Older generation
– Idealized Gandhi-style poverty, Socialist theory;
Grew up amidst famines;
– Had only one state-run TV channel;
– Mostly technophobic;
– Tended to be avid savers;
– Grew up with stable government led by one party; upper-caste domination;
Favored medicine, engineering, or civil service as careers;
-l Average literacy levels of 30 percent;
– Tastes tended toward tradition: drinking tea, eating at home.
New generation
– Wants to get rich, admires Capitalism;
– Grew up amidst food surpluses
– Can watch 50 TV channels, via cable and satellite telecast;
– Mostly technology-savvy;
– Tend to be guiltless consumers;
– Grew up with constantly shaky coalitions; more voice for lower castes;
– Favor computer-driven and other high-paying career choices;
– Average literacy levels of 52 percent;
– Tastes tend toward modern: Western food and sodas, eating out.