Changes in aspirations seen in various parts of the developing world have fostered the creation of new needs. The ?capacity to aspire?, however, is not evenly distributed among groups. As this article explains, the capacity to aspire depends on existing capabilities and practices. While these are decided, among other things, by set traditions and modes of group interaction and development, aspirations can be modified through conscious interventions in the shape of education, communication and a greater exposure to the wider world.