The Economy of Permanence: A Quest for a Social Order Based on Non-violence (स्थायी अर्थतन्त्र)

Economy of Permanence
the Dewan patronized spring mattresses made in Britain and included them in
his 'Standard of Living'.
Similarly also the Dewan's dhoti and other clothing, being of fine Khadi, made
to order, will encourage local spinners and weavers and afford them full scope
for development.
In such a manner, everyone of our requirements should be so linked up with
local production and the life of the people around us as to form a solid well-
knit economy. Only then will it lead to permanence, as it will promote healthy
growth without destruction by violence.
Frequently, the standard of life is described in terms of money and materials
without any reference to the lives of those around us. Such standards are
artificial and so are unstable and being superimposed and superficial will not be
permanent having no root in the very life of the people. The British gardener's
standard of life is laid out in that fashion. Such lead to regimentation and
standardization which are soul-killing.
There is no need thus to determine all the details that go to make life. What
we need to do is to take care of the minimum that is essential, and direct the
productivity of the people by conditioning their environments and making raw
materials etc. available to them, and then safely leave the rest to their
initiative and their ingenuity without further interference. Just as, if we want
to raise the level of water in a tank, all we need to do is to increase the
quantity of water in the tank. The level will rise of its own accord in obedience
to nature's laws without any further aid from us.
If people in our country are starving or going about ill-clad, they are neither
sliming for a beauty contest nor are they following the cult of the nude! They
know how and what to eat and what to put on. What is needed is not a
schedule but the goods-articles of food and clothing. We have to take steps to
make it possible to produce these in needed quantities.
If we increase productivity of the masses and direct consumption, so as to
afford a ready local market, the standard of living of the people will
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