Farmers in India and Abroad
After todays conversation with Aswin about the lack of enthusiasm of the "educated class" in India to vote and the consequent importance of farmers in the political scheme of things....etc.. I found this article quite interesting and relevant
posted by vashok | 10:53 PM
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3 Comments:
There used to be a somewhat Gandhian model of economics and growth. . .which had its basis in the self sufficiency of villages, strong agriculture, and strong panchayat type self government. A grass roots democracy. But the modern paradigm that has been slickly sold to us. . .and is fairly good for us urban city types who can get software jobs. . .is the paradigm of foreign investment. Let people lend you the money with which you can build things. . .and let's all grow rich together.
I am not for one mode or the other. I think we can do both. The article reminds us not to forget what development should be all about. And what wealth is-- happy citizens, good infrastructure, clean air.
It's not just about self sustainment or Democracy or Global Economic Markets with Free trade et al. It's about taking care of the BASIC necessities of life, and if you think about it, FOOD is all that is really needed, and everything else comes after that, and we shouldnt forget that. Money is still just paper (nowadays a number residing in some Bank HQ harddrive), and having lots of it with no food to live isn't going to help...
On the other hand, Life is meant to be lived richly, and we are not machines to just fill up our fuel tanks, and expend energy. For having a meaningful lifestyle, we have to do something extra (Manufacturing, Media, Software :P ) in addition to food ... and not in place of food.
Vijay... let me add, water and fresh air to the list of food. We should be careful not to miss the slow death most Indian rivers are dying.
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