RURAL THEMATIC: 
Strategy & Economy: Has ‘rural’ 
India been overhyped? 
Whilst the cyclical 
drivers of rural demand at this stage are evident, will the rural story persist 
beyond 2HFY14? We highlight five fundamental changes that have unfolded in rural 
India over the past five years and are likely to systematically lend greater 
fervour to India’s rural demand story. These fundamental changes (in order of 
importance) include: (1) The boom in road connectivity, (2) The rise in rural 
teledensity, (3) The dramatic increase in land prices in rural India, (4) The 
rise and rise of blue-collar wages, and (5) The increase in social spending by 
states and the Centre. We highlight Idea, Dish TV, Ramco Cements and M&M as 
compelling plays on this underlying theme.