Are we on right path?

Are We on the Right Path?

Antibiotics are one of the major reasons for the increase in human life expectancy, which has resulted in a population explosion, keeping everybody on their toes to increase economic activity, generate employment, and improve the quality of life.

Leaders around the world take credit for achievements, but much of our progress and success comes from the innovations and discoveries of scientists and technocrats.

Nature used to control population with the rule of “survival of the fittest.” A female has the capacity to produce 750 eggs during her life cycle, while a man’s sperm can generate a new world. But we have chosen “first come, first survive.” We care about the quality of goods and services, but when it comes to human beings, whatever comes, we make every effort to ensure their survival.

India and other developing countries may claim to have a young population, but this also suggests that they have fewer elderly people. The developed world looks after its elderly by spending a major part of its budget on healthcare.

We are walking in opposite directions. On one side, we are saving people with antibiotics and healthcare; on the other, we are worried about population explosion, poverty, unemployment, slums, minimum needs, etc. Those who can afford it limit their children to one or two, while those who cannot afford it have many children. And then the whole world of politicians, bureaucrats, economists, technocrats, and people are on the job 24×7, trying to manage the quality of life of the people.

Are we walking the right path?

Deaths due to swine flu or Ebola may be fewer compared with deaths from accidents or heart attacks, but sometimes propaganda is used for the disposal of medicinal stocks and vaccines. We may argue that spending generates economic activity!

World organisations have carved a path of development using parameters such as HDI, IMR, MMR, life expectancy, median years of education, etc. Profit-makers, using advertising campaigns through television and the media, have made millions of us mad about the physical world. The smell of perspiration is being replaced by perfumes and deodorants.

After all, what do we want? Happiness in life. And happiness comes from peace of mind. Peace of mind comes from a better understanding of the cycle of nature. However, some basic minimum physical support is necessary to maintain the quality of life.

Which is the better way? Should we follow the code of nature, or should we fight back and run faster and faster until nature disposes of us completely, as we have already planted the seeds of greenhouse gases and emptied natural resources? We are taking away the chances of survival of people in future generations.

Rural India is behind in HDI. But if you change the parameters as follows and evaluate them, what would its rank be?

1. Eight hours of deep, sound sleep

2. No BP

3. No stress

4. People not taking medicines

5. Good digestion capacity

6. Ability to walk

7. Stamina for physical work

8. People without spectacles (eye numbers)

9. People with inner peace

10. Innocence on the face rather than artificial glitter, reflecting inner happiness

The countries with power are threatening others and expanding their territories; the have-nots are taking a shortcut to terrorism; the rich want to become richer; youths want to become more handsome or beautiful; children are loaded with the weight of books. All are getting mad.

Vo bachpan, vo jawani, vo budhapa... — all are losing their natural colour. Natural joy of life, coming from within, has been replaced by an artificial world of physical articles.

Do grow, but not at the cost of general happiness and peace. Consume, but do not exploit. Save for the future world. Spending may increase economic activity and improve the quality of life of the living, but savings will take care of both.

Let us balance our actions so that they harmonise with nature.

A U-turn is required. Who will take the lead?

Punamchand
19/11/2014
Mussoorie, Ph-5