u/ExternalGrocery5950

The North vs South debate in India often focuses on development, taxes, governance, and contribution to the country. But one major factor is frequently ignored: geography.

Southern states benefited historically from access to ports and maritime trade. Across the world, port cities naturally become centers of commerce, industry, and wealth generation over time.

Much of North India, on the other hand, is landlocked, and not just landlocked, but positioned along some of India’s most volatile borders.

From Kashmir to Gujarat, western states have lived under the constant shadow of conflict with Pakistan. On the northern and eastern fronts, states bordering China have faced repeated military tensions. Beyond that, India has also had to manage instability, illegal migration, insurgency, smuggling, and security concerns through neighboring regions like Myanmar and, at times, Nepal and Bangladesh.

These realities shape societies over generations.

You’ll find people from across India serving in the armed forces, but many border states have contributed disproportionately to ground forces and combat regiments. Entire regiments are associated with specific regions and villages because of their long military traditions and sacrifices.

Since 1947, from wars to terror attacks to recent incidents like Pahalgam, many northern and border regions have repeatedly lived with insecurity, disruption, and uncertainty. That does not excuse poor governance, corruption, caste politics, communalism, or weak civic systems. Those issues absolutely deserve criticism.

But when comparing regions, context matters.

Economic and social outcomes are not shaped by culture or “mindset” alone. Geography, security pressures, historical instability, and political leadership all play major roles in determining how regions develop.

The point is not that one side is better or worse. It’s that people are rarely inherently backward or irresponsible. Circumstances shape societies, and leadership determines whether those circumstances improve or deteriorate.

Criticize governance where necessary. But avoid reducing millions of people to stereotypes.

RBI is barely managing inr depreciation. Even retail investors want to move away from inr and desperate to invest in us stocks. MON100 is at 20% premium. It's crazy people willing to pay 20% premium over market price for an etf. If rbi removes restrictions, inr is touching 100 within a week. Retail investors already starting direct investments in US market, brokers starting to support us equity investment but charges are still too high for most.

Private banks are just latest among doing silent layoffs in branch offices. Unemployment is increasing despite lowering interest rate. Gov has limit their hiring because their budget is under constraint already. Massive disinvestments are coming! They need a way to fund planned infra projects. More things move towards PPP model, rising cost of living.

Unemployment numbers are so unreliable as they just don't account for labour force participation rate dropping itself. People have stopped looking for jobs altogether.

India has fundamental problems that rbi can't fix. If it was easier to do business, control on bureaucracy and corruption, this money would be going in new businesses, creating employment. But top 10% people have more money due to lower interest rate but no good place to invest, rest are struggling for employment.

Only lending business will grow, because people have nowhere else to invest other than lend money. Indians are high on EMI. Can't wait for tipping point when people will start defaulting and banks will have higher npa. The risk nbfc are carrying with retail borrowers is so risky. Monitor your banks and financial stocks carefully.

RBI can only manage can't fix fundamental problems. BJP in risk for next year elections with inr closing on 100, unemployment, inflation due to war, trade deficit due to war.

They will likely resort to religion and dbt, making situation worse. Honestly they are not the sole problem, beaurocracy and legal systems are to blame equally. All pillars are broken of this country.

This doesn't mean country is all lost, but I expect normal 10-12% returns at max with constant turbulence. Post this you will have to discount for inflation and currency depreciation. I will not believe in India's growth story untill fundamental issues are fixed.