Losing Ourselves #India

Mahatma Gandhi, once visualized that the biggest weapon to dethrone the British was to avoid trading with them and buying Indian made products. He felt that a Nation can be broken into pieces by adopting a strict trading methodology. Most of the freedom fighters believed in his vision and used products manufactured by Indians.

That Philosophy stands even today with the US imposing strict trade curbs on countries like Iran, China, North Korea, and Russia. From imposing trading sanctions to letting increase in the Oil supplies, to destabilize few economies, the US has started to feel the necessity to utilize its own natural resources. The US still stands to be a major exporter with almost half of the world’s innovations coming from them.

The roots are with them and it is their ideas that trigger the business and the global markets. They make use of the less labor costs in India and China and expand their business. Of late, the Europe has been a mere puppet with following the rules imposed by the US.

Countries like Greece, Spain, Italy, and even to a certain extent, England as well is not doing economically good.  The talks of several European countries to exit the EURO zone has fears loomed globally and the stock markets has been affected at large due to that.

Countries like China are doing good in Manufacturing and Production. Their wages are good over an average Indian. Lots of foreign investments are pouring into China which has almost same density of working population as India has. They are the largest exporter to the US. They spend in abundance in the Science, Technology, Space, Medical, and Defense sectors.

However, India is still under pressure from global changes. The US, China, and Russia are strong despite increase in crude oil prices. But, we have already revised our Petrol/Diesel prices almost every day this week. We are not able to maintain a cordial relationship with the Gulf countries.

The Inflation fears loom large, talks of increase in interest rates have already begun which will take the basic food, medical, infrastructure and almost all sectors’ prices up above the roof. The country will be devastated with the Rupee flowing down southwards. Stock markets will take a big blow.

After all, due to globalization and our obsession of the western fashion and culture, we have started to absorb too many foreign products. Nowadays we can see large number of foreign retail shops more than our home-based shops. Whether the foreign brands have been able to offer great quality is secondary, however the fact is that we have already lost the battle. Imports have gone up widening the fiscal deficit and the country is in a severe threat.

Although many can advise to buy Indian made products, we are still taken over by the western brands. They are doing good business in India considering that we have the potential upside in this retail sector. Consumer spending has been on the up and the foreign nations are making the best use of it. The Walmart-Flipkart deal is one example.

We might be obsessed with the quality of the foreign brands, but it is high time we preserve the identity of this country and not lose ourselves into foreign hands. We must buy from local/roadside shopkeepers, improve localized business, try to get similar Indian manufactured brands or even – take a walk, Switch the Air Conditioner off - to cut down on Oil and Electricity.

It is high time for us to get back to the olden days, help our fellow men and the country. Although it is not possible to completely eradicate foreign retail business which will take off employment as well care should be taken in choosing. With the country, not able to control Inflation and feels shaky with global volatility, it is in our hands to maintain a healthy fiscal deficit.

Productivity, Manufacturing, Science, Education, Retail, Space, Defense, Sports, Media, Medical, Business – We have lost almost everything to foreign nations. It’s not wrong to inherit the technological innovations from other countries to benefit our people. However, there must be some areas where we must preserve our identity. Our culture, Astrology, depth in Science, and Heritage have stood the test of times and perhaps the oldest. We must make progress while maintaining our integrity.

When the British left us, they opined that we have good knowledge and wealth in the country, but our obsession towards their fashion would make us again captive. Slowly that’s what is happening. We are left mere consumers of their creations. True Indians would pray that that day should never come – when we stop respecting our own National Anthem but stand for UEFA Champions League Anthem.