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.
The 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.
Akhand Jyoti Magazine 2016 Mar-Apr
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