The Story of Anshu

Bhaskar Majumdar on February 21st, 2017

Anshu is a sickly boy of 24 engaged on ad hoc basis in a social science research Institute at Allahabad earning a little more than the stipulated minimum. Anshu comes from a village very close to the city of Allahabad. Anshu is well settled in his household – pursuing his Graduation from a nearby College where non-attendance is compulsory. Anshu maintains a shadow of fear on his face that helps his continuity in the ad hoc job. Anshu has parents, one elder brother newly married to a home-maker lady and one younger brother. All his sisters, three in number, have been married and in the process savings are gone. They do not have much cultivable land. Anshu’s elder brother works on ad hoc basis as a mechanic in a company earning per month around Rs. 10,000. Anshu earns around Rs. 6,000 per month. So, household income at this point comes to be Rs. 16,000 per month that is thought to be adequate for his household unless and until his elder brother gets separated. Anshu hopes to get his Graduation degree soon and plans to get married at least after two/three years unless pressurized by relatives. Anshu hopes that his younger brother will get higher education to set the household on better pedestal.
The limited cost-benefit analysis that I offer here is conditional. If the household continues to stay in the same house that is semi-pucca with four rooms and if the elder brother does not get separated by next one decade and if the younger brother comes to shoulder responsibilities post-education, then Anshu’s dream of a better household will be fulfilled. It is very optimistic to fulfill all these conditions. One major reason is economic inequality is not only a consequence but also a cause of reinforced inequality.

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Bhaskar Majumdar

Bhaskar Majumder is at present Professor of Economics in G.B. Pant Social Science Institute. Previously he served as Professor and Head of the Centre for Development Studies, Central University of Bihar, Patna. He got his Graduation, Master's Degree, M. Phil., Ph.D., all in Economics, from the University of Calcutta. He is engaged in teaching and research for more the past 39 years in Calcutta, Allahabad and Patna in a number of Institute and Universities.
Professor Majumder has written and published so far nine books on social sector. He has authored so far sixty nine research papers in around twenty referred journals. In addition, he has contributed thirty chapters in books on social sciences, apart from several review articles for journals and magazines, plus publications in national and international Conference proceedings. He has so far completed 23 research projects sponsored and supported by World Bank, Ministry of Rural Development (GoI), Planning Commission, ICSSR (GoI), Industries including NTPC and Tata Chemicals. Many students got D.Phil. from the University of Allahabad under his supervision.