TROUBLES OF INDIAN MIDDLE CLASS-Dr. Mithilesh Kumar Choubey
Editor, Jamshedpur Research Review, Email-editorjrr@gmail.com,
www.jamshedpurresearchreview.com,Ph.09334077378
1
CORONA PANDEMIC AND TROUBLES OF INDIAN
MIDDLE CLASS
Dr. Mithilesh Kumar Choubey,
Editor, Jamshedpur Research Review, Email-editorjrr@gmail.com,
www.jamshedpurresearchreview.com,Ph.09334077378
____________________________________________
Abstract
The article discusses the mental and economic problems of Indian middle class due to Corona
pandemic and nationwide lockdown. This article has three major sections. In the first, the state of
the middle class customers has been analyzed. And, it has been said that the self-confidence of the
middle class is at low. Apart from this, the impact of materialism and consumerism on the Indian
medium class has also been discussed in the context of the crisis. The last section of article discusses
issue of human progeny by balancing materialism and spirituality.
Key words- Indian Middle class, Corona Pandemic, poverty, mental stress, insecurity, caste pride,
spirituality, materialism & consumerism, urbanization
The world we are living in today is a different world where everyone is scared. Being rich is not the guarantee
of invulnerability against Covid-19. One side Modern lifestyle has greatly reduced the immunity of human
being, and on the other bacteria and viruses have transformed themselves to escape anti-biotic drugs. This is
a very aboriginal world of primitive times when diseases dominated science and medication. Today, the middle
class of India is less physically but more mentally sick. According to a survey conducted by the Indian
psychiatric society, within a week of the start of the lockdown, the number of reported cases of mental illness
in India had risen by 20%.
1
We are standing in a global village where every mind is shivering with an unfamiliar
fear. According to Devora Kestel, director of the World Health Organization’s (WHO), mental health
department, the isolation, the fear, the uncertainty, the economic turmoil - they all cause or could cause
psychological distress,”
Table 1: National survey of 2020 shows high prevalence of distress in the population during Covid-19
2
1
Coronavirus pandemic | Mental illness cases rise in India after COVID-19 outbreak:
Studyhttps://www.moneycontrol.com/news/trends/health-trends/coronavirus-pandemic-mental-illness-
cases-rise-in-india-after-covid-19-outbreak-study-5097231.html
2
https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2020/05/united-nations-global-mental-health-crisis-covid19-pandemic/
CORONA PANDEMIC AND TROUBLES OF INDIAN MIDDLE CLASS-Dr. Mithilesh Kumar Choubey
Editor, Jamshedpur Research Review, Email-editorjrr@gmail.com,
www.jamshedpurresearchreview.com,Ph.09334077378
2
But it just because of Corona pandemic? In the last fifty years governments have spent very little percentage
of their budget on health services. Even today, we treat patients with 100 years old medicines. In countries like
India, outdated anti-biotic drugs used as roasted gram. People consume antibiotics without doctor’s advice.
Over the counter selling of antibiotics is very high in India.
According to a report, developed countries of the world spend only 2% of their total income on the
treatment of mental disorders. In India, a mentally ill person is considered insane and kept socially isolated.
This is the reason why people in India shy away from going to the doctor and psychiatrists.
3
According to an
estimate, every fourth person in India is feeling mentally distressed during the lock-down period. Most of the
mentally disturbed people believe that the world is not moving as they want it should be. And their hopes are
being broken again and again. As a result cases of suicide, family conflict and heart attacks are growing
alarmingly. According to a report, 80 people killed themselves due to loneliness and fear of being tested
positive for the virus. The suicides are followed by migrants dying in accidents on their way back home (deaths
associated with withdrawal symptoms), and those related to starvation and financial distress.
4
The demand for
spiritual gurus in India has suddenly increased. Videos of spiritual gurus like Sadhguru Jaggi and Baba Ramdev,
Sri sri, are viral on social media. Empty pocket middle class is practicing meditation and Yoga to keep his
mind and body healthy.
Spirituality and Yoga can be a support for the mentally weary and scared world community. In
countries like: United States, the number of mental patients has been very high for decades. That is why a lot
of spiritual gurus like Mahesh Yogi, Acharya Rajneesh, etc., had huge disciple in the US in 1980-1990s. More
or less the same situation is developed in India now. The past hurts and the future terrifies. Amid the corona
pandemic middle class of India is worried about the future of themselves and their children. This is the main
reason for his mental distress. It’s a very tough time for children as well. Due to the Corona crisis, the
possibility of India's economic growth rate being zero for the first time in fifty years.
5
Obviously,
unemployment rate will be much higher in coming days. Millions of NRIs have returned from Gulf countries
and migrant laborers have gone back to the villages from the cities. Thus the situation of both production and
sales has become turbulent. There is no area except agriculture where there is no mourning. The market of
luxury products is almost collapsed. According to The Reserve Bank of India India's gross domestic
product (GDP) growth will be in negative territory in 2020-21 as the outbreak of corona virus has
disrupted economic activities. The biggest blow is visible in domestic demand. According to RBI demotic
demand covers 60% of the total demand. Combined impact of demand compression and supply disruption will
depress economic activity.
6
A major reason behind all this is the weakening of domestic demand. If the middle
class continues to weaken, then it will have an impact on all the pro poor schemes of the government as well
Trauma of Indian Middle class
For the first time in the history of independent India, the pain and suffering of the middle class is also
being discussed. The middle class is considered the backbone of India's economic development. A goal was set
to make modern India a 5 trillion economy with the help of this class.
In fact, in India, middle class means a wide market. This market has the power to run the global
economy. Due to Corona catastrophe, this middle class has been imprisoned in their homes. At the moment,
the real concern of the market is that this class is totally inactive - neither earning nor spending. Today,
3
https://www.shethepeople.tv/mental-health/mental-health-budget-2020-needed/
4
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/suicide-leading-cause-for-over-300-lockdown-deaths-in-india-says-
study/articleshow/75519279.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst
5
Amidst Covid-19 cases surging in seven populous States in India, including commercial capital Mumbai and
national capital Delhi, global rating agency Moody's on Friday slashed India's GDP growth rate at Zero for the
current fiscal --. 2020-21. https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/moodys-investors-
service-sees-indias-economic-growth-at-zero-in-fy21/article31532688.ece
6
combined impact of demand compression and supply disruption will depress economic activity,
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/indicators/gdp-growth-in-2020-21-likely-to-in-negative-rbi-
governor/articleshow/75886009.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst
CORONA PANDEMIC AND TROUBLES OF INDIAN MIDDLE CLASS-Dr. Mithilesh Kumar Choubey
Editor, Jamshedpur Research Review, Email-editorjrr@gmail.com,
www.jamshedpurresearchreview.com,Ph.09334077378
3
organized sector workers get very good salary in India. Hence they are a new part of the middle class.
However, the definition of labour class in India is no longer clear. Now they not only work in factories, they
also operate computers. They also sell clothes in shops. A large proportion of these laborers today are middle
class. Consumerist powers around the world provoke and squeeze this class.
Middle class is still buying things they need. But the worry of the market is that middle class is not
buying the things they do not require essentiality. Actually, goods and services targeting psychological needs(
esteem goods) are facing low demand. Due to Covid-19 thread, social distancing has become globally
acceptable norm. New dimensions of future business and work will be online. Online technology is the next
Buzz word. Risk is that a very huge population of India be left behind in the new world order where
knowledge and access to the information technology will be mandatory for survival. 41.6% of Indian
population (540 million people approx.) is living below the new international poverty line of $1.25 (PPP) per
day, down from 59.8% in 1981.
7
On the other hand, the Planning commission of India uses its own criteria and
has estimated that 27.5% of the population was living below the poverty line in 2004–2005, down from 51.3%
in 1977–1978, and 36% in 1993-1994.
8
There are so many estimates about the size of India middle class. Its
size in not very clear. On the basis of various studies and estimates, following projections about the Indian
population has been drawn
Table 2: Classification of Indian Middle Class
Category
Percentage in Indian population
Aggregate
Very High Class
0.1%
1.1%
High class
01%
Upper Middle class
4%
36%
Middle -Middle class
12%
Lower -middle class
20%
-lower class
30
BPL
Below poverty line
27.5%
Estimated (Based on various studies )
Myth about upper caste
The poverty of the upper castes of India has come to the fore due to the Corona crisis. This myth is universally
accepted in India that if someone belongs to the upper caste, then he definitely belongs to the middle class.
The false ego of the so-called upper castes has a big role in making this myth that put mask on truth. 70 years
have passed while carrying this half-truth.
In fact, there is no permanent lower middle class in India now. Depending on the measures used, the
estimated size of this middle class ranges between 78 million (Economist, Jan 2018) to 604 million (Krishnan
and Hatekar, EPW June 2017).8
9
As soon as the job or business ends (due to retirement or any other reason),
the status of a middle class family becomes unstable and the family falls down to join the economically lower
classes. Earlier a large number of upper castes people were in government jobs, so they were an unintended
part of the middle class. However, later their children could not get a government job and their income
reduced. Therefore, they declined to join the lower economic class. But, they did not accept themselves in the
category of poor due to self- pride and societal pressure. In Corona Crisis, such families are going through a
terrible economic crisis.
There are some surprising caste/community patterns. According to a report published in Hindustan
Times, at an overall level, the upper castes are over-represented in the middle classes; OBCs are fairly
represented; Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes are substantially under-represented, and Muslims are
7
The developing world is poorer than we thought, but no less successful in the fight against poverty". World Bank. 2008.
Archived from the original on 23 May 2020
8
Poverty estimates for 2004-05, Planning commission, Government of India, March 2007. Accessed: 25 August 2007
9
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/many-layers-within-india-s-middle-class/story-
18h8YO4jgMpeivUgdKyAkO.html#:~:text=As%20India%20grows%2C%20it%20gets,Hatekar%2C%20EPW%20Ju
ne%202017).
CORONA PANDEMIC AND TROUBLES OF INDIAN MIDDLE CLASS-Dr. Mithilesh Kumar Choubey
Editor, Jamshedpur Research Review, Email-editorjrr@gmail.com,
www.jamshedpurresearchreview.com,Ph.09334077378
4
marginally under-represented. Disaggregating further, OBC share is higher among Rural (2-wheeler), Trader (2-
wheeler) and Rising Middle Class, and substantially lower among Urban Private Sector Middle Class. While
SC/ST shares among Rising Middle Class are closest to their share in overall population, they are virtually non-
existent among Trader and Urban Private Middle Class.
10
There is a self-proclaimed middle class in India that hides its real economic status for fear of social
infamy. This class is so poor that it does not get any food for both the times but it does not plead for
government relief. The financial condition of the middle class family depends on whether both husband and
wife earn or only husband does. Both together could make up to 25 thousand rupees per month. This practice
was common in the family of migrant labours living in metros like; Delhi, Mumbai etc. But in this pandemic, the
employment crisis has hit the both.
Consumerism and urban culture
Esteem needs are very important in consumer culture. The foundation of middle class consumerism rests on
this need. Advertisement aims to awaken the latent esteem needs of the people. Advertising is the tool of
turning esteem needs to essential needs. One argument is that until the need of a consumer is awakened,
economic activities cannot be
triggered. The burning need of human being makes him an entrepreneur. That is why it can be said that
advertising is that great catalyst which creates craving in the mind of man and man gets engaged in economic
activities that eventually lead to economic development. But now slowdown in economy has led to mental
distress and suppression of self esteem for middle class.
Corona crisis and consumerist society
Why do we think this is the first time? Nature has been posing new challenges before humans for
millions of years. And man has kept moving forward, facing them. Actually, nature warns human beings
against the challenges and great dangers of the future. Earthquakes, floods, storms, avalanches, etc. cause
major destruction on a small scale. But just as we can now prepare ourselves to combat them, similarly we can
prepare ourselves for the pendamics like corona.
But in the consumerist economy of which we are part, the dangers of the future are ignored. In this
type of system, the market keeps an eye on the non-essential needs of people for profit. Therefore,
economical schools, hospitals and medical facilities are not developed. The market cannot compromise their
profits by giving their customers low price options.
The way the world has become unstable, every country has to use its internal resources to the fullest.
The time has come to reduce dependence on developed countries. Public utility basic research is not given
much attention in a country like India. This is our biggest weakness. The Corona Pandemic has warned us. The
view of the return of immigrant laborers is extremely touching and tragic. We have to try to get ahead with
‘donations’ and ‘charity’. Security of people is not social service. It is the responsibility of the state. We have to
change both our 'outlook' and 'scale' according to the changing needs. In view of the changing circumstances,
we will have to go for new experiments in the field of disaster management.
Till now we used to consider global warming, pollution, world war etc. as the biggest threat. But, see
where the danger came from. We should be prepared to face such challenges even further. Now our enemies
sneak and attack suddenly. And their target is the entire human race. Therefore, it can be combated together
We cannot depend only on developed countries for this. Why is our country so far behind in preparing Corona
vaccine? How far is it appropriate that we wait for breakthrough in China and America for the treatment of
Corona? We have done a lot of mistakes in the name of development, the results of which are now coming to
the fore. Biochemistry is one such field. Without understanding their side effects, we have done many
dangerous experiments for short term goals.
Small and big changes happen in nature constantly. We cannot monitor every change. Changes at the
micro level are more dangerous than changes at macro level. For example, mutations of viruses or bacteria.
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/many-layers-within-india-s-middle-class/story-
18h8YO4jgMpeivUgdKyAkO.html#:~:text=As%20India%20grows%2C%20it%20gets,Hatekar%2C%20EPW%20Ju
ne%202017).
10
CORONA PANDEMIC AND TROUBLES OF INDIAN MIDDLE CLASS-Dr. Mithilesh Kumar Choubey
Editor, Jamshedpur Research Review, Email-editorjrr@gmail.com,
www.jamshedpurresearchreview.com,Ph.09334077378
5
We cannot monitor the biological changes occurring in the DNA of billions of micro organisms, but we can
definitely prepare ourselves to fight them collectively.
The population of the world has become so much that the terrible exploitation of natural resources to
meet its needs cannot be stopped. But we can control the population.
People who have gone back to their villages from cities like Delhi, Mumbai, for fear of Corona. They will quickly
become helpless in front of stomach hunger. On the day their hunger overcame the fear of Corona they will
return to the city. We have to explain that in present times, the mission of inclusive development and
sustainable development will remain far away. The hunger of the people will cause them to commit all kinds of
crime - even if it is a careless exploitation of nature. Therefore, we have to be prepared for disasters like
Corona. The pseudo struggle of civilizations and cultures around the world to forcibly capture the limited
resources will continue - the common people will die by being influenced by emotional slogans. But, we have
to see who was the actual beneficiaryr. But is this a hopeless situation. Should we assume that human feet are
uprooted? Certainly not!
We have to return to our roots. But where are our roots. Simplicity and humanity are common among
all religions . A life of simplicity is a great option for freedom from consumer debate. There is not only
superstition in religious texts, it also gives a way to live. It is important to understand the impermanence of
life and the inferiority of human life. There should be a need to be frugal in the matter of natural resources. In
order of materiality, it is too much for humanity to deny spiritualism. Increasing mental illness of people during
lockdown is a matter of concern for everyone. In the last few decades, India's joint families were shattered.
The crisis in Corona has given rise to the loneliness and fear among small families. Joint family was disbanded
to sell life insurance and CONSUMER GOODS. Urbanization was encouraged. Today, both of these questions
abound. Depression was an exception in the last century, a common occurrence in this century. Thousands of
such things have now become an integral part of our lives.
The uncertainty of the future has been scaring humans since the beginning. Buddha says - All this life
is sorrow. To overcome them, the path of Karmayoga is shown in the Gita. The Upanishads discuss the
impermanence of the body and the immortality of the soul. Can they guide us? Apart from Hinduism,
purposeful ways of living are also mentioned in Islam and Christianity. There is an emphasis on compassion
and simplicity in all. But will people growing up in consumerist culture be able to adopt these values in life? We
remember God in fear. We have to remember God in joy. God is the path to bliss. You feel that only you are
surrounded by sorrows, but the truth is that this world is full of people like you. This is a normal thing.
Depression is a common occurrence in this period. Its victim can be a doctor, treating patients, a spiritual
teacher giving lectures on stage, and a minister running the government. Depression is a side effect of
unquenchable desires. Who is there in this world, who can say that all his dreams have been fulfilled? It is
important for people to stop running for a few moments and look towards inside. The world is moving
continuously in the fixed paths of its axis. But we are trying to change it. Is it possible? If this is not possible
then why don't we change ourselves?
References:
1. Coronavirus pandemic | Mental illness cases rise in India after COVID-19 outbreak:
Studyhttps://www.moneycontrol.com/news/trends/health-trends/coronavirus-pandemic-mental-
illness-cases-rise-in-india-after-covid-19-outbreak-study-5097231.html
2. https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2020/05/united-nations-global-mental-health-crisis-covid19-
pandemic/
3. https://www.shethepeople.tv/mental-health/mental-health-budget-2020-needed/
4. https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/suicide-leading-cause-for-over-
300-lockdown-deaths-in-india-says-
study/articleshow/75519279.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campai
gn=cppst
5. Amidst Covid-19 cases surging in seven populous States in India, including commercial capital
Mumbai and national capital Delhi, global rating agency Moody's on Friday slashed India's GDP
growth rate at Zero for the current fiscal --. 2020-21.
https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/moodys-investors-service-sees-indias-economic-
growth-at-zero-in-fy21/article31532688.ece
CORONA PANDEMIC AND TROUBLES OF INDIAN MIDDLE CLASS-Dr. Mithilesh Kumar Choubey
Editor, Jamshedpur Research Review, Email-editorjrr@gmail.com,
www.jamshedpurresearchreview.com,Ph.09334077378
6
6. combined impact of demand compression and supply disruption will depress economic activity,
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/indicators/gdp-growth-in-2020-21-likely-to-
in-negative-rbi-
governor/articleshow/75886009.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_cam
paign=cppst
7. The developing world is poorer than we thought, but no less successful in the fight against poverty".
World Bank. 2008. Archived from the original on 23 May 2020
8. Poverty estimates for 2004-05, Planning commission, Government of India, March 2007. Accessed:
25 August 2007
9. https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/many-layers-within-india-s-middle-class/story-
18h8YO4jgMpeivUgdKyAkO.html#:~:text=As%20India%20grows%2C%20it%20gets,Hatekar%2C%20E
PW%20June%202017).
10. https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/many-layers-within-india-s-middle-class/story-
18h8YO4jgMpeivUgdKyAkO.html#:~:text=As%20India%20grows%2C%20it%20gets,Hatekar%2C%20E
PW%20June%202017).
Dr. Mithilesh Kumar Choubey, Ph 09334077378, Email-editorjrr@gmail.com
