Anupam- The Dreamer

The PM’s speech highlighting the importance of cutting down “unnecessary expenditure” to save the precious and limited forex reserves has garnered mixed reactions from different quarters. But, I would like to look at it from a positive point of view, as it is not only in the interest of the nation as a whole, but also it can benefit people at an individual level. So, it is a win-win for all in that sense.

Basically, the imploration was towards living a frugal lifestyle to cut down on “unnecessary expenditure” like fuel, vegetable oil, gold, foreign travel etc. To extend this further, the frugal lifestyle requires everyone to spend the money and resources, as per his/her need. For example, if you can save some fuel by running energy efficient appliances, or by saving electricity, or by cutting on some fuel by carpooling, or using public transport, then what is wrong in that? Infact, the planet Earth cannot sustain the lavish lifestyles of people, if everyone starts demanding similar amount of resources for his/her sustenance! So, it is in our own interest to cut down the expenditure on these things. But, in my opinion, it is a very parochial view if we just concentrate on save the money because not just it saves money at an individual level, but it also helps mother Earth to sustain itself for a longer time-period in a much more resilient manner. Saving our limited resources like crude oil, coal, electricity, food, etc. benefits not just the individual, but also the family, society, nation and the humanity at large!

But, there would be counter opinions that frugal lifestyle limits one’s own choices and more importantly “freedom to live in chosen way”. There cannot be a more flawed argument than this in my humble opinion because “freedom” goes alongwith the “duties” of a person towards the nation and towards the global community. If we want to enjoy “freedom” to do anything, then we must also adhere to some duties that implore us to become responsible national citizen as well as a responsible global citizen. For example, if you want freedom to travel more and use more resources, then you must atleast try to reduce your carbon footprint by planting more trees, or by trying to reduce waste, or by recycling your waste, or by using more of renewable energy. It is agreeable that many steps like installation of big solar power plants cannot be done at an individual level, but there are many things that can still be done comfortably at an individual level- the easiest of them is reducing wastage of anything- be it food, water, electricity or fuel.

And if we don’t care about reducing even the wastage, then we have no right to demand our freedoms. Because one day or the other, when the water will go over the head, the governments across the world would be “constrained” to take harsh measures in order to save themselves and to save the planet. And when the government will take such measures, the common citizen couldn’t even complain that their freedoms have been curtailed! There has to be a balance in everything you see. Even the fury of nature at times, in the form of climate disasters, could undo the decades of development, whether we like it or not.

Whenever I talk of “need-based frugal lifestyle”, I am reminded of what Gandhiji had warned us many years ago- “The nature has everything for everyone’s need, but not for anyone’s greed!” And if we are still greedy, then we have to pay the price, hands down!

But, the quintessential question is- Are we ready to pay that price????

Till next time…..