'I hope the middle class is spared'

Nishant Unnikrishnan, 17, an engineering student, says: "Of course, the Budget is important otherwise how do you know what has become costlier and what has remained affordable."

"I am looking forward to the new Manmohan Singh government doing justice to the young generation, especially in the educational field. I hope that the economically backward students get justice in various institutions since affordability is a great factor. Leave alone the poor; even middle-class students can barely afford the spiralling cost of higher education."

"I am sceptical about governments living up to their promises because of the rampant corruption in all walks of life including among politicians who run the government. Of course, my family plans its finances because every year you hear that the prices of most things have gone up. My friend's father is building a house and he complains that the price of cement and other building materials have risen."

"Take my pocket money, for instance. It is not lavish by even conservative standards. Sometimes, I like to travel by a three-wheeler but we are fleeced by its drivers who say that they have to charge more because the fuel prices have gone up."

"P Chidambaram has a sound reputation as a finance minister. But his reputation alone cannot solve the problems of the common people reeling under the high cost of living. He has to prove that his economic measures will help the common man."

"If I were in his place, I would ensure that the rich were taxed in proportion to their wealth. And I would ensure that the farmers, the poor people, especially poor students found it much easier to cope with life."

- As told to Tara Shankar Sahay

Photograph: Vijender Tyagi

Budget 2004-05: Complete Coverage