What are the main socioeconomic implications arising out of the development of IT industries in major cities?

The pace of Industrialisation and Urbanisation in metro cities amidst the forces of Globalization does not reflect only change in GDP numbers, but has an implication on Social and economic set up of both rural and urban areas and on almost all the sections of society. The growth of IT hubs in Bangalore, Gurgaon, Pune, Chennai and Delhi gives us a clear reflection of socioeconomic change after 1990’s.

Main Implications on Social economic set up because of IT industries:

1. Change in Family Structure: The nuclear family has become predominant with the increasing urbanization and industrialization.

2. Change in Institution of Marriage: From Endogamous to Inter Caste Marriages.

3. Change in the meaning of Relationship: It is now largely driven by self-interest, and losing the charm of organic solidarity.

4. Change in structure of Caste system: Rise in professionalism, improvement in education has provided employment opportunities and thus is improving conditions of Vulnerable caste. And in Cities, Caste is being replaced by class.

5. Change in Food Habits: From Traditional Food habits like Rice, pulses to Burger and Pizza.

6. Change in Sleep cycle: Now the young professionals in IT Industries are working as per the US or UK timetable and this has implications on their sleep cycle and ultimately impacting their personal space.

7. Because of IT Industries, the income of street vendors, hawkers, and shops around these industries is witnessing a positive trend, barring exceptions like COVID period.

8. Domestic remittance is rising and this has changed the quality of life in rural India too, evident in Pucca houses, shifting to Agro-based industries etc.

9. The rising disposable income of an individual shifts his/her expenditure on good education and access to quality health care.

At the same time, some disturbing trends are visible in socio-economic set up because of heavy industrialisation and unplanned Urbanization:

1. Rise of Slums where 1 in 7 people in Urban India lives in slums (2011 census)

2. Sudden electricity cuts at the time of Floods. E.g.: Chennai Floods

3. Change in Position of Elderly: The Ruralisation of Elderly (71% elderly lives in rural areas) has an impact on their emotional, health and financial position where mostly all the young members have migrated to work in IT and other industries in Metro cities.

4. Rising Pollution in NCR region and Transport congestion in Bangalore.

The IT Industries provides an ample scope for changing traditional socioeconomic set up for good like change in rigid caste structure, but any change must be complemented with planned urbanization and providing urban amenities to the rural areas.