Economics of Mahaveera

Author(s): Mahapragna Acharya
Publisher: Adarsh Sahitya Sangh

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ECONOMICS OF MAHAVIRA
is why in Mahavira's visualisation, poverty or prosperity cannot be linked with fate or karma. All this is dependent on professional and working skills and effort.
The Problem of Famine A calamity which visited in those times was one of famine. At the time of famine, great distress was widely experienced. In the twentieth century, we cannot even imagine how horrifying those famines were. In the present century, so much resources have become available that if famine takes place in any part of the world or if the condition persists, food can be and is supplied from other parts of the world. The means of transport and communications are so easily available that famine has ceased to be a serious problem. In olden days, the situation became very grave whenever famines visited the land. Even when people possessed money, they were forced to die because of hunger. In the present century, man has acquired so much capability that he can transport anything from one place to another with ease.
Direction of Resources . It is true that if the entire wealth and resources of the world were used for eradication of poverty. the situation today would have been very much different. Obstacles, however, appeared in the way. The available wealth has not been used in making mankind happy or prosperous. It has been applied to the manufacture of destructive weapons. Nations became apprehensive of others. A kind of arms race started. If we see the statistical evidence given in a recent report of the United Nations Development Programme, it would be discovered in what direction money power and resources are being applied. Eight hundred billion dollars are being spent every year on defence. Converted into rupee terms at the present rate, this amount translates itself into thirty-two lakh crores. It means that an astronomical amount rupees are being spent on defence. All this expenditure is being incurred not for the security of mankind, but for the defence of territorial possessions.