Try GOLD - Free
The Paradox of Power Without Progress
The New Indian Express Jeypore
|August 31, 2025
Wahab examines why the Hindi belt continues to wield political dominance yet remains mired in poverty and social unrest
The road to power in Delhi, it is said, runs through the Hindi belt. Stretching across the vast Indo-Gangetic plains, the region has been the crucible of Indian politics, producing eight of the country's 15 prime ministers, electing the largest number of lawmakers, and wielding immense influence on its cultural and religious identity. Yet, as Ghazala Wahab shows in her latest book, The Hindi Heartland, its political clout has not translated into progress.
The centrality of the Hindi heartland, Wahab notes, is best grasped from Narendra Modi's decision to pick Varanasi as his Lok Sabha constituency to enter the Prime Minister's office in 2014. "An astute politician, Modi understood that the heartland provides the best path to power. Rule the Hindi heartland, rule India," she notes.
However, despite its numerical and political weight, the region lags in all human development indices and is in a constant state of social unrest. The Hindi belt, writes Wahab, is the most impoverished, as poverty levels in the region are much higher than the rest of India. Caste violence, growing communal polarisation, and feudal structures continue to define it, contributing to the region's description as dysfunctional.
This story is from the August 31, 2025 edition of The New Indian Express Jeypore.
Subscribe to Magzter GOLD to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 10,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
MORE STORIES FROM The New Indian Express Jeypore

The New Indian Express Jeypore
Asia Cup to be handed over in official ceremony: Naqvi
REFUSING to budge from his previous stance, Mohsin Naqvi, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman and also president of Asian Cricket Council (ACC), reiterated that the Asia Cup will be personally handed to the victorious Indian team by him in his capacity as the head of the continental cricket board.
1 mins
October 23, 2025
The New Indian Express Jeypore
MINDFUL METROPOLIS
Here are five options to experience and explore Singapore's spiritual culture and way of living...
3 mins
October 23, 2025
The New Indian Express Jeypore
'India conceals, Trump reveals,' says Cong on US Prez's Russian oil claims
THE Congress on Wednesday used a phone call from White House greeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Deepavali to take a swipe at the Centre. The attack came after US President Donald Trump repeated his claim that India is “not going to buy much oil from Russia”.
1 min
October 23, 2025
The New Indian Express Jeypore
Talks with govt constructive, says Leh team after meeting
IN the first sign of a thaw, leaders of Ladakh, where four people died in police firing during the recent pro-statehood protests, met with officials of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Wednesday for subcommittee level talks.
1 mins
October 23, 2025
The New Indian Express Jeypore
PSG score seven, Barca hit six on a goal-filled night
PARIS Saint-Germain scored seven, Barcelona hit six and Erling Haaland struck his 24th goal of the season on an actionpacked night in the Champions League.
1 min
October 23, 2025
The New Indian Express Jeypore
25 Bhairav Light Combat Battalions likely to get ready within six months
THE Indian Army’s transformation plans will reach a new milestone with specialised Bhairav Light Combat Battalions set to be fully operational soon.
1 mins
October 23, 2025
The New Indian Express Jeypore
EC initiates talks with states for nationwide SIR rollout
THE Election Commission of India (ECI) on Wednesday began a two-day meeting with Chief Electoral Officers (CEOs) from all the states and the Union Territories (UTs) to review preparations for the nationwide Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
1 mins
October 23, 2025
The New Indian Express Jeypore
BIHAR LEADERS FACE YOUTH TEST
WITH the Bihar election campaign gaining steam, the spotlight is increasingly focused on three key factors—the caste calculus, alliance chemistry and women’s vote—that past elections have highlighted.
3 mins
October 23, 2025
The New Indian Express Jeypore
Coach Srinath backs Praggnanandhaa, Erigaisi at chess World Cup
GRANDMASTER Srinath Narayanan, who was the coach of the India team that won gold at the 2024 Chess Olympiad, felt both R Praggnanandhaa and Arjun Erigaisi would have a great chance to lift the title.
1 mins
October 23, 2025
The New Indian Express Jeypore
Egypt, EU hold first summit on Gaza, trade and security talks
EGYPT and the European Union will hold their first summit on Wednesday in Brussels where leaders will discuss security, trade and migration as well as stability in Gaza.
1 min
October 23, 2025
Listen
Translate
Change font size