The Essence of Progress and Its Impact on Survival

The evolving nature of progress has led to a profound question: What exactly does progress signify in the modern world?

In the animal kingdom, progress is a species' ability to survive despite the challenges posed by nature. However, for modern humans, progress has shifted to focusing primarily on financial or economic terms. This shift has come at a significant cost to our long-term survival and that of future generations. Issues such as pollution, health hazards, and global warming reflect the dire consequences of our ambition for rapid economic growth at the expense of environmental sustainability.

The Urgency of Rethinking Progress

The reality is stark: despite our financial prosperity, during crises such as wars, pandemics, natural disasters, and even the current COVID-19 crisis, the majority of us have no practical means to sustain ourselves. Even a minimal survival plan, such as ensuring food availability, is almost impossible to execute within a week.

The real estate sector, a significant component of our economic balance sheets, often prioritizes speculative profits over practical needs. This exacerbates the issue, making housing costs skyrocket and leaving many citizens without secure living conditions. Even with advanced government initiatives, like Aadhar, systemic inefficiencies mean many citizens still lack direct support from the government.

Corporate Shortsightedness and Ethical Concerns

The economic growth witnessed by many countries over the past few decades has often been built on the backs of the common citizens. Recapitalizations of banking and NBFC sectors, meant to address bad loans and corporate scams, have transferred the burden to the masses. These investments, meant to benefit the economy, have instead become a form of unjust exploitation, as millions struggle to recover from financial losses.

On the issue of pollution, it is important to note that our citizens, especially those in regions like Delhi, bear the brunt of corporate pollution. Their health is compromised to fuel the financial efficiency and corporate greed. Similarly, water resources, which are crucial for survival, are increasingly privatized, making access to clean water a luxury rather than a basic necessity.

A Call for Ecosystemic Reallocation

The current economic and social system prioritizes market-driven values over intrinsic human values such as morality and ethics. In a world where pain and survival are commodified, the wealthy can afford to access these basic needs, while the rest of us struggle to secure our fundamental rights.

To address these issues, we need a paradigm shift. It is imperative to revisit the priorities of progress, ensuring that our pursuit of economic development does not come at the cost of the planet and the well-being of its inhabitants. Sustainable policies and ethical practices must be at the forefront of our economic strategies. Only then can we truly achieve progress that benefits everyone, not just a select few.

By refocusing on sustainability, human welfare, and ethical considerations, we can restore the balance and create a future where progress truly serves its purpose of enhancing not just economies, but the lives of all people.