THERE IS some good news for the Indians as the International Institute for Environment and Development, a UK-based policy research non-governmental body released a report featuring as many as 11 Indian cities, which have made it into the list of 100 fastest growing cities in the world.

 
Faridabad picked up the sixth position, followed by Durg-Bhilai in Chhattisgarh, which is known for a massive steel plan.
 
Even emerging cities like Guwahati, Bhopal, Aurangabad, Surat, Dhanbad, Visakhapatnam and Asansol have found a place in the list. And of course, there is Ghaziabad, another city in the National Capital Region.
 
India is just next to China in this list of upcoming cities. The report also says, “if China and India continue to enjoy economic success, they may have larger urban populations in 2020 than those predicted by the United Nations.”
 
If we look back in time, we will see that the richest nations have had the highest number of urban population.
 
Interestingly, the balance has tilted of late. Now, Africa has more people living in urban areas than North America. Reason behind this is simple: people have now become more conscious regarding their socio-economical status. With amazing advancement in science and technology, easy access to mobile and Internet, people know about anything and everything in a matter of seconds.
 
Education abroad has also opened up new vistas of social upliftment everywhere. Mingling of different cultures through marriage or friendship has also paved many a fruitful miles in the road to development across seven seas, as well as different geographical locations.