India, Jan. 30 -- Last week, a cousin visited us. She is a professional settled in New Jersey (US), and is a happy American, along with her husband and children. Together, the couple earns more than $200,000 a year, or nearly INR 2,00,00,000, which is fantastic by Indian standards. Of course, their lifestyle is better than most Indians. Yet, my cousin was amazed that her sister, and brother-in-law together earn close to INR 4,00,000 a month, or nearly INR 50,00,000 a year, while being professors in a college in a small town in Odisha.

More importantly, the sister hired a full-time driver, a full-time maid, a part-time cook, and a weekly gardener. The cousin was unable to do any of these things in the US. Hence, she popped the question to...