Consumerism

Consumerism

India is passing through a period of appreciative economic growth. But it is not inclusive and so the benefits accrue only to those already endowed with political, social and / or economic wealth This make them richer and make rich-poor divide much more. Politician- bureaucrat- police- terrorist nexus accentuate this phenomenon. It is a fact that the percolate effects of development benefit some of those marginalised also. But most of them remain outside the governmental and NGO dispensations of programmes and policies.

While those below the poverty line is on the decline and the level of unemployment has decreased from about 20 to 9 % of the population, the gulf between the rich and the poor is widening. This skewing up of the incomes into the hand of a few, portents still greater unrest.

In the milieu of the present day concerns of very slow agricultural growth, increasing farmer suicides, still existing unemployment, quantity constrained consumer market, terrorism, drug and hawala mafia, increasing harassment of women, all pervasive corruption especially of the political leaderships, all varieties of illegalities and internal and external induced insecurity issues, we have very difficult days ahead.

Self discipline and containment of consumerism is the solution. Unlimited wants and increasing efforts to satisfy them are desirable. That will lead to more economic growth and income of the people. But excessive consumerism can only lead to ecological and environmental destruction as is happening in the West, and specially in Germany. In Germany the “ecological footprints” of man is the highest in the World. True to the Indian tradition, let us not imitate the West. We must try to preserve the flora and fauna of the earth, rather than follow the mad race of the westerners.

Prof..Joseph K.Alexander

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