Let us reduce conspicuous consumption
In our country, we have certain norms and customs that simply force us to spend much more than what is necessary, and most of this can be easily classified as conspicuous consumption. The very sad fact of life is that most of what is wasted, can be effectively used by millions of people.
For example, let us take the big issue of Indian weddings. Talk of inflation, talk of insecurity, talk of tough times -- but Indian weddings have not changed a bit. The lavish spread of food on plates or on banana leaves, is something that we all need to be ashamed about.
The amount of food that is ridiculously wasted can feed at least five hundred people, and this is the food that is wasted from one single marriage hall. On a very auspicious day, when hundreds of weddings are held at different places, one can imagine what will be the net wastage.
Secondly, even in the same wedding, the amount that is spent on decoration and on jewels is just mind boggling. Why should we spend such huge amounts on weddings is never answered, or even though of, much less debated.
Worse, the dowry menace is still on. In most weddings what is given as "gifts" by the poor man -- the father of the bride is on display, as if it is for the public to understand how rich he is, or what sort of security he is giving to his daughter. The bridegroom, even if he is educated and well settled, does not bother, as the keys to the marriage are not held by him, but by his parents.
This is absolutely shocking, in a country, where millions do not have the bare minimum to eat or survive. The worst part of the whole thing, is that if a small fraction is what is spent on weddings is given to the poor, the world will be a far better place for the poor, to live in.+
There is more in society, and this is absolutely criminal. Most State Governments treat public money, as if it is their personal property. For a single visit of the absolutely corrupted Jayalalitha, the imperious Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, the poor citizens of the State, end up spending at least five lakh rupees. Apart from the security, what is given as food and as gifts by party men, is all that is looted from the public in every scheme. What the people do have is misery of the tallest order.
It is not that Tamil Nadu is alone. The most corrupted politicians indulge in conspicuous consumption of the worst kind. At times, the weddings or social gatherings of the political bosses get commented on the social media, but that is quietly forgotten as well.
Thirdly, it is rather sad that in the name of God, several stupid practices add to conspicuous consumption. In Tamil Nadu, come summer, and in every "mariamman" temple ( that are thousands in the State), there is an absolutely cruel practice of animal sacrifice. At one single time, and within a time span of half an hour, some one thousand goats and sheep and chicken are butchered with violence of the tallest order.
Minutes later, there is a mad rush to collect the meat that is happily consumed by thousands of people. This is conspicuous consumption at its worst, as it only reinforces the belief that cruelty to animals is fine, and that it is a way of life. No wonder, the Brahmins and other total vegetarians of the State hate these practices and at times, a few harsh articles have appeared in the press. But this is about all. Nothing happens, and the people keep doing whatever they want, all in the name of God.
One is told that there are similar practices in States like Andhra Pradesh, but Tamil Nadu must be the worst in terms of animal sacrifice, in the name of God. The main problem is that the State is home to at least two thousand such temples. So, we can easily imagine the waste that goes on, in the guise of worship to God.
Films also add to the already bad situation, as conspicuous consumption is often sought to be glorified in movies. Worse, the hero is shown as the absolute answer for all social ills, with a larger-than-life image. Rajnikant is one hero who is guilty of such an image trap. The conspicuous consumption that goes along with the making of such blockbuster films can easily be imagined.
Rajnikant does some charity, but it is peanuts when compared with the likes of MGR, who was the first hero to practice what he preached in or through his movies. However, by no stretch of imagination can it be denied that Rajnikant, is a willing party to conspicuous consumption of the worst kind.
In the name of development, there is another form of conspicuous consumption. The new capital of Andhra Pradesh is now coming up on acres of most fertile land. This is simply atrocious. The Chief Minister has justified his stand, even in the face of massive opposition from farmers. Our great Prime Minister, Mr Modi, has simply played ball, without questioning the stupidity of the move to bring up a Capital city in the most fertile area of Andhra Pradesh, right on the banks of the prestigious Krishna river.
Eating of junk food by hundreds of thousands of IT professionals, is another form of conspicuous consumption. This is a very dangerous and a very unhealthy trend. Some fifteen years ago, no one would have thought that KFC and Domino Pizza would become so famous in Chennai. Unfortunately, they sit pretty and are doing roaring business in every single locality of Chennai, where the likes of Saravana Bhavan, offer the best food in terms of quality vegetarian food.
Most importantly, eating of junk food is so unhealthy, and since they lack time, the IT professionals do not mind eating such food -- with disastrous consequences. In fact, most heart attacks are a result of this horrible conspicuous consumption.
Yes, there is an urgent need to stop or at least, minimize the conspicuous consumption at various levels. Only concerted action and communication, can help in both the short term, and the long term.
The time to act is now -- it is now or never.
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