Past few days browsing through news in the morning you would wonder on the question what ‘progress’ means? One may get amazed at the daily happenings in India, as they contrast each other on this issue.

On one hand the headlines read about the inauguration of Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas, PM confident on achieving 9 to 10% GDP growth rate, India to test new long-range ballistic missile in 2009, $500 million investment by Ford in India, Reliance going global, Sensex touches an all time high of 21,100 mark, Tata group to launch world’s cheapest car, which makes us proud and hopeful of India’s progress.

On the other hand there are reports of molestation, rape and murder, loop holes in dowry laws aids women in harassment of in-laws, highly increasing rate of divorce cases being filed, suicide due to marital discord, murder or schoolmates for revenge etc. which will compel you be shameful and question the security and moral fiber of our society.

One may wonder if this is the consequence of economic growth and prosperity? Is this the cost, society is paying for all the technological and financial growth of the country?

Just take one instance; there has been a disturbing news today that 6 to 7 divorce cases are being filed in Pune courts everyday. The common attributes of all of these cases are: couples are in the age group of 25 to 35 years, both are highly educated and are working professionals, they have completed only 2 or 3 years of their marital life. Half of the times it’s a mutual decision to cut off the nuptial cord. Counseling rarely helps in all these cases.

It’s a rude and gory picture, though the reasons behind it are many.

There is family interference in couple’s day to day life. Couples discuss and share their problems with their respective families instead of their spouses. All this creates a lot of misunderstanding. In some cases there is violence and cruelty too.

There is a lot of attitude in young people today, generating from their professional life and they are not ready to compromise.

Enormous work pressure keeps them occupied most of the time. As a result they are unable to give enough time to each other and their relationship. Also they don’t share a comfort zone and this creates a lot of communication gap.

Individual professional goals and requirements are placed on the highest priority and this effects the family harmony.

Women are financially and emotionally independent and they don’t attach any stigma to the concept of divorce. Even society has started accepting it very normally. In absence of any social pressure, the decision to part becomes easier.

At the root of all these reasons lies the economic prosperity. Why can’t this generation balance financial freedom and family responsibilities at the same time? Does education do nothing to strengthen and aware the person of his/ her moral and social responsibilities? Why are we producing only skilled labors and not dependable citizens?

Growth and prosperity should not just be mapped by GDP or Sensex or Forex, the social traits and strength are what that defines stability in a long run. In true terms, growth should witness these two complimenting each other and not hampering the other for one’s growth.

Via: Times Of India