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In
fact life should not be ' in-style' but always with relevant
values and principles. Different possessions, passions and fashions
make different life styles. A person is measured and known for the possessions
he/she has - physical and mental possessions like height,
weight, appearance, character, house, properties, qualifications, fame
etc. Normally different persons belonging to various groups make all
efforts to show/display themselves ' ins and outs' with
make-up, dresses, cars, status symbols etc. Popular functions
for marriages, birth anniversaries, inaugurations, etc. indicate the
financial capacities of the organizers. Practically society gets grouped
into different strata depending on possessions and in a city, posh areas,
middle class and lower class localities and slums exist. Also it is
a fact that within these segregated groups different customs and values
prevail. Thus there are rich man's free and lavish worlds, villagers'
peaceful lives, poor man's penury and slavery and dirty life styles
of slums. Hence properties, riches, powers, popularity, fame etc. decide
the ' views and ways' or life styles of citizens and they get clubbed
together into different groups like upper class, lower class etc.
Now see the social situations in a rural area where natural, traditional and religious values, morals and practices prevail. Agriculture, farming, rearing, trading etc. provide jobs and incomes to the public. Population density is very small (about 200/sq. km.). People are strongly established with their traditions, morals, rituals etc. Society is graded and grouped into rich landlords, small farmers, agricultural workers, traders, craftsmen etc. Since the economy is nourished and balanced by nature and natural agencies like rains, floods, storms etc., growth and stratification of population also are indirectly controlled by nature. In other words, the society exists in balance with the environment, except for minor and tolerable influences and influxes from outside areas. In these balanced situations, what are the different types of wealth groups and 'modes of life' (or popularly life styles) which exist? A top group of rich landlords with big farms and many farm workers. This small group has their own noble/aristocratic ways of life with big houses, riches and associated life styles. Next comes the group of small farmers, rearers, traders etc. with sufficient incomes for secure life and some savings. Third is the group of landless farm workers, daily wagers, assistants of various types etc.. Fourth group consists of some jobless, incomeless and wandering persons who live parasitic or idle lives. Another essential group is a small number of persons helping the whole society in their health care, education, religious things, day-to-day administration etc. This fifth group is close to the second strata of society financially. So in a traditional rural economy which is in balance with environment, the society can be ideally divided into five groups of persons and families or four wealth groups. Now introduce external influences like, (1) proximity to a city or industrial township and (2) increased irrigation facilities. Over a period of one or two decades the traditional rural economy normally changes into a different type, close to semi-urban type with more rich persons, social groups and growth possibilities |
The social conditions in an industrial township are very different. An industrial township is entirely planned, engineered and developed for the use of a fixed size of population with known incomes. Education and health care are managed better due to small population. Society consists of only 3 groups, viz., (1) a top group which is abundantly paid, (2) the middle level and (3) the lower level with sufficient incomes. Houses are provided by the government/company and are designed centrally taking into consideration the salaries. Four types of houses/quarters are sufficient to accomodate the entire staff. Many industrial townships in India are inhabited by workers belonging to different cultures, religions and traditions. Hence traditional and religious things get confined to the personal or familial circles Come to a thickly populated urban area. The main differences of a city from a village are presented in the page 'Learn from nature'. The main points are, (1) population densities in cities are very high (New Delhi's population density is >10000 / sq.km., which is very high compared to 100-200 in rural areas), (2) overall, urban areas are also planned, engineered and developed, (3) natural and ecologically sustainable life styles are practically nil, (4) number of social groups based on incomes or wealth are high (say about 15) compared to rural areas, (5) all causes of pollutions of atmosphere, land, rivers, ground water and seas are of industrial or urban origin, (6) public health is given low priority compared to industrial growth, and widespread automation and speed, and (7) service agencies for pleasures and luxuries are plenty. The remedial solution for all pollutions and unhealthy or destructive life styles is found to be 'make cities green'. (See the page 'Green Life' also.) |
Comparatively,
the most conspicuous thing between rural areas, industrial townships
and cities is the differences in wealth groups and social disparities.
It is stated in the second paragraph that many rural areas are ordered
well by natural, traditional and religious ways and wealth groups are
low. Lives in industrial townships are also ordered, but engineeringly
and administratively and number of social groups based on wealth is
minimum. In urban areas many industries, institutes, townships and business
opportunities exist. But city as a whole is mismanaged and chaotic
situations prevail in many places. Slum areas are caused due to mismanagement,
floating population and large number of job/service opportunities.
In this background, the
most important way for bringing order and balance in cities is
to control and limit wealth generations and accumulations bringing down
number of wealth groups and disparities to tolerable levels. (See
last paragraph in the page 'Learn
from Nature' also.) Click here for 'Limits
of Wealth' |
![]() over-exploitation of natural resources, wasteful business practices, high population desities, consumerism and poor health care. |
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