Colonial Economy is now stagnant

The present day economy of mass production, stock exchange and shares etc. we see around the world started in England in the second half of 18th century. It is interesting to note here that industrialisation in England started at a time when India was coming under British rule after battle of Plassey in 1757. Till this time India was world leader in economy and industry although production was hand-made. However after India lost its independence, Britishers controlled and/or closed down all hand-made industrial proucts like cotton and silk fabrics, jute, dye-stuffs, mineral and metallic products, saltpetre and oils so that British manufacturers can produce those items in England by steam powered machines in factories in mass scale. By this time England had colonialised America, Canada, South Africa, Australia and several island nations including India. These colonies were used to supply raw materials to British factories and finished products were sold in these colonies by closing down all traditional means of production. By this only British manufactures got immense wealth while artisans around the world became labourers either in factories or in agriculture. Industrial revolution got started in England not due to the inventions of modern machines but due to the greed of manufacturures to produce more and more for the world market which was under their control
Such type of economy is sustainable if only few manufacturers produce in mass scale and almost all people produce nothing. But after all countries got independence industries in public and private sectors came up eveywhere. Monopoly of few manufacturers came to an end. However economy of mass production means most people produce nothing. If most people produce nothing they will have no purchasing power. When products shall not be purchased, economy shall be stagnant. For this, colonial economy is stagnant all around the world.  

Har gaon mein bijli

"har gaon mein bijli" i.e. electricity to all villages. It is an utopia. These words are uttered in elections. Villages may be connected with electric cables but uninterrupted supply to all cities and villages seems to be impossible. Even the capital cities don't get uninterrupted power supply. It is rational that all cities and villages may not get uninterrupted power supply. Power comes from burning of coal. Demand for power is more than the supply of coal to power plants. Coal is a non-renewable energy source and reserve of coal is not endless. So all villages or all homes in the country may not be lighted by burning of coal. Alternative source of energy like solar energy, bio-gas may be widely utilised alongwith electricity.  

Plastic bags should be banned

Plastic bags are very easy to use. But these are not environmental friendly. They are not bio-degradable. They remain as such for long time. These are very light and so move in the air and litter the surface. They choke the drainage system which causes unhygienic situation. The fertility of soil also decreases by their presence. Grazing animals swallow them and sometimes face risk of life.
However the most important implication of the widespread use of polythene bags and packs is that it snatches the  earnings of  poor people. Mostly women and children of poor families supplement their family earnings by making  bags and packets of paper or leaf. Before the use of polythene such materials were widely used. It was giving jobs to poor people. That situation should come again. Use of polythene bags should be banned by governmental efforts or court's intervention.    

Should IPL be banned?

Now IPL season 5 matches are underway. Many controversies have been erupted. There is betting, quarrel, immorality, match-fixing etc. Many people are of the view that such matches be banned. My view is that complete ban is not the solution. It should go on but with much restrictions. This season there are 9 teams but 76 matches shall be played over more than a month. By playing so many matches players may not be fit for playing for their countries. So number of matches be reduced drastically. Dancing of cheer girls be banned. Betting and match-fixing should be monitored.
   Good thing is that many young players get chance of playing in matches watched worldwide. They also earn hefty amounts. India is a vast country and only few players get chance for playing for the country and for earning hefty amounts. Other games like hockey and soccer should also be arranged similar to IPL matches.
         

Orissa handloom exhibition at London

Bayanika - a weavers' co-operative society of Odisha is going to hoist an exhibition at London. CM of Odisha shall inaugurate this. Items of cotton and silk shall be exhibited. Items from all parts of the state shall found place. However the point which appealed me most is that Chunris produced by tribal weavers of Koraput are already favourite of western people. Tribal people produce all kinds of handicrafts. In order to change the conditions of tribal people their handicrafts, their all agricultural and forest produce should be marketed both inside and outside of the country with utmost sincerity. When their economic conditions shall be changed, Maoists shall found it difficult to recruit tribal youth. Handicrafts not only can change the conditions of tribal people but all poor people of countryside.  

Fight against corruption is not enough

Now a movement has been started in India to fight against corruption by passing Jan Lokpal Bill. People are targetting politicians and bureaucrats. By passing Lokpal Bill corrution may be controlled. But this law alone cann't change the woes of people. People need work for earning livelihood.
We have learnt from history that industrialisation of England in 18th and 19th century perticularly in cotton textile industry ruined Indian people depended upon cotton handloom. Not only cotton industry but every cottage indstry or handicraft suffered. People were pushed to unemployment and poverty. Even after independence situation has not changed. British manufacturers were only replaced by Indian manufacturers. Poor people are moving across the country for employment. Some become bonded labourers. Women work as maids and men work as security guards in towns. After liberalisation in nineties industries by private sector are mushrooming everywhere. But local people seldom get large scale employment. Instead they suffer from pollution, land alienation and displacement.
So time has come when we have to make villages or panchayats self-sufficient economically. Products or handicrafts of poor people should be marketed and rich people should purchage them thinking it as national duty.

How to control Maoists

Maoists are active in tribal areas. They are taking advantage of their economic and social backwardness. So in order to control Maoists the economy of tribals should be strengthened. Not only the economy of tribals but economy of all poor people may be strengthened by marketing their agricultural and forest products as well as their handicrafts. Machine produts have taken away the jobs and income of poor people. For which they are lured by Maoists. The work of Govt should be to hold tribal exhibitions to popularise tribal proucts and to open shops for selling their products. Those who are economiclly well off should purchase their products thinking that it is their national duty.
Besides in tribal areas infrastructres should be built with the help of army. Education and health care of tribals should be given due importance.