The Obstructions:

He said: For economic progress to be possible, there must be a certain percentage of the nation with qualities of self-reliance, ambition, and ability. In India, despite five year plans, etc., there are Insufficient able men to carry them out. There is an ideal amongst intellectuals that economic science is the key to the future, and the panacea to all ills—but no one can put it into practice. Professor Munz felt that the greatest obstruction was the Joint family system: Aunts, grand-parents, sisters, cousins—the whole family—would live together in one home. There is consequently no small-family life, no opportunity for personal and private relationships, either in the family or outside it. What a person knows or does is shared by all, especially marriages.

The result is a muted personality with personal feelings subordinated to those of the community. Even husband and wife relationships are affected. This situation can never produce an ambitious, independent people with qualities for going ahead.