Nonclinical challenges of Indian dermatology - cities vs. villages, poverty, and lack of awareness.

As India shines in its enviable achievements, one after the other in rapid succession, it also invites criticism from visitors for what they witness. It is imperative to delve deeper to fathom the realities of the predominantly rural India with its poverty and lack of awareness which are stumbling blocks and are major pitfalls in the practice of dermatology. The urban-rural divide, the phenomenon of migration, poverty, lack of awareness all affect practice of dermatology in this country. These are battles that have no ready answers. However a deeper understanding of the ground reality is a worthwhile exercise for the increasing tribe of international dermatologists who like to explore "cross cultural dermatology".