Often referred to as one of those archaic statements of old, “Cut your coat according to your cloth” continues to be relevant in society. Admittedly, it comes as hindsight to most. The lures of a “better” life spurred by the glitz of advertising often blur better judgement.
Peer and family pressure, asking questions why the show off lifestyles of others can’t be emulated are difficult to ignore. The response of not having the means becomes lame and banal after a while.
Perhaps that’s why we have situations of men being abusive of women for not providing money to satiate addiction habits. That is also one of the main reasons behind the rise of illegal income through corruption, extortion, and downright theft whether it’s cleaning out banks or clearing out someone’s home.
Economically speaking, it’s the growing gap between earnings and expenditure that is to blame. Economically as relevant is not heeding the wisdom of the proverb mentioned at the beginning of this piece. Across the spectrum, with barely two months or so of a disruption to economic activities the media, social media, and the growing number on the streets would suggest that most have run out of money and food.
This includes the day labourer, the rickshaw-puller, the domestic help, the CNG drivers, and also includes the lower middle class.
The garments workers, salon workers, the barbers, staff in shops and restaurants, community centre employees, the list gets bigger. All have similar hurdles. House rent features top of the list, followed by lack of savings and the obvious need for the essentials of life.
The government has reached food aid to a fair proportion of society, targeting the most vulnerable. Cash support, however small has followed. It can never be enough in a vast population of a country with a fragile and limited economy.
Initially, a stirring of empathy spurred new and smaller organizations and individuals that came to the aid of those badly hit.
It provided succour but only for a while. Businesses, NGOs, religious groups, and charities have been obvious in their silence.
The sceptics, yes those views exist even in these terrible times, point to the numbers that have thronged markets around the country to shop for what can only be deemed as non-essential items.
The pictures of those streaming to their village homes over-spending travel budgets as they skirt efforts to prevent the exodus, don’t suggest want. Most are carrying bags of shopping the money for which hasn’t appeared by magic.
Even in the “restrictive holidays,” that some refer to as a lockdown all the evil aspects of the economy such as bribery, theft, misappropriation, extortion, gambling, drug peddling, and profit mongering to mention a few continue, if in somewhat changed formats.
The more obvious ones such as salaries and bonuses not paid on time make the headlines but they were there to begin with.
The victims maintained their silence in the hope of better days. The demand and supply theory has been thrown for a toss with the wrenching halt to the smooth functioning of the economy.
Most poverty alleviation programs based on production and consumption have left entrepreneurs laden with debt and staring at losses due to a breakdown of the supply chain operations.
The sight of chicks being culled, milk being poured on to streets, and vegetables rotting don’t inspire confidence of any sort. We wait for a full account of the losses.
Reverse migration from cities to rural areas is now a reality. People have lost, are losing and will lose their jobs and livelihoods putting pressure on the rural economy. If this brings back the focus on agriculture, previously thought of as a losing battle nothing could be better. Industrialization and the growth of the service industry are as required as agriculture as the experts will suggest.
But for all the hullabaloo, one crop failure brings us to our knees. The pandemic has brought us to our haunches and unless we scale down ambitious and expensive projects to address the inequality in society we cannot expect the individual to balance their needs.
Mahmudur Rahman is a writer, columnist, broadcaster, and communications specialist.
