What is prosperity? - Is it the quality of life or
the abundance of resources? We need to study
this very carefully. Everyone is eager to get
prosperous. They all want to walk the path
that leads to prosperity. In this race for riches
and prosperity, we see many who are tired
and lost. There are probably just a few who
seem to be happy. On digging deep, one reason
that surfaces is that probably the direction
chosen by many is not right. That is why after
trying so hard and accomplishing so much,
they are prone to depression and insomnia.
Whatever efforts they put in for gaining
prosperity and whatever they got was neither
good enough nor right. So, it might be
worthwhile to understand what it takes to be
happy and prosperous.
If we analyze the statistics that depict the
progress of the world, we will notice that
some progress has been achieved in the issues
of primary importance; for example, the infant
mortality rate is reduced, longevity is
increased, dangerous diseases are coming
under control and the literacy has been
increased. In spite of several periods of
economic slowdown, the average income of
the common man in many countries has
increased. Irrespective of this, there are two
big issues that have come up which are pushing
back these positive developments. The first
problem is a social one. Because of inequality,
tension and dissatisfaction at various levels,
these statistics of resources are not directly
translating into statistics of prosperity.
he second problem is related to environment.
Environmental deterioration has increased the
agony and difficulties at various levels. It is
predicted that the consequences are going to
get more and more dangerous in the coming
years. The question is whether we can come
up with a measuring rod not for average
income but for measuring the individual well-
being or prosperity of the world at large. Will
we be able to measure the actual progress
made? To solve this problem, Mr. Sarkozy, the
ex-president of France had formed an
international committee. Services of world
renowned economists like Amartya Sen and
Joseph Stiglitz were sought. However, no solution
that was acceptable to all was arrived at.
United Nations Development Program
published Human Development Index (HDI)
to be a medium through which societal
progress could be better understood. In the
initial years, it garnered quite some praise.
But as years rolled by, the discrepancies
loomed large. Those countries which were
affected by environmental degradation were
showed taking top positions in the chart based
on HDI. Those countries were in advanced
stages of social discord. Countries where the
suicide rates were alarmingly high or where
the families were disintegrating also figured
in top of the chart. It is true that when one is
in dire poor condition, more income
contributes to increased well-being. Once the
basic needs are fulfilled, then it is not
necessary that increased income leads to
greater well-being. In such situations, factors
other than per capita income play important
roles.
When British Social Science Research Council
conducted a survey, many such questions came
up. As part of this survey, in a span of 5 years
1500 ordinary citizens were asked to list out
the important factors that contributed to their
overall well-being and if they perceived that
their well-being was better than when they
took the survey previously. Just like other
Western countries, British society is also
considered to be materialistic. In spite of that,
more than 71% of the people concurred that
they do not consider that quality of life
improved proportionally with per capita
income. They accepted that increased income
levels and access to resources was not related
to leading a happy life. Most of the people
expressed that good family life and happiness
were more important than resources and
consumables.
The most important observation that has come
out as a result of this survey was that people
accepted that in the course of 5 years, their
income and affordability had increased but the
quality of their life and well-being was on the
decline. They also felt that the situation would
tend to get worse in the next five years.
Hence, instead of focusing on increasing their
possessions, one should give importance to
physical, emotional and spiritual well-being.
Happiness in life is very closely coupled with
our family and near and dear ones. If we do
not take care of these aspects, we are sure to
be less happy in spite of earning better.
It means that we should give importance to
noble tendencies and empathy. We should
ever be aware and alert not to cause grief or
pain to others. As much as possible, we should
be involved in serving and helping others.
These qualities and mindset should be seeded
from all quarters of society. Such thoughts
should be nurtured through family, society
and education system as well. Inculcating
these good qualities can serve as a strong
foundation for uprooting negative tendencies
like violence, hatred and discrimination from
the society. We should come out of the
narrow mindset of measuring happiness in
terms of nation’s per capita income and focus
on other important factors that contribute to
holistic well-being. Instead of asking about
nation’s GDP, we should ask if the nation and
the entire world is becoming a better place
to live.
In this expansive thinking, it is certainly
essential that the fundamental necessities of
life are fulfilled. It is the duty of the
government to see that basic needs of food,
clothing, house, education and health are
provided for, not just interim but in long-term.
This can happen only when materialistic
progress happens along with conservation of
environment. It is also important to have clean
water and air apart from having food and
house to stay in. This requirement is also
linked to the environment preservation. It is
also essential that we do everything possible
to control all the dangers associated with air
and water pollution and also conserve them
from further damage. All this can be
accomplished when people in the country and
world at large concentrate on these needs of
the society and allocate necessary resources.
At both national and global levels, it is essential
that we reduce the economic inequality. It is
pertinent for us to question how much of money
is being spent by governments for development,
arms and ammunition, urban and rural
development, essentials and non-essentials. The
progress of the world needs to be defined based
on the aspects like peace, environmental
protection, equality and cooperation. These
should also be considered as basic necessities of
life and the national governments and
international organizations should allocate
accordingly so that these are met.
We cannot accept a model in which progress
is defined by deserted villages and increase
in population of the cities. In addition to local
occupations in villages and towns, additional
occupational opportunities must be created in
varied fields so that farming continues
uninterruptedly along with developing other
trades in the villages.
By adopting
decentralization techniques, several creative
methods for rural development can be
enabled. We have to basically understand that
this Earth is not meant just for humans. We
should protect all those places that provide
refuge to other flora and fauna. Our thinking
should be such that we do not just focus on
the well-being of human types but that of equal
rights for all living beings. If everyone and
everything around us is prosperous, we will
automatically be happy and prosperous.
Happiness will proportionately increase when
we develop and imbibe more good qualities
and improve the quality of our life.
Write Your Comments Here: