Baba
Coronavirus & Prout
Note: In this creation of Parama Purusa, there is always the presence of good and bad, side by side. Although there is a lot of suffering these days with the coronavirus, there is also some benefit: the development of the local economy. And that is what is presented below.
Namaskar,
With the pandemic of the coronavirus, there are going to be some dramatic ramifications that will help boost society forward.
Benefit #1: Local economy
From the end of WWII up till today, most of the nations have been racing towards a global economy. That means each country no longer produces its own goods, but rather seeks out other places to produce things as cheaply as possible. For instance, the US used to manufacture most of its own goods, including medical supplies. Then US companies began shifting production and outsourcing their manufacturing overseas: first to Japan -> then to Hong Kong -> and more recently to mainland China etc.
And now with the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, the US and other industrialized countries are finding that they lack many of the supplies they need: face masks, gowns, ventilators, and test kits etc. And those overseas manufacturers are no longer willing to supply them with those products, because those same products are needed in their own country. That is the stark reality many nations are facing today.
To avoid shortages and supply chain issues in the future, in the wake of the coronavirus there will be a shift: countries will move towards a local economy or decentralized economy. Because this is the only way they can ensure they will have the products they need in their most dire hour.
Prout philosophy states, “In a decentralized economy the commodities produced by a socio-economic unit will be sold in the local market itself. As a result, there will be no uncertainty in the local economy or the economic life of the local population.” (1)
The shift back towards the development of a local economy is wholly in line with Prout principles.
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Benefit #2: Liveable homelands
One other outcome of the coronavirus will be strict limitations of travel and mass migration. In the past two decades, there have been numerous mass migrations that have wholly changed the distribution of the world’s population. Most often, people were trying to escape terror in their homeland and / or seeking financial gain in a new place. So the migration has primarily been due to serious pressure of circumstance, as most prefer to remain and live in their own homeland. If restrictions are placed on travel, there will be more of a concerted effort placed on making those homelands more liveable for the local inhabitants. And that is part and parcel of our Prout policy.
Prout philosophy states, “All regions will get ample scope to develop their economic potentiality, so the problems of a floating population or overcrowding in urban centres will not be allowed to arise.” (2)
Conclusion
Although the coronavirus is at present ravaging the globe leading to the loss of life and a severe economic downturn, the response will lead to the implementation of some key principles of Prout with the emphasis on (a) a decentralized economy and (b) addressing the issues that have caused human groups to migrate on a mass level.
In Him,
Alok
How a local economy works
Here below are Shrii Prabhat Ranjan Sarkar’s chief guidelines about a local economy - what it means and how to achieve it. The following is an excerpt from the Prout discourse: "Decentralized Economy – 1".
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Principles of Decentralized Economy
"The first principle of decentralized economy is that all the resources in a socio-economic unit should be controlled by the local people. In particular, the resources which are required to produce the minimum requirements must be in local hands, and all the industries based on these resources will have to be controlled entirely by the local people. Local raw materials must be fully utilized to produce all kinds of commodities necessary for the economic development of a socio-economic unit.
Local people are those who have merged their individual socio-economic interests with the socio-economic interests of the socio-economic unit they live in. Clearly, this concept of local people has nothing to do with physical complexion, race, caste, creed, language or birth place. The fundamental issue is whether or not each person or family has identified their individual socio-economic interests with the collective interests of the concerned socio-economic unit. Those who have not done so should be branded as outsiders.
No outsider should be allowed to interfere in local economic affairs or in the system of production and distribution, otherwise a floating population will develop, causing the outflow of economic wealth from the local area. If this occurs the area will become vulnerable to outside economic exploitation and decentralized economy will be undermined.
The surplus wealth, after meeting the minimum requirements of the people in the local area, should be distributed among the meritorious people according to the degree of their merit. For example, doctors, engineers, scientists and other capable people engaged in various activities require extra amenities so that they can perform greater service to society. While a common person may require a bicycle, a doctor may require a car. But there must also be provision in the economy for reducing the gap between the minimum requirements of all and the amenities of meritorious people. To increase the standard of living of common people, they may be provided with scooters instead of bicycles. Although there is some difference between a scooter and a car, the gap that existed between a car and a bicycle has been partially reduced. The economic gap between common people and meritorious people should be reduced as much as possible, and ceaseless efforts must be made in this regard, but this gap will never vanish altogether. If the gap increases, the common people will be deprived and exploitation will re-emerge in society in the guise of amenities. Decentralized economy leaves no such loophole because on the one hand the standard of the minimum requirements must be increased, and on the other hand the provision of amenities will be assessed from the viewpoint of the collective welfare.
The second principle of decentralized economy is that production should be based on consumption, not profit. Most countries in the world have adopted economic systems which are profit oriented – that is, production is undertaken for profit. Producers give first preference to those items which bring maximum profit, so everywhere there is keen competition regarding the production of the most profitable goods. India is no exception. To increase the standard of living of the people, a new system of production will have to be introduced. Consumption, not profit, should be the underlying motive in the field of production.
In a decentralized economy the commodities produced by a socio-economic unit will be sold in the local market itself. As a result, there will be no uncertainty in the local economy or the economic life of the local population. In addition, money will be circulated within the local market so there will be no outflow of local capital. The possibility of an economic catastrophe in the local economy will be largely eliminated. In such a system, people’s income will have an upward trend and their purchasing capacity will continuously increase. No economic system in the world has been able to continuously increase the purchasing capacity of the people, because economic power is concentrated in the hands of a few.
The third principle of decentralized economy is that production and distribution should be organized through cooperatives. One of the principal reasons for the past failure of the cooperative movement is economic centralization. It is extremely difficult for cooperatives to succeed in an economic environment of exploitation, corruption and materialism, so people cannot accept the cooperative system wholeheartedly. Cooperatives are forced to compete with the monopoly capitalists for local markets, and the rights of the local people over their raw materials are not recognized. Such circumstances have undermined the success of the cooperative movement in many countries of the world.
On the other hand, decentralized economy is one of the principal reasons for the success of the cooperative system. The availability of local raw materials will guarantee constant supplies to cooperative enterprises, and cooperatively produced goods can be easily sold in the local market. Economic certainty will create increasing interest and involvement among the cooperative members, and as the local people will be confident of their economic security, they can wholeheartedly accept the cooperative system.
As far as possible, agriculture, industry and trade should be managed through cooperatives. In these sectors of the economy private ownership should be abolished in stages. Only where production cannot be undertaken by cooperatives because of the complex nature or small scale of operations should it be undertaken by private enterprises. The distribution of commodities should be done through consumers cooperatives. Adequate safeguards for cooperatives will also have to be arranged.
The cooperative system is a must, and it is only possible through decentralized economy. The cooperative system and decentralized economy are inseparable.
The fourth principle of decentralized economy is that the local people must be employed in local economic enterprises. Unless the local people are fully employed in the local economy, unemployment can never be solved. Local people should determine the quantum of minimum requirements and the basic policies connected with their own economic well-being. If this principle is followed the problem of outside interference in the local economy will not arise at all.
Cooperatives will provide employment for local people, and also ensure that the skills and expertise of the local people are fully utilized. Educated people should also be employed in cooperatives so that they do not leave the local area in search of employment or move from the countryside to the cities.
For the development of agriculture there is a great need for specialists and technicians, so cooperatives will have to train unskilled rural people so that they can acquire the necessary skills to develop the agricultural sector. In addition, all types of agro-industries and agrico-industries will have to be developed according to the needs and resources of the local area, and these industries should be managed as cooperatives.
The fifth principle of decentralized economy is that commodities which are not locally produced should be removed from the local markets. As decentralized economy aims to develop local industries and create employment for the local population, those commodities which are not produced within the local area should be banished from the local market as far as possible. It is essential that the local population utilize the commodities produced in their own area to ensure the prosperity of the local economy. Initially, local commodities may be inferior, more costly or less readily available than outside commodities, yet in spite of this, locally produced commodities should still be used by the local people. If local commodities do not meet the needs and aspirations of the people, immediate steps must be taken to increase the quality, reduce the price and increase the supply of local goods, otherwise illegal imports will be encouraged.
In a decentralized economy, the application of this principle is very important. If it is neglected, the local industries will gradually close down, local markets will go out of the hands of the local people and unemployment will increase. Once locally produced goods are accepted in principle, not only will local industries survive, but with their further development the local economy will thrive. The outflow of capital from the local area will be checked, and because it will remain in the local area, it will be utilized to increase production and enhance the prosperity of the local people. With the increasing demand for local commodities, large-scale, medium-scale and small-scale industries will all flourish." (3)
References
1. Prout in a Nutshell - 21, Decentralized Economy – 1
2. Prout in a Nutshell - 21, Economic Democracy
3. Prout in a Nutshell - 21, Decentralized Economy – 1
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The below sections are entirely different topics, unrelated to the above material.
They stand on their own as points of interest.
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== Section 2: Prabhat Samgiita ==
You are with me in an invisible way
“E kii praheliká e kii kuheliká káche káche ácho dhará náhi diyecho..." (Prabhat Samgiita #1769)
Purport:
Parama Purusa, what a magnificent cosmic liila You are making. How it is shrouded in this mysterious fog. I know that You are everywhere, but even then my heart is dry. I am surrounded with frustration, by this haze of hopelessness. Certainly, You are remaining with me in Your invisible way, but at present I am unable to feel You. Even then, by Your grace, this much I do know: You love me, though sometimes it is a fleeting feeling in my heart.
Baba, Your exquisite refulgence is gone in oblivion. The resonating melody of the viina has lost its melody, and now it is filled with the tears. Please come in my life and remove all my bondages, blackness, impurities, and dogma, whatever other defects I have.
Baba, I love You and this much I also know: You love me. Please look towards me - I have offered my heart and my everything at Your lotus feet. Baba, please come in my core, in the hub of my mental lotus, with Your sweet smile...
== Section 3: Important Teaching ==
Mounting suspicion
Namaskar,
Here is one teaching from Baba that is highly related with present-day humanity. The following is an English summary of Baba’s original Hindi teaching.
Give each person an aeroplane – very good. "I shall make efforts for each person to have an aeroplane." Happiness in collective life is very good, but in personal life there should be sacrifice. If there is no sacrifice in personal life, there can never be joy and happiness in collective life. If one person possesses one crore (10 million) rupees and others do not have even sattu (*) there can never be universal well-being in that society or country. One should renounce all luxuries in personal life - all should live happily together. All are the children of the Supreme Father, all should live happily. (1) (English summary)(*) Sattu: Flour made from roasted gram (also called chickpea or garbanzo) or sometimes roasted barley or maize (corn).
Why people have lost trust in one another
In His above guideline, Baba is teaching us that wherever there is (a) a great disparity of wealth, (b) economic exploitation, (c) the huge gap between haves and have-nots, and (d) the gross gulf between those in rolling in luxury while others scrounge to get a morsel of food, there will never be peace and harmony in society. Rather there will be rampant thievery, robberies, and a high crime rate.
Nowadays, in this era of extreme capitalism, security has increased multifold because people have lost trust in one another. There are cameras and surveillance systems on every corner, the police force has become huge, border agents secure all national boundaries, passports and identification are needed to go from place to place, and verily security has been heightened in all levels of society. There is always a camera watching what you are doing. In short, there is a blatant lack of trust in all directions. Everyone thinks the next person may harm or steal from them.
In the past, perhaps 40 - 60 years ago, such steps were not necessary. Because in those days, the wealth disparity was not so huge. But now when people think money and material wealth are everything, then they will do anything to accrue more wealth. That brings widespread distrust. What to think of the rich not trusting the poor, people do not trust their neighbors, and parents do not trust their children. Because when material wealth itself is finite and limited, then people become suspicious and fearful: They think that if they do not grab the wealth then someone else will. In this materialistic era, all other human values have become lost; they are but a distant memory. Money reigns supreme.
Conclusion
In such a condition where a privileged few hoard most of the wealth, and money is looked upon as everything, there can never be peace, safety, and security in society. Social harmony and happiness only come when importance is given to human cardinal values - and only when the rich renounce their wealth and live alongside the common people. Only when there is a rational distribution of wealth and the principles of Prout are in place will we have a true human society where all live cooperatively as children of the Supreme Father.
Namaskar,
In Him,
Nu’tan
References
1. Summary of Hindi Discourse: Swastika Jhanda
== Section 4: Links ==
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