PRLog (Press Release) –
After the Abhishek-Aishwariya marriage, the message of Prime Minister to Industrialists in CII conference to observe austerity and avoid display of wealth is very relevant. It is absolutely essential in a country where largest number of poor people in the world live and where the GDP growth has virtually divided into two sections: living in the metro cities and those who are in majority but in hinterland. Asking the industry not to indulge in high salary-perk syndrome to widen the gulf, the Prim Minister forgot about the Political leaders including the legislators who have five star living styles. And also a growing class of criminal-politicians as well as the members of executive or judiciary who are amassing wealth through prevailing large scale corruption.
The gossip in Delhi puts Rs one lack as the going price to have a cell phone in jail and other facilities being accordingly priced. Money buys anything and money flows in glittering malls or birthday- parties, marriages and any function you name it. Media and internet have now turned into best tools of democracy to voice the dissent and expose such acts. Unfortunately there too the malaise is spreading with lavish offers and advertisement budgets. Nevertheless vast majority of internet users have commented adversely to remind the Prime Minister to enforce some practical measures, instead of giving sermons, to check it in all spheres. The question is should the show of wealth be banned or the hiding of wealth which is already a crime be encouraged? I remember two decades back their was shame in such display and once a senior IAS officer confessed to me that though he has earned a lot of money yet he cannot put air conditioner in his house because it will come in the notice of agencies. Now no one bothers and nothing happens or if anything turns up it has a price.
There was everything wrong with Abhishek-Aishwarya marriage. It stank with hypocrisy of 'Simple and Private' affair with an eye on the media craze to cover it. Its pictures showed the jewels worth crores adorning everyone including Amitabh himself. The same stars who owed their fame to media suddenly turned media shy- obviously a ploy. Liz Hurley too made a big business by selling exclusive rights for media coverage but she did it openly without any qualms. For them it was a commercial venture. But why a lame excuse of sick mother was made to organize a lavish and sinister display of wealth in so called privacy which was bound to be exposed? We, however, need not single out one couple the celebration of Mayawati victory was no less. The argument however runs that they have the money and they have the right to spend it. This is quite logical and it is too much to expect people to respond to Prime Minister's suggestion to give it to society. There is rare example of people like Bill gates. The practical measure would be to frame a law to donate the amount equal to that which is spent on save more than 5lacs to the Prime Minister's relief fund without banning such display of wealth. The expenditure can be easily checked.
The bigger question is how to plug illegal wealth whereas legal wealth should be encouraged as it is bound to grow in the growing economy. The government should also give up sermonizing people to indulge in good behavior without doing its own duty. Take 'Chidambaram' appeal to cement manufacturers to cut the price. Does government not know that it should perform its functions and contain price rise and there cannot be voluntary control of prices? Morals preaching have become quite common but when it comes from the social reformers one can appreciate it but not from the government in poser who is expected to deliver and act instead of wishing people reforming themselves.
