And for a Friday …… of a New Year as per Hindu calendar from Kathmandu to Trivandrum & Kolkatta to Punjab…..some thoughts … some musings……..
The ongoing Iran -US-Israel war has cast its shadows across celebrations all over the world …. geopolitical tensions…… uncertainties of international travel …. sudden spurt in prices for sparsely available travel tickets have all added to the concerns ….. but still not fully dampened many families across the country in celebrating…….. Vishu in Kerala …. Nobo Barsho in Bengal …Pohla Baishakh ….. all the traditional way with families getting together …. special meals …..festive moods … most Indian festivities are strong in family bondings ….. meeting relatives & friends …. physically taking the blessings of seniors in the family …..on Vishu day in Kerala every family Karta after the Pooja gives each family member “ Vishu Kanni” ……gift in Coins …. Cash or symbolic …… the fun of enjoying quality time together with family …….alas ……..with urbanisation …. Westernisation & travel logistics progressively such physical Family Gettogethers are fast forwarded into “What’s up “ Phone calls ………not many have the time or the inclination ……
In Middle class India ….Boomers generation… now in their 60 ies & 70ies were tradition bound … had struggled in socialist India with low salaries …. fewer luxuries …. but a sense of accomplishment & satisfaction secure in creating stable families …… the Millineals …. between 35 & 55 had the benefit of liberalisation ….. fruits of economic growth ….choices …. coped with stresses of education & competition in jobs …. their salaries & remuneration substantially increased ….:& now ….the GenZ …. In their late teens & early twenties ……understandably different …… mostly single child to parents or at most one more sibling ….this generation is fiercely independent ……”Smart -phones“ …..”Social -Media” Influencers & influenced …… casual approach to work …. Supremely confident ……indifferent to the idea of marriage ….. & challengers to existing social, economic & cultural conventions ….. the coming decade will define their future …….given the breakdown of the old world order & the beginnings of a Multipolar volatile world order ……
For India….. Hypergrowth as per Chinese model is as inappropriate as De-Growth of some western economies ….. let us all support the Middle path of Inclusive ….steady growth ….. the sustainable way … the cooperative way …. the SEEGOS way.