Growning inflation... recession... economic slowdown... credit crunch...
We are all aware of these headlines. The world economy seems to be melting and the rising oil and food prices are not helping.
Today I was watching Madam Sonia Gandhi addressing the masses (in Hindi no less!).
She was explaining how international economic meltdown is driving the inflation up. She went on to state how the government had tried to absorb the impact and is protecting the common man.
A funny thought came to my head as I was watching her speak. I thought that how come people listening to her speech manage to keep a straight and serious expression when her Hindi pronunciation is so funny. It is like watching a tourist talking in Hindi.
Seeing the other people on the stage with such serious expression made me realise that fear and power work well to kill laughter.
It was also amazing to see India's politicians working overtime to save their asses especially since the general elections are coming up next year (2009). Trying to explain to the people why things are getting expensive and how it is not the fault of the Government.
Maybe she should have given the people a presentation on international financial markets and macroeconomics to drive home her point that IT IS NOT the Government's fault!
Adding to this the looming threat of BJP (which seems to be back with a bang - without a leader!). BJP has won in the recent elections in South India.
Congress (which currently controls the Central Government) is worried.
I think the Government is responsible. The main reason is corruption and re-routing of funds meant for development. They make the classic mistake of treating the symptoms and ignoring the disease. Wiping away farmer loans but not doing anything to bring development to the villages.
And so are we.
We operate more on opinion than information. The Indian public looks at the local picture and ignores what is happening in the world. We have been complaining about the infrastructure ever since I can remember. But nothing has happened yet. Why? Because we don't educate ourselves.
We go out and drive like idiots. Spit/throw garbage on the roads. Have about zero patience and of course want to get our work done first!
Maybe there is a need to educate the masses. Educate them in macro-economics as well as civic sense.
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