Summary of Gurgaon, the new urban India - VPRO documentary - 2009

00:00:00 - 00:45:00

The documentary "Gurgaon, the new urban India" explores the city of Gurgaon, which is rapidly growing due to the country's burgeoning economy. The film focuses on the challenges faced by residents, including the difficulty of getting and keeping a domestic servant, and the lack of infrastructure. Despite these challenges, the city is still a desirable place to live, and its residents are hopeful for the future.

• 00:00:00 Gurgaon is a new city near New Delhi that has become a showcase of India's growing economy. The city is designed to be physically stimulating and to encourage a sense of confidence in the Indian economy. Gurgaon has ample space for children, with plenty of outdoor space and a secure playground. Residents can open their doors when the security alarm goes off, something that would not be possible in older, more established neighborhoods. Gurgaon is also a safe place to raise a family, with no danger of crime and no need to worry about strangers coming to take away children or smash into cars. The city's growth is a testament to the talents of its international residents, many of whom have moved there to take advantage of the country's growing economy.
• 00:05:00 In this documentary, VPRO travels to Gurgaon, a new, rapidly-growing city in India that is attracting young families with children. They are modern, open to the world, and expecting a life of positive experiences. Gurgaon offers a variety of clubs, shopping malls, and commercial centers, all of which the residents use and enjoy. The city is also well-protected with security measures in place, and has an adequate supply of food and water in case of a power outage. The residents are happy with their residences, which are located within walking distance of their children's schools. However, some residents voices concern about the city's lack of integration between its interior and exterior, and the city's increasing privatization.
• 00:10:00 This video focuses on Gurgaon, a new urban area in India that has been heavily influenced by globalization. Gurgaon is largely privatized, with safety, waste collection, and electricity all being handled by private companies. This has been good for the middle classes, who can now afford to live in more luxurious areas. However, Gurgaon is not without its problems. For example, in the event of a power outage, residents can turn to an electric company that uses diesel fuel. The future of Gurgaon seems to be these highly controlled, privatized spaces where people can interact intensively with each other. However, these spaces are temporary, and eventually people will be forced to compete for resources.
• 00:15:00 This video explores the lives of Gurgaon residents, focusing on the challenges they face in getting and keeping a domestic servant. Many of the challenges arise from the fact that the average Gurgaon resident cannot afford to hire a full-time servant, and must therefore rely on family members (usually daughters) to help with a range of household tasks. The daughters of Gurgaon residents often become domestics in their own right, learning the skills and behaviours necessary to be successful in this occupation.
• 00:20:00 The video follows a group of women who are training to become skilled professionals, with the hope of helping their families escape poverty. The women are from rural areas of India who have migrated to the city to find work. They are taught sewing, cooking, and other skills so that they can support themselves and their families. Rita, one of the women in the group, talks about her experience and how she is determined to give her daughters a better life.
• 00:25:00 The video discusses the growth of Gurgaon, a new city in India, and the effects it has had on the residents. Most of the residents are women who have learned how to sew and make money sewing clothes. They typically make about $1 per day, which is a lot of money for them. However, this income isn't sustainable, as the city is experiencing a rapid economic growth that is causing a great deal of crime. The local entrepreneurs have told the volunteers that they may have to leave because there is not enough work. The video ends with a discussion of the difficulties of buying property in Gurgaon and the high prices for land.
• 00:30:00 The desirability of living in Gurgaon, a new, planned, urban development in India, is apparent in the documentary. The city is rich in massage parlors, aromatherapy centers, meditation rooms, fitness studios, indoor and outdoor pools, and high-speed internet access. However, this dream come true has turned into a nightmare for many because the developers have not fulfilled their promises. Some of the 300 residents of the development, who have invested their money in this project, are angry and frustrated. The documentary also looks at the problems faced by those who have bought apartments in the development: they have not been given proper notice of the completion of their apartments, and have had to pay a premium because of it. The documentary concludes with a discussion of the developers' economic model, which is based on a Ponzi scheme.
• 00:35:00 In this VPRO documentary, filmmakers follow the lives of a group of Gurgaon, India, real estate moguls who have become millionaires due to the city's rapid growth. Initially, the developers hoped to reach one billion dollars, but as they became ever wealthier, they began building residences on only the first floor, as the rest of the building was left unfinished. Here is the restaurant, the fitness room, and the view from the fitness room's window of the cityscape. Only the ground floor was actually constructed; the rest of the building is only shells. The documentary then moves on to show the luxurious living quarters of the moguls, including their dining room, restaurant, and fitness room with its expansive glass windows. The moguls plead with the public to buy their residences, but without the money to do so, the only solution they're offered is to sell the land and their possessions. The moguls live like modern day Moguls, driving luxurious Ferraris and owning jets, helicopters, and vacation homes. The documentary concludes with a short clip of an apartment that the filmmakers have taken over, which has been completely demolished in the process. The filmmakers argue that by demolishing their property, they are fulfilling their contractual obligations to their investors
• 00:40:00 Gurgaon, a new urban city in India, is growing rapidly and lacks basic infrastructure, such as adequate bus stops, toilets, and sidewalks. The film follows the efforts of the local residents to self-build and improve the city themselves.
• 00:45:00 Gurgaon, a new urban area in India, is attracting business professionals with its high margins of profit. The area is still relatively disorganized, and there are many opportunities for business development. This is a good time to enter the market. The companies are in financial trouble, and there is more money available. If someone enters now, they will be successful. I dream of becoming a millionaire. The journey to becoming a millionaire is long, but with hard work and determination, anything is possible.