Contrast of the development

We all are preparing to welcome New Year 2008 and cherishing all the historic moments that had happened in the year 2007. Media termed the year 2007 as "euphoric or pink" year and it is not totally false since the special focus of media was on 'Economy and Business' of our country.

Remember, when our nation ‘prosperity indicator' SENSEX touched the charismatic height of 20,000 and on the other hand India Inc. achievements were also bullish in the same year. Also, when DLF launched a historic IPO that sailed through overnight. It is also the year of wealth creation, as Mukesh Ambani created Rs. 40 lakh per minute.

But the whole story is not merely these Bullish headlines, apart from all these headings; it is also the same year when nation saw a historic suicide by a farmer in Vidharbha, where the per capita calorie intake is the lowest since independence even lesser than some historic famine, only in this year.

The year 2007 marked the second straight year of 9% plus GDP growth rate. Investment and Infrastructure have surged to an all time high and also when our Metros invaded with State of the art, world class Malls and moreover they also made sure of the availability of all world-leading Brands at our walking distance, but with the permission of FDI in organised retail.

Also, we noticed when our street shopkeeper heard the voice of ruin and our nearest street vendor feeling that they will be no more competitive in this market and they will certainly get a kick off from this lopsided race.

The government official data shows more than 70% of people earned less than 20 rupees per day and fight for survival over this year. As we know that, when Armani and Diesel is easily available in our nearest market, can we kindly have a look on our tradional weaver. You must have also heard the story of Banarasi sari bunker (weaver) and the suicide ratio in this section was also reached all time high in the previous year.

Please think and tell me that the year 2007 is ‘euphoria or prosperity'? Or it is ‘our myopic vision'? Can we be able to see the macro picture of the society? I raise this question to you all.

In addition, the whole Economic Policy and model of our country do not address or serve the requirement of poor or underprivileged class. Also, as per the referenced Export Oriented model of our economy, the essential outcome of fabricated ‘Globalisation' the government compensate for another prosperity indicator ‘rupees appreciation', and when our rupees is on the historic high level, then our IT industry goes to huge loss, then question on the relevance of this Export Oriented model?

During the year 2007, the name of rapid industrialisation government approved the SEZ bill, and the outcome was that thousands of people died in brutal mishap, lost their home and farm in a reign of a ‘pro people' govt. in West Bengal.

In the name of economic ‘Development and Beautification' of the city ‘the millennium development programme' executed in Mumbai (Dharavi and old textile mill) and for state of the art Malls, multiplexes, people are ready to lose their shelters in city.

So, let us pray that the New Year 2008 will not be so ‘euphoric and pink', since the cost of this prosperity is not very prominent.