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

Economy of Permanence
people will be not only an education in public affairs to the people, but will
also form a model to work upon for the Government and prepare the way to
realise in full measure the fruits of Swaraj of the proper type for the masses.
PLEDGE FOR MEMBERS OF THE LOK SEVAK SANGH

1. Having read the Constitution and Rules of the Lok Sevak Sangh, I offer to be
   a Member thereof, and God helping, promise to devote the best part of my
   energy and talents to the furtherance of its object which is the relief and
   service of the poor in the villages.
2. To the best of my ability I shall try to live up to the ideals of the Sangh.
3. In the discharge of my duties I shall seek the assistance and co-operation of
   all those who may be willing to give them, irrespective of differences in
   politics.
4. I will not take part in politics unless it be as directed or required by the Lok
   Sevak Sangh. If ordered to seek election to any of the Legislatures, I will live on
   such amount as is allowed by the Lok Sevak Sangh to its workers and turn in the
   excess, if any, to the Lok Sevak Sangh.
5. I will always wear only Khadi, made from self-spun yarn, or certified by the
   All India Spinners' Association and shall prefer the village manufactures to any
   other. I shall abstain from all alcoholic drinks. I abjure untouchability in any
   shape or form in my own person and in my family. I believe in inter-communal
   unity. I respect and hold in regard all religions. I subscribe to the equality of
   opportunity and status being extended to all irrespective of race, creed or sex.
   Signature
   Such organied Lok Sevak Sangh will be studded all over, the country leavening
   people in public affairs. They will form the training ground for statesmen who
   will have to shoulder the ¹ larger burdens in the national arena.
   Until the country is prepared to take up this type of organization and whole
   heartedly take to a society based on nonviolence and truth there can be no
   hope of any permanence in our economic, social or political life. The present
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Economy of Permanence
type of organization based on competition and centralized industries lands us
periodically into terrific upheavals. These have to be avoided if nations are to
progress steadily towards a set goal, which will bring peace amongst nations
and prosperity to the citizen.
Only in such a state can we expect fair play for the weak, justice to the
common man, where might will not be right and i where there will be no
premium on deceit and exploitation. Such a society will not have the glamour
of ill-gotten gains; neither will there be the attraction of rackety carriers, but
it will have a steady upway trend towards a stable culture bringing man out
from the jungle bestowing on him the dignity of a human being. This calls for a
considerable amount of self-discipline and self- control. We hope these will be
forthcoming in the required measure and thus enable us to see the advent of
the economy of permanence.
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