Within a couple of decades, there has been a drastic change in lifestyle in India. We have seen globalisation spawning new wealth, which has unfortunately remained in the hands of a few privileged. Economic growth has not been inclusive. That means the poor have remained poor. The lower middle class, a unique educated class trapped in low-paying jobs that had somehow managed to hold its head high over the years has eroded into poverty. There has however been a rise of a new upper middle class through IT and other high-growth sectors. This young and elite crowd has displayed an opulent lifestyle rivalling even that of the traditionally rich.
No, I am not going to vent self-righteous anger against the IT crowd and blame them for all evils. That is just plain stupid. When you are young, naïve, and suddenly exposed to a heady mix of wealth and easy accessibility to luxury, it is natural to stumble into the rabbit hole of materialism.
That brings us to the second point. Earlier, there was no way a moderately rich person could buy a Merc and live outside his means. That prevented unnecessary spending and acted as a check against overt consumption. Today, you just get a bank loan and voila! Move over ambassador, here comes the Skoda Bravia or a Jaguar or even a Ferrari?
Third point, it has led to wealth being concentrated in a few cities and occupations and overwhelming misery to other parts of the country and other means of livelihood. As people from villages flock to the city in search of a better life, abandoning their fields and livestock, cities have become more polluted, congested, and frankly unsustainable. Agriculture has collapsed, farmlands have been sold, artisans are in despair, and farmers are committing suicide.
Thus having smothered our talents and pawned our resources leading to a gradual decline in self-sufficiency, there is greater dependence on other countries for food (physical, intellectual, political, cultural, spiritual, moral). We keep looking outwards for solutions forgetting that an inward gaze at any level is the best remedy.
As people flee from their natural environment, time-honoured practices are shelved. Many languages, art forms, and beliefs die. An indigenous culture that held together a vibrant pluralistic society is lost. Intolerance raises its ugly head. The rest is history.
Standing at the threshold of total bankruptcy, let us begin afresh.
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