It has another side that validates their opinion. ( I am neither upper caste, nor come from a historically wealthy family) In many cases parents will live incr

It has another side that validates their opinion. ( I am neither upper caste, nor come from a historically wealthy family) In many cases parents will live incredibly frugally their whole lives to save up enough money for their child's education. Growing up on $3-8k annually is a humble background for a family when look at from the American lens. Qualifying for Indian universities is a nightmare exam that takes 2+ years of 10+ hrs a day of study. The kids compromise on any hobbies and a life just to MAKE IT. Everything in India IS far harder than the developed world. A family that can't afford a personal vehicle, air conditioning or a single vacation over their lifetime is a humble family. Being successful enough to make it to the >95th percentile in the western world from such beginning is commendable and something a person should be able to take pride in. Now, is it still an order of magnitude less hard to do this than it is for a dalit ? Ofc it is. But, should a person born in the western world feel ashamed to get a phd because kids in Africa are dying of hunger ? NO. > Come from humble backgrounds and 'made it' in society all on their own > Upper caste Indians are more likely to have access to better education Both these statements can be true. One should not need to throw away pride in their accomplishments to empathize with someone less fortunate.