The quaint medieval city of Wells in Somerset has claimed the coveted title of the UK's top destination, according to a survey conducted by Which?. Nestled in the heart of Somerset, Wells, despite its small size, has found fame as a recurring backdrop in various TV shows and Hollywood films, including notable productions like Hot Fuzz, Dungeons &amp; Dragons, and Wolf Hall.

<h2>The five-star charmer</h2>

Wells received a resounding five-star rating for its overall attractiveness and the plenty of tourist attractions it offers. Its crowning jewel, the stunning Wells Cathedral, contributes significantly to this allure. Additionally, the city secured four stars for its picturesque scenery, shopping venues, and culinary delights, demonstrating its well-rounded appeal to visitors.

<h2>Avebury's ancient allure</h2>

Following closely behind Wells in the rankings is Avebury in Wiltshire. Avebury's claim to fame lies in its awe-inspiring Neolithic stone circle, a relic dating back 5,000 years. The town's thatched cottages and a charming 19th-century pub add to its unique character and helped secure its place among the top destinations.

Also watch |&nbsp;Equal pay crisis hits UK's Birmingham

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/equal-pay-crisis-hits-uks-birmingham-632837/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<h2>Corfe castle and port sunlight: Sharing third place</h2>

Corfe Castle, a Dorset gem, built by William the Conqueror in the 11th century and beloved by children's author Enid Blyton, shares the third position with Merseyside's Port Sunlight. Corfe Castle dazzles visitors with its castle ruins and breathtaking vistas over the Purbeck Hills to Poole Harbour. Port Sunlight, originally constructed in 1888 to provide homes for soap factory workers, boasts a four-star rating for its attractiveness, tourist attractions, and value for money. Remarkably, it earns a perfect five stars for peace and tranquility.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/uk-and-india-nearing-a-free-trade-agreement-622994">UK and India nearing a free trade agreement: Reports</a>

<h2>Discovering the UK's hidden treasures</h2>

The editor of Which? Travel, Rory Boland, expressed his enthusiasm for the diverse range of unique destinations the UK has to offer, from well-known tourist towns to lesser-known villages, reported the Guardian.&nbsp;&nbsp;While the picturesque southwest of the country dominated the top spots, Scotland, Wales, and various regions across England featured in the top 10. This variety ensures that regardless of where you reside, there's an enticing destination right on your doorstep.

<h2>The elite Top 10 destinations</h2>

<ol>
	<li>Wells, Somerset</li>
	<li>Avebury, Wiltshire</li>
	<li>Port Sunlight, Merseyside</li>
	<li>Corfe Castle, Dorset</li>
	<li>Grasmere, Cumbria</li>
	<li>Lavenham, Suffolk</li>
	<li>Llangollen, Derbyshire</li>
	<li>Ludlow, Shropshire</li>
	<li>Stamford, Lincolnshire</li>
	<li>Cartmel, Cumbria</li>
	<li>Church Stretton, Shropshire</li>
</ol>

These destinations offer a captivating glimpse into the rich tapestry of the UK's cultural and natural heritage, making them must-visit places for travellers seeking unforgettable experiences.

WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

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The quaint medieval city of Wells in Somerset has claimed the coveted title of the UK's top destination, according to a survey conducted by Which?. Nestled in the heart of Somerset, Wells, despite its small size, has found fame as a recurring backdrop in various TV shows and Hollywood films, including notable productions like Hot Fuzz, Dungeons & Dragons, and Wolf Hall.

The quaint medieval city of Wells in Somerset has claimed the coveted title of the UK's top destination, according to a survey conducted by Which?. Nestled in the heart of Somerset, Wells, despite its small size, has found fame as a recurring backdrop in various TV shows and Hollywood films, including notable productions like Hot Fuzz, Dungeons & Dragons, and Wolf Hall. The five-star charmer Wells received a resounding five-star rating for its overall attractiveness and the plenty of tourist attractions it offers. Its crowning jewel, the stunning Wells Cathedral, contributes significantly to this allure. Additionally, the city secured four stars for its picturesque scenery, shopping venues, and culinary delights, demonstrating its well-rounded appeal to visitors. Avebury's ancient allure Following closely behind Wells in the rankings is Avebury in Wiltshire. Avebury's claim to fame lies in its awe-inspiring Neolithic stone circle, a relic dating back 5,000 years. The town's thatched cottages and a charming 19th-century pub add to its unique character and helped secure its place among the top destinations. Also watch | Equal pay crisis hits UK's Birmingham Corfe castle and port sunlight: Sharing third place Corfe Castle, a Dorset gem, built by William the Conqueror in the 11th century and beloved by children's author Enid Blyton, shares the third position with Merseyside's Port Sunlight. Corfe Castle dazzles visitors with its castle ruins and breathtaking vistas over the Purbeck Hills to Poole Harbour. Port Sunlight, originally constructed in 1888 to provide homes for soap factory workers, boasts a four-star rating for its attractiveness, tourist attractions, and value for money. Remarkably, it earns a perfect five stars for peace and tranquility. Also read | UK and India nearing a free trade agreement: Reports Discovering the UK's hidden treasures The editor of Which? Travel, Rory Boland, expressed his enthusiasm for the diverse range of unique destinations the UK has to offer, from well-known tourist towns to lesser-known villages, reported the Guardian. While the picturesque southwest of the country dominated the top spots, Scotland, Wales, and various regions across England featured in the top 10. This variety ensures that regardless of where you reside, there's an enticing destination right on your doorstep. The elite Top 10 destinations Wells, Somerset Avebury, Wiltshire Port Sunlight, Merseyside Corfe Castle, Dorset Grasmere, Cumbria Lavenham, Suffolk Llangollen, Derbyshire Ludlow, Shropshire Stamford, Lincolnshire Cartmel, Cumbria Church Stretton, Shropshire These destinations offer a captivating glimpse into the rich tapestry of the UK's cultural and natural heritage, making them must-visit places for travellers seeking unforgettable experiences. WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

UK's medieval city of Wells becomes nation's top tourist destination

Polls have opened in Lebanon, candidates are competing for 128 seats that are divided among 11 religious groups. In the crisis hit nation, power is divided according to a sectarian power sharing system.

Lebanon Elections 2022: Sign of hope or looming disaster?

The citizens of Lebanon have sealed the fate of candidates vying for 128 seats divided among 11 religious groups. The voting in the crisis hit nation has closed. Watch this report by WION's correspondent Ghadi Francis.

Lebanon elections 2022: Election newcomers aim to unseat Lebanon's elite

WION's Ghadi Francis spoke to Lebanese MP Faisal Karami over the ongoing elections. He said, we've been suffering from a long time depression and bad decisions by the government that has been using the people for their own benefits. Watch the conversation!

'Lebanon is reeling under prolonged depression,' says Lebanese MP Faisal Karami on WION

WION reports live from the capital as Lebanon will go to the polls today. Independent candidates are taking on the ruling elite. Watch this report.

Polls open in Lebanon: Risk of high abstention during voting

Tracking Lebanon elections 2022: Election newcomers aim to unseat Lebanon's ruling elite

Polls have opened in Lebanon, candidates are competing for 128 seats that are divided among 11 religious groups. In the crisis hit nation, power is divided according to a sectarian power sharing system. So, who are the main players in the elections? Watch this report!

Pivotal polls in Lebanon: Who are the key players in the Lebanese elections?

WION reporting live from the capital as Lebanon polls have opened today. Independent candidates are taking on the ruling elite. Watch this report to know who are the key players in Lebanese elections & decode Lebanon's complex political system.

Lebanon Elections 2022: Decoding Lebanon's complex political system

WION reports live from the capital as Lebanon will go to the polls today. Independent candidates are taking on the ruling elite. Watch this report to know who are the key players in Lebanese elections.

Lebanon Elections 2022: Lebanon battling its worst economic crisis in decades

Tracking Lebanon elections 2022: Who are the key players in Lebanese elections?

The American chapter of the Court of Master Sommeliers, one of the world’s most influential wine organizations, is moving to expel six men accused of a variety of sexual-misconduct offenses, after a nine-month investigation.

The inquiry followed an October 2020 report in The New York Times in which 21 women said they had been sexually harassed, manipulated or assaulted by male master sommeliers. Current and former members described the court, whose members are mostly men, as a bastion of sexual harassment and coercion that had long been known and tolerated by the group’s leaders.

“What became clear through this investigation was the need for a seismic cultural shift within our organization,” Emily Wines, the chairwoman of the chapter’s board, said Wednesday in a statement about its investigation, which was conducted by an outside firm. The announcement was first reported by The San Francisco Chronicle.

The court said it would not disclose specific findings about the six men: Drew Hendricks, Fred Dexheimer, Joseph Linder, Matt Stamp, Robert Bath and Fred Dame, a founder of the chapter. But it said its investigation “confirmed that perceived power was exploited by members of the organization. The findings substantiated behaviors that ranged from inappropriate comments and flirting to nonconsensual touching and exploiting a mentoring relationship for a perceived quid pro quo.”

The court will hold a hearing about the proposed expulsions within 30 days. If the men are ousted, they would be prohibited from applying for reinstatement, according to a letter sent to one of the men.

The chapter also banned Geoff Kruth, a prominent member who resigned last year, from seeking reinstatement. Shortly before The Times article appeared, Kruth stepped down as the president of GuildSomm, the court’s educational spinoff. Eleven women told The Times they had experienced sexual misconduct by Kruth. Reached by phone on Thursday, he declined to comment.

More than a dozen women said Dame had frequently engaged in unwanted touching and sexual innuendo. On Thursday, he hung up on a reporter.

One woman said Hendricks had grabbed for her breasts, and another said he had asked for “a pair of panties to snuggle with” after she refused to sleep with him. Hendricks and his lawyer did not respond to messages seeking comment. Neither did Bath and Dexheimer.

Stamp, once the vice president of the board, failed to disclose that he had sexual relationships with two women who underwent the rigorous exam process required for membership. In a statement, Stamp said he “should have not been within the vicinity of anyone taking an examination” with whom he had a romantic relationship, even though he had recused himself from proctoring the exams for those women.

He said he took responsibility for his error in judgment: “I will learn and grow from my mistakes and accept today’s decision with a heavy heart.”

Linder, a master sommelier in Seattle who is now a contractor, also said that he took responsibility for his actions, but that the scandal pointed to a wider problem in the sommelier community. “When you are impaired, your better judgment goes out the window,” he said.

Liz Dowty Mitchell, 38, a sommelier in New Orleans, is one of two women who said Dame had slapped her on the rear at court events. She also said last year that a man who mentored her had repeatedly pursued her with sexual invitations. He is not among the men the chapter is seeking to dismiss.

Mitchell said she was contacted by an investigator in January, but decided not to take part in the inquiry because she didn’t trust the process. She said that she was blindsided by the sudden release of the investigation results and disappointed that men accused of more egregious sexual acts were not among those marked for expulsion.

“It’s really disheartening,” Mitchell said. “It’s incredibly uncomfortable. It doesn’t leave me with any sort of closure.”

The court said 22 members were investigated, but the “findings did not support further action in some cases.” Some members, it said, will go through “varying levels of rehabilitative education to allow members to take accountability and then return in good standing.”

Wines, the board’s chairwoman, said that while “a small number” of investigations were continuing, the court decided to announce the proposed expulsions because most of the inquiries had concluded.

Mitchell said she has been haunted by the belief that some men, including her mentor, who harassed women would continue as members.

“That’s a horrible feeling when I risked everything to come forward to protect future women,” she said. “I have no assurance that it won’t happen again in the future, and that’s why we came forward in the first place, to protect future women. It’s a pretty terrible feeling. It’s like this is all in vain.”

In the days following The Times report, the chapter elected a new board. Devon Broglie, the chairman, had resigned, after a junior-level candidate said Broglie had an inappropriate sexual relationship with her before he became chairman. The court said his resignation was unrelated to the allegations.

Linder, one of the sommeliers marked for ouster, said he agreed with Mitchell that some men accused of more serious abuses had not been punished.

“The hammer should’ve come a lot harder on the people who groomed candidates and had sex with them,” he said. “And for some reason, they got a pass.”

The American chapter of the Court of Master Sommeliers, one of the world’s most influential wine organizations, is moving to expel six men accused of a variety of sexual-misconduct offenses, after a nine-month investigation.

The American chapter of the Court of Master Sommeliers, one of the world’s most influential wine organizations, is moving to expel six men accused of a variety of sexual-misconduct offenses, after a nine-month investigation. The inquiry followed an October 2020 report in The New York Times in which 21 women said they had been sexually harassed, manipulated or assaulted by male master sommeliers. Current and former members described the court, whose members are mostly men, as a bastion of sexual harassment and coercion that had long been known and tolerated by the group’s leaders. “What became clear through this investigation was the need for a seismic cultural shift within our organization,” Emily Wines, the chairwoman of the chapter’s board, said Wednesday in a statement about its investigation, which was conducted by an outside firm. The announcement was first reported by The San Francisco Chronicle. The court said it would not disclose specific findings about the six men: Drew Hendricks, Fred Dexheimer, Joseph Linder, Matt Stamp, Robert Bath and Fred Dame, a founder of the chapter. But it said its investigation “confirmed that perceived power was exploited by members of the organization. The findings substantiated behaviors that ranged from inappropriate comments and flirting to nonconsensual touching and exploiting a mentoring relationship for a perceived quid pro quo.” The court will hold a hearing about the proposed expulsions within 30 days. If the men are ousted, they would be prohibited from applying for reinstatement, according to a letter sent to one of the men. The chapter also banned Geoff Kruth, a prominent member who resigned last year, from seeking reinstatement. Shortly before The Times article appeared, Kruth stepped down as the president of GuildSomm, the court’s educational spinoff. Eleven women told The Times they had experienced sexual misconduct by Kruth. Reached by phone on Thursday, he declined to comment. More than a dozen women said Dame had frequently engaged in unwanted touching and sexual innuendo. On Thursday, he hung up on a reporter. One woman said Hendricks had grabbed for her breasts, and another said he had asked for “a pair of panties to snuggle with” after she refused to sleep with him. Hendricks and his lawyer did not respond to messages seeking comment. Neither did Bath and Dexheimer. Stamp, once the vice president of the board, failed to disclose that he had sexual relationships with two women who underwent the rigorous exam process required for membership. In a statement, Stamp said he “should have not been within the vicinity of anyone taking an examination” with whom he had a romantic relationship, even though he had recused himself from proctoring the exams for those women. He said he took responsibility for his error in judgment: “I will learn and grow from my mistakes and accept today’s decision with a heavy heart.” Linder, a master sommelier in Seattle who is now a contractor, also said that he took responsibility for his actions, but that the scandal pointed to a wider problem in the sommelier community. “When you are impaired, your better judgment goes out the window,” he said. Liz Dowty Mitchell, 38, a sommelier in New Orleans, is one of two women who said Dame had slapped her on the rear at court events. She also said last year that a man who mentored her had repeatedly pursued her with sexual invitations. He is not among the men the chapter is seeking to dismiss. Mitchell said she was contacted by an investigator in January, but decided not to take part in the inquiry because she didn’t trust the process. She said that she was blindsided by the sudden release of the investigation results and disappointed that men accused of more egregious sexual acts were not among those marked for expulsion. “It’s really disheartening,” Mitchell said. “It’s incredibly uncomfortable. It doesn’t leave me with any sort of closure.” The court said 22 members were investigated, but the “findings did not support further action in some cases.” Some members, it said, will go through “varying levels of rehabilitative education to allow members to take accountability and then return in good standing.” Wines, the board’s chairwoman, said that while “a small number” of investigations were continuing, the court decided to announce the proposed expulsions because most of the inquiries had concluded. Mitchell said she has been haunted by the belief that some men, including her mentor, who harassed women would continue as members. “That’s a horrible feeling when I risked everything to come forward to protect future women,” she said. “I have no assurance that it won’t happen again in the future, and that’s why we came forward in the first place, to protect future women. It’s a pretty terrible feeling. It’s like this is all in vain.” In the days following The Times report, the chapter elected a new board. Devon Broglie, the chairman, had resigned, after a junior-level candidate said Broglie had an inappropriate sexual relationship with her before he became chairman. The court said his resignation was unrelated to the allegations. Linder, one of the sommeliers marked for ouster, said he agreed with Mitchell that some men accused of more serious abuses had not been punished. “The hammer should’ve come a lot harder on the people who groomed candidates and had sex with them,” he said. “And for some reason, they got a pass.”

Elite wine group moves to expel 6 members in sexual harassment inquiry

Maharashtra Chief Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/maharashtra-chief-minister-uddhav-thackeray-announces-rs-2-lakh-loan-waiver-for-poor-farmers-269479">Uddhav Thackeray</a> on Tuesday requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi that he should personally intervene and instruct the concerned authorities to give Marathi language elite status.

In a letter to the Prime Minister, Thackeray said: "On November 16, 2013, a proposal was submitted to the central government on the basis of a report by an expert committee established by the government of Maharashtra regarding grant of status of elite language to Marathi."

"The Marathi language fulfils the criteria required to attain elite language status. Despite repeatedly pursuing elite language status, the matter is pending with the Ministry of Cultural Affairs of the central government," he added.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/politicians-pay-tribute-to-bal-thackeray-on-his-seventh-death-anniversary-262697">Thackeray</a> further said that the concerned department has reported the matter to the Literature Academy's Language Committee for consideration.

Since the matter has been pending for a long time, the Prime Minister should himself intervene and ensure that the Marathi language is given elite status, he added.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Tuesday requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi that he should personally intervene and instruct the concerned authorities to give Marathi language elite status.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Tuesday requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi that he should personally intervene and instruct the concerned authorities to give Marathi language elite status. In a letter to the Prime Minister, Thackeray said: "On November 16, 2013, a proposal was submitted to the central government on the basis of a report by an expert committee established by the government of Maharashtra regarding grant of status of elite language to Marathi." "The Marathi language fulfils the criteria required to attain elite language status. Despite repeatedly pursuing elite language status, the matter is pending with the Ministry of Cultural Affairs of the central government," he added. Thackeray further said that the concerned department has reported the matter to the Literature Academy's Language Committee for consideration. Since the matter has been pending for a long time, the Prime Minister should himself intervene and ensure that the Marathi language is given elite status, he added.

Maharashtra: CM Thackeray writes to PM Modi seeking elite status for Marathi language

The term &ldquo;jobless growth&rdquo;, much in the news these days, is used to describe the phenomenon of GDP growth without a commensurate increase in (formal) employment. How can GDP grow without job creation? The increasing use of machines in production is one crucial reason.&nbsp;

Annual Survey of Industries data, which reports on organised or formal sector firms, shows that the capital to labour ratio has steadily risen in most industries over the past few decades. In a country like India, where labour is abundant and cheap, why are firms choosing to substitute capital (machines) for labour? Several explanations have been offered, none of them exclusive of the others.

One story, popular among some economists as well as policy-makers is that India&rsquo;s labour laws are too restrictive. Faced with an excessive regulation of hiring and firing, firms prefer to substitute machines for workers. A vigorous debate has raged over this issue. Although a consensus of sorts seems to be forming in the policy circles that labour laws are a big constraint on job creation, and several steps have already been taken at the centre and state level to dilute these laws, two things are worth noting. First, firm owners often do not list labour laws among the top two or three constraints that they face in expanding their business. Rather inadequate infrastructure, government procedures, and weak demand top the list.&nbsp;

To put it another way, if strong demand were assured and infrastructure streamlined, then labour laws would be unlikely to get in the way of firm expansion. Second, if firms really wanted to expand while avoiding being subject to labour laws, we should observe a large number of firms employing workers up to just below the threshold where labour laws kick in. But we observe no such &ldquo;clumping.&rdquo;

Of course, it is possible that firms do not face this constraint simply because they hire informal (off the books) workers via contractors. This way expansion is assured without being subject to labour laws. Indeed, the data clearly show an increasing presence of informal workers within formal sector firms. But the solution to this proliferation of precarious jobs is actually to make sure these jobs get formalised and come under the ambit of regulation. And not to remove regulation on existing formal jobs. What is needed is an intelligent approach that strengthens those regulations that will improve job security, working conditions, and rights to bargain collectively, while allowing firms the flexibility to shed labour after meeting due obligations and safeguards.

The second explanation for increasing mechanisation draws on the fact that in recent decades, the Indian economy has become increasingly more integrated into the global economy. Trade liberalisation makes the import of capital and intermediate goods easier. Imported capital goods are relatively cheaper and this reduces the relative price of capital vis-a-vis labour, inducing firms to substitute capital for labour. Trade liberalisation also forced domestic firms to compete with foreign firms in the domestic market. Since foreign firms bring in products produced with much more capital-intensive technology and lower unit costs (because they often operate in capital-rich, labour-scarce economies), domestic firms also have to adopt that technology to stay competitive. And finally, trade liberalisation allows Indian firms to access foreign markets, where again they have to compete with firms producing with capital-intensive technology.

A third explanation is that growth in the post-reform period has benefited a narrow class of Indians, thereby, increasing inequality. Hence expenditure by the elite has become an important source of demand for domestic manufacturers. This elite demand is skewed towards products, such as automobiles, electronics, white goods, higher-end services etc. which are produced by capital-intensive and not labour-intensive technology as it is done in sectors producing food and clothing etc. So a growth in elite demand, raises GDP but does not create jobs.

All this has serious implications for the &ldquo;normal&rdquo; way in which other countries historically managed to create employment, through increasing manufacturing activities. It is not available anymore because countries that are expanding their industrial and manufacturing base today have to compete with much more advanced countries in the same market. As a result, in many developing countries, manufacturing share of employment is declining instead of growing. Workers are moving directly from agriculture into services. This has been called &ldquo;premature deindustrialization.&rdquo;

Finally, at the ideological level, governments in countries like India have willingly constrained themselves. They have not adopted strategic trade and industrial policies for fear of being labeled &ldquo;protectionist,&rdquo; &ldquo;anti-market&rdquo;, &ldquo;anti-investor&rdquo;, anti-globalisation&rdquo; etc. In fact, a large economy like India should have significant leeway in policy-making to suit its own priorities. After all the true test of a well-functioning economy is whether it makes life better for all its citizens, not whether it is open and global.

Increasing uses of informal workers, rising demands of elites and a globalised economy are keeping Indians jobless.

The term “jobless growth”, much in the news these days, is used to describe the phenomenon of GDP growth without a commensurate increase in (formal) employment. How can GDP grow without job creation? The increasing use of machines in production is one crucial reason. Annual Survey of Industries data, which reports on organised or formal sector firms, shows that the capital to labour ratio has steadily risen in most industries over the past few decades. In a country like India, where labour is abundant and cheap, why are firms choosing to substitute capital (machines) for labour? Several explanations have been offered, none of them exclusive of the others. One story, popular among some economists as well as policy-makers is that India’s labour laws are too restrictive. Faced with an excessive regulation of hiring and firing, firms prefer to substitute machines for workers. A vigorous debate has raged over this issue. Although a consensus of sorts seems to be forming in the policy circles that labour laws are a big constraint on job creation, and several steps have already been taken at the centre and state level to dilute these laws, two things are worth noting. First, firm owners often do not list labour laws among the top two or three constraints that they face in expanding their business. Rather inadequate infrastructure, government procedures, and weak demand top the list. To put it another way, if strong demand were assured and infrastructure streamlined, then labour laws would be unlikely to get in the way of firm expansion. Second, if firms really wanted to expand while avoiding being subject to labour laws, we should observe a large number of firms employing workers up to just below the threshold where labour laws kick in. But we observe no such “clumping.” Of course, it is possible that firms do not face this constraint simply because they hire informal (off the books) workers via contractors. This way expansion is assured without being subject to labour laws. Indeed, the data clearly show an increasing presence of informal workers within formal sector firms. But the solution to this proliferation of precarious jobs is actually to make sure these jobs get formalised and come under the ambit of regulation. And not to remove regulation on existing formal jobs. What is needed is an intelligent approach that strengthens those regulations that will improve job security, working conditions, and rights to bargain collectively, while allowing firms the flexibility to shed labour after meeting due obligations and safeguards. The second explanation for increasing mechanisation draws on the fact that in recent decades, the Indian economy has become increasingly more integrated into the global economy. Trade liberalisation makes the import of capital and intermediate goods easier. Imported capital goods are relatively cheaper and this reduces the relative price of capital vis-a-vis labour, inducing firms to substitute capital for labour. Trade liberalisation also forced domestic firms to compete with foreign firms in the domestic market. Since foreign firms bring in products produced with much more capital-intensive technology and lower unit costs (because they often operate in capital-rich, labour-scarce economies), domestic firms also have to adopt that technology to stay competitive. And finally, trade liberalisation allows Indian firms to access foreign markets, where again they have to compete with firms producing with capital-intensive technology. A third explanation is that growth in the post-reform period has benefited a narrow class of Indians, thereby, increasing inequality. Hence expenditure by the elite has become an important source of demand for domestic manufacturers. This elite demand is skewed towards products, such as automobiles, electronics, white goods, higher-end services etc. which are produced by capital-intensive and not labour-intensive technology as it is done in sectors producing food and clothing etc. So a growth in elite demand, raises GDP but does not create jobs. All this has serious implications for the “normal” way in which other countries historically managed to create employment, through increasing manufacturing activities. It is not available anymore because countries that are expanding their industrial and manufacturing base today have to compete with much more advanced countries in the same market. As a result, in many developing countries, manufacturing share of employment is declining instead of growing. Workers are moving directly from agriculture into services. This has been called “premature deindustrialization.” Finally, at the ideological level, governments in countries like India have willingly constrained themselves. They have not adopted strategic trade and industrial policies for fear of being labeled “protectionist,” “anti-market”, “anti-investor”, anti-globalisation” etc. In fact, a large economy like India should have significant leeway in policy-making to suit its own priorities. After all the true test of a well-functioning economy is whether it makes life better for all its citizens, not whether it is open and global.

Why is India's growth not creating more jobs?

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