WIDE ANGLE: 1-800-INDIA (TV)
Summary
Bill Moyers hosts this documentary series that investigates contemporary global, political, and social issues. This episode examines how outsourcing from the United States has caused a rapid economic growth in India. The program begins by showing how old traditions are colliding with new opportunites in India due to employment opportunites offered by B.P.O (Business Process Outsourcing.) Using the New Delhi suburb of Gurgaon as a base, the program tells how more than 350 million English-speaking Indians form a labor pool which has become a five-billion dollar business. Pramid Bhasin, president and CEO of Gecis, one of the world's largest BPOs, notes how former doctors now earn far more income as part of his staff. The program then shows how BPO workers are taught to neutralize their accents, deal with customers who want to speak to "non-foreigners," and deal with on-job stress. The program also addresses how young women -- who comprise more than half of BPO employees -- are often made "team leaders" and earn from $2,000 to $10,000 (though Americans in comparable positions make up to ten times as much.) Filmmaker Safina Uberol illustrates how, in a society where men have always been more valued, women's financial contributions to the household have made them equally valued by paternal figures. Jobs in India have also increased in the food industry since PPOs need to have in-house cafeterias open around-the-clock, and taxi companies are employed by BPOs to bring workers to their job, even if it involves a two-hour commute each way. Cultural differences -- women marrying later, or living away from their families with other young people -- are later explored, showing how values are evolving into a westernized way of thinking. The program concludes by noting that outsourcing is currently spreading to industries such as architecture, animation, and law. Following the program, Clyde Prestowitz, founder and president of the Economic Strategy Institute, talks with Moyers about how the American dream has been transported to India, and how Americans can maintain a competitive edge in the business world.
Cataloging of this program was made possible by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.
Details
- NETWORK: PBS
- DATE: September 13, 2005 9:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 0:57:03
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: T:87703
- GENRE: Public Affairs/Documentaries
- SUBJECT HEADING: India - Social conditions; India - Economic conditions; Employment/Unemployment; Asian American Pacific Islanders Collection
- SERIES RUN: PBS - TV series, 2002-2009
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Stephen Segaller … Executive Producer
- Nina Chaudry … Coordinating Producer
- Charlotte Mangin … Coordinating Producer
- Amy Rubin … Coordinating Producer
- Andy Halper … Senior Producer
- Anna Cater … Producer
- Erin Chapman … Associate Producer
- Tamara Rosenberg … Associate Producer
- Jessica Wang … Associate Producer
- Pamela Hogan … Series Producer
- Safina Uberol … Director
- Avani Batra … Researcher
- Priya Sen … Researcher
- Shashi Singh … Researcher
- Greg White … Music by
- Douglas J. Cuomo … Music by
- Alan John … Music by
- Bobby Singh … Singer
- Ben Walsh … Singer
- Bill Moyers … Host
- Jay O. Sanders … Narrator
- Clyde Prestowitz … Guest
- Pramid Bhasin