The world is aface to a new economic recession and every one is sceptic about the future. Many people are reminded of the Great Recession of the 1930s. I don't think the two recessions are same, or that their causes are same.
The recession had followed two Wars. Though we are witness to a so-called war against terrorism it cannot be equated with the two World Wars. The reasons, I think, are somewhere else. Probably this is the outcome of extreme and unashamed consumerism in the leadership of the West. In the recent past, materialism has been the only yardstick of success. Industries and industrialisation decide whether a nation is developed or developing. Do not forget, this industrialisation led the Great(!) Britain and other European powers to the colonial policies.
We have been exploiting natural resources at great pace. So much so that, through advertisements, demands are even being created. With growing population we need more foodgrains than cars, mobiles and other such luxuries. In order to provide more and more maenities to those who can afford we have been converting cultivable lands into either industrial plants or into dumping grounds for the industy's waste. Do we forget that even the so-called fast food comes from the fields and not factories?
Rich people relish in having numerous cars, moboles, even helicopters and their very own helipads. They are different people, feeling uneasy in sharing their common interest with the common people.
Rich people and rich nations are most to blame for this recession. They demand more than they need because they can afford. In turn they create a perceived need among those who cannot really afford or among those who do not really need. This rat race leads to over exploitation of the resources. The environmental degradation, global warming, calamities all are the outcome of this overexploitation. Even as the man does not feel like continuing its existence, the nature has to. All the evils that we assign to nature are caused by us, and are the defence machanism of Mother Nature.
The traditional Indian culture and thought of contentment are the answer to all the losses we have scored. संतोषः परम सुखम meaning contentment is the ultimate happiness is the answer to the problem. We are already late enough, but it is never late to start.
Coming back to recession, we have reached a level where the plat of demand has been achieved. There is not much space to even keep a car, let alone driving it through an overcrowded city. People walk miles after parking their cars, to reach their desination. Does it make any sense? People are building houses (not holes) for letting out, not homes because they have one. Can everyone have a home and another house to let out? It is ludicrous. And governments are still pumping in millions to strengthen their indutries. It is doubly ludicrous. Industries have their roducts ready for sale, but who is buying, WHO WILL BUY?
No, the call is not for MOVE AHEAD TO THE PAST, but a pause may heal, bothe the nature as well as the economy.
