Struggle for Surviaval
Seventy plus old man Ram Sevak (name not real) is sitting and swaying due to sleepiness. He has a bundle wrapped in dirty clothes. The old man's struggle for survival is manifested from disheveled head to toe appearance. He has no sleeper in his feet, has bare minimum rag on his feeble body. To get rid of drowsiness he starts rubbing tobacco on his palm. Once rubbing is done, he puts the tobacco under the lower lip. He is still unable to overcome sleepiness. He loosens his dhoti at waistline and takes out coins. He counts it several times absent-minded. What is there in your bundle I ask approaching him. He opens his eyes, lift his head and replies. It's paan, betel leaves, 20 rupiah saikda( 100 pieces for Rs. 20). Do you grow it yourself, I ask. I brought it from Darbhanga town this morning, he says. Darbhanga town is 15 km away. The old man must have covered good part on his bare feet. How many have you already sold? I am still to find a customer, he responds without countenance.
I observed the old man might have 1000 pieces in his bundle. It was already 11 A. M. and he had not opened account yet. Even if he would sell all that is in the bundle, how much will he save. Ram Sevak in my village is not the only one struggling to keep his soul and body together.
The benefit of liberal economic system is not percolating downward. No economic data, no research paper, conference or seminar is needed, just a walk around the rural hinterland of any geographical area and witness rampant poverty and distress. The growing gap between haves and have-nots is another challenge the economic system is creating today. Agriculture sector is not helping poor come out of vicious Web of poverty. Manufacturing sector is not generating employment. Efficacy of service sector in generation of economic opportunity is dubious. Growth of service sector may push the country up in the rankings It doesn’t help the masses languishing at bottom of economic pyramid. An economic policy capable of generating economic opportunity for the large chunk of population is desperately needed.
I observed the old man might have 1000 pieces in his bundle. It was already 11 A. M. and he had not opened account yet. Even if he would sell all that is in the bundle, how much will he save. Ram Sevak in my village is not the only one struggling to keep his soul and body together.
The benefit of liberal economic system is not percolating downward. No economic data, no research paper, conference or seminar is needed, just a walk around the rural hinterland of any geographical area and witness rampant poverty and distress. The growing gap between haves and have-nots is another challenge the economic system is creating today. Agriculture sector is not helping poor come out of vicious Web of poverty. Manufacturing sector is not generating employment. Efficacy of service sector in generation of economic opportunity is dubious. Growth of service sector may push the country up in the rankings It doesn’t help the masses languishing at bottom of economic pyramid. An economic policy capable of generating economic opportunity for the large chunk of population is desperately needed.
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