Answer:

In post-independence period, the state gave modern cities the primary responsibility to develop Indian society on lines of democratic values enshrined in the Constitution.

The development of cities in India however shows that cities in India have failed to fulfill the promises invested in them. Instead of reforming the social ill present in the countryside, they have reproduced the social disparities existing there in following manner:

♤ India: Urban Poverty Report 2009 (UNDP) identifies that poverty in India has become urbanized and it is more widespread in large cities. Overall It is over 25 percent; some 81 million people live in urban areas on incomes that are below the poverty line.

♤ Large cities like Mumbai (41.3%), Vishakhapatnam (44%), Kolkata (30%), Chennai (29%) and Delhi (15%) have the high proportion of slum-dwelling households. Lack of proper housing and basic services like health and education in cities has reproduced the precarious living conditions due to segregation as present in villages for poor.

♤ In the process of economic development, cities were believed to provide dignified employment opportunities to majority of working poor who become surplus in rural economy. However, Indian cities have become home to large informal sector as in villages providing subsistence jobs to poor.

♤ Women security has been the major issue in villages known for regressive attitude towards them. However modern cities which are supposed to provide safe living for them have itself become most unsecured place for them. e.g. recent incidence of rape in Delhi.

♤ Political mobilization based on ascriptive identities are widely prevalent in cities as it has been in countryside.

In this scenario there is an urgent need to rethink what role the cities will play in our social progress. Cities should be made more inclusive space according to civic and democratic values promoted by our constitution.