The petrol and diesel prices have been on the increase in the last three months. But prices of natural rubber, black pepper, nutmeg and recently onions have been on a steady decline.
The agrarian crisis in rural India is unprecedented. There is colossal distress.
The market is controlled by those who are resourceful.
A farmer who produces banana from his field lost his 300 banana plants in the flood in August. The remaining two hundred plants were damaged by the strong wind last week. His investment of about 75000 rupees, all taken as bank loan, brings him no return during this season. He choked words when he spoke to me about this distress.
The story of the onion cultivators is even more devastating. With the price of onions dropping to about ten rupees in some places, the farmer does not get back what he invested!
I wonder whether I can trust what I see and hear each day. With about 70 people dying with a fast moving train, running over those who were watching a fireworks in Amristar, there is not even an expression of regret from the railways or the driver of the train. It is now three months since the devastating flood in Kerala. Except the 20000 rupees given to those affected by the flood, there is no further action to support people. The state government is engaged in a storm over the supreme court ruling permitting women to go to an important place of worship in south India.
I wish that political parties, civil organisations, churches, temples, mosques, etc. would become more socially committed. When would the distress of others touch us to give freely and fully whatever we can!
M.C.Mathew(text and photo)
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