Factors afflicting our society today

We may have made progress in more ways than one but seem to have gone back in the overall development of the society. Contradictions in any society are universal. But here it seems to be too wide and open ended. Nearly every thing seems to be money-oriented for those who do not have enough to make a living and even those who have plenty. On the other hand slowly and surely we are turning into a consumerist society like it exists in many of the affluent societies including that of the super power. On a different plain we as a society have become extremely arrogant and intolerant at all levels. We have literally lost our power of independent thinking. One of our cardinal weaknesses is that we jump into conclusion without thinking of the long-term consequences of a venture, be it at family or state levels. Arrogance and indiscipline rule the entire society. Indulging in lies, deception has become a way of our daily life. We are virtually taken over by greed and lust for power. Anger and vengeance at all levels have become extremely acute. In the foregoing I have briefly listed the contradictions that exist in our present day society. Many of the elements indicated above happen to be common phenomena amongst the societies all over the world. But some of these elements are more acute than the others in our society which we can ill afford. In the developed world of the West the good and the bad run parallel but no one is allowed to cross the limits of undue violence and vandalism or even unruly behavior. Besides they have an effective legal system that works as check and balance between the two. What is also of real concern for us is that the educated and the civil society members are also either unaware of their surroundings or too complacent. If we are to become a part of the "civilized world" our civil society has to be more proactive coming out of their comfort zones. One of the decadent aspects of our present day society, growing culture of consumerison, is quite pronounced. People belonging to the middle class and above have become a part and parcel of this culture. They are continually in the process of acquiring goods and services way beyond their needs. Worst still is the fact that this culture of consumerism is hurting the country in more ways than one. First and foremost one is that people in the process are indulging in a spending spree way beyond one's capacity often through borrowing or otherwise. Second, this is serving as a deterrent to the development of a saving culture. Look at India it has one of the highest rate of savings as good as any society of the entire developed world if not better. Bengalis were once famously known for their frugality as one described it as "plain living and high thinking". All that is now extinct. People are more into false vanity and senseless ego. Unbridled consumerism also leads to waste. One of the growing phenomena that are silently corroding the health of our younger generation is the indulgence in fast food. We now have outlets particularly in all metropolitan cites where we have even franchise of internationally recognized fast food producers. This is giving rise to some health concerns particularly amongst the younger generation. Some time back, the BBC made a survey of how a large section of Bangladeshi children in the urban and metropolitan cities were becoming obese at an early age due to this consumption of fast- food. Never have our society been so divided, so indisciplined. Never have the society been so militant and violent. What is of grave concern is the fact that in this a section of our student community leads the way. They are into all kinds of violent acts even murder. The entire society is also highly conflict ridden. Never before have our women been bashed and their dignity violated like now. Today women's rights continue to be violated in fascistic style. Never our society lived under such strain and stress. People have become extremely intolerant of each other. No one is willing to listen to other's point of few. Everybody thinks he has the answer to all the problems facing the country and the people at large. We have become totally incapable of collective thinking. We have become unduly arrogant. Humility is nowhere to be seen. We want to resolve our conflicts through muscle flexing and violent means. Wisdom and tolerance have taken leave of us. We have turned ourselves into a directionless society. Concluding remarks If we are to be a part of the civilized society we ought to bring about a major change in our attitude to life as a whole. In this endeavor the lead role has to be taken jointly by the civil society and the Ruling Establishment. Needless to say, the first step has to be taken by the ruling establishment by putting the wheels in motion. Both parties must have trust in each other. Both must be open minded and ready to accommodate each other. As for the Administration it must be more rational in its attitude to the civil society.. A country cannot survive without the active support and involvement of its people and the society at large. After all it is all about people first and people last. Today there is a crisis of confidence between the civil society and the Establishment. It is high time we must turn around. The entire society is restive, disillusioned and looking for a way out of this choking environment. Time is fast running out; let us put our acts together here and now if we are to be recognized as a civilized society in the comity of nations around the world. ............................................................. E-mail : chowdhuryshamsher@yahoo.com