Smile that you are a citizen of inflationary India

When some family members flew in from a neighbouring country, the first question was about the gifts that needed to greet them. The suggestions that came by reflected the fast changing economic and social situation in India, a matter of concern to many like us. One of the relatives suggested we should buy them someatta packs, others said pulses would be a good idea. Some others felt a kg ofShimla mirch would be cool considering their high price tag.

But whatever happened to gift items like almonds, cashew nuts and the like, wondered the sane section. Well, the argument was, if a kg of garlic can cost as much as a kg of almonds why not go for something that the visiting family would use more? It sounded outrageous at first but come to think of it, why not? Considering that prices have touched an all-time high, and traditional items like gold jewellery has become almost like gifting property in a metro, grocery is good enough for the wrapping paper.

The comparison is stunning really! A kg of bell peppers equals a kg of apple in prices today. Pulses have become like precious gemstones. Just a few years ago, sugar was being sold at Rs18 a kg. Today, a good grainy variety comes for nothing less than Rs75 plus a kg, going up to Rs90 a kg for the sturdier variety. In this context, the age old rural more of gifting sugar to birthday boy/girl instead of clothes, may well arrive in urban households which are increasingly earning much less than their daily spends on essentials.

Be it fuel, where the Government and the oil companies have tied up in blatantly fooling the common man by first hiking the price by around Rs4 and then proposing to reduce it by Rs 2. The purpose is achieved and at the cost of the public. The ploy is not new or novel. Governments all across the world have regularly done this to achieve their economy target. In the case of petrol, for example, the real hike requirement would have been only Rs 2. But had the Government allowed only a hike of Rs 2, it would have still faced public pressure and would have had to reduce it by half, i.e. to Rs 1. The loss would have been in power portals and not in public pocket then. The ploy has been used so many times down the years that it is almost stunning that it is still being perceived as a ruse by the Government which has become much like anti-Christ in its apathy to goodness for its subjects.

But that’s another matter altogether, and as my visiting family member pointed out calmly, “you guys are much better off.” According to her, while we can get a net connect by paying just Rs 1,500 and walking away with an anytime, anywhere portable device of connectivity, she had to pay Rs 25,000 for a net connection at home — that too dial up broadband as there is not much progress in wireless installations like wi-fi and data ports.

That’s just one example. There are many others that will stun you into feeling good about the killing inflation around you. Medical assistance is apparently much more accessible and affordable to us that to our neighbours. Sounds too crazy but is said to be true. Good doctors are a far cry in our neighbouring nations, and affordability even more so. That’s just about healthcare. Even luxuries come at a 10 times more price. Well, to start with, our petite little Nano sells for around Rs 8 lakh outside of India. In Delhi, one can now drive away with a brand new version by paying merely Rs 15,000 and a five-year EMI of Rs 3,000 a month!

Infrastructure is another issue. Delhi roads — after rains — are like heaven as compared to roads in corresponding capitals. That sounds true, because roads outside of Delhi even in India are a nightmare — the potholes are bigger, deeper and potently more dangerous — if that is there is a continuous stretch of tar under your feet. And, returning to family, by the time she finished telling us more about a certain kingdom of yore that she has been posted in, it seemed we Indians are citizens of a superpower nation. And, as someone pointed out, one has to pay to be in a developed (read emerging) world. So you can buy garlic or almond, it’s your choice. Only, don’t crib about it because, well, garlic is equally healthy if not more! And as the Indian public hones the art of taking everything negative in a positive light, the Government will do what it takes to make life uncomfortable, unaffordable and generally incomprehensible too!

Source: The Sunday Pioneer, November 20, 2011