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

Economy of Permanence
with the consequence that they were comparatively expensive. These gradually
fell out of use-yielding place to mill-made rugs.
Once a worker of the Charkha Sangh found some poor labourers breaking stones
for road making. On enquiry he discovered these were skilled weavers of this
type of rugs who were specialists in that particular department of the art.
When their product was dislodged they lost their occupation and the world of
art the use of their trained faculties.
By the shifting of the emphasis from work to the product, skilled workmen are
reduced to stone breakers. Is this an economic and natural utilization of human
faculties? Such is the degradation of work caused by the money wage system
ignoring the function of work.
Importation of manufactured wares have deprived artisans of the benefit of
ennobling work. Earlier we noticed how independent farmers in England were
converted into subservient 'hands' in British Factories. The imports of the
products of such factories have driven human beings in our country to compete
with dumb animals for a livelihood. In most cities it is a common sight to see
man taking the place of bullocks and horses in drawing carts and rickshaws.
This is the counterpart of the 'Labour Saving Devices' in the industrialized
countries. It may save labour in England, but drives men in India to desperation
to find the where-withal to keep body and soul together. What may cause
plenty *n one sphere should not create scarcity in another, if it lays claim to
solve problems without bringing in its wake a crop of fresh difficulties. Is it
progress to reduce a skilled artisan into a stone-breaker or a rickshaw puller,
and thus make them compete for the fodder of animals?
We have restore work to its pristine glory as the moulder of character and the
developer of the best in human faculties. This can be done only by releasing
work from its fetters and allowing it free scope to function naturally.
Man needs the fire of work to let him glow with the radiance of life. Proper
work will radiate warmth, not only to the actual worker, but to all those
around. When a devoted mother works hard for her children not only does she
find her own happiness in it but the whole household comes under effect of her
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