Inflation touches a new high of close to 11%. Inflation rate inching towards the 12% mark. Price rise sparks of a dramatic debate in the Parliament. The Government in a fix over rising prices and that in an election year. I wondered, “What the hell?? It’s only a 12% rise after all. Why is there so much chaos, so much being said about a 12% inflation rate?? Petrol, Diesel and LPG prices have certainly gone up quite a bit but that is mostly due to the sky rocketing prices of crude oil the world over. Then why should I or anybody else be concerned about what seems to be a trivial(12%) rate of inflation. India is a developing economy, isn’t it? Prices are bound to rise.
And then one fine morning I dragged my lazy backside to a store after 6 months of doing what only Chocolate(my dog) does better than me. The Modus Operandi – Buy 1 litre of milk. Good old milk. Sold in a packet, white in colour, blah blah blah. I think you know what I am talking about.
That’s when it hit me. And it hit me hard. The store keeper announced with an evil grin on his face, “Rs. 26 saab”. WTF!! Rs 26 for a litre of milk. I used to get it for not a penny more than 14 bucks the last time I went looking for it(Flashback – 6 months).
It made me wonder again, if milk was so expensive now, then what about the other utilities or rice or wheat for instance?? I can only imagine for I never bothered to go looking for either. But I sure as hell do know the story won’t be that different from my milking experience. :P
Now I know why the Government in is overdrive trying to control prices, now I know why the Prime Minister and the Finance Minister are on TV every other week assuring people that the government is doing its best to control inflation, now I know why the extensive debate and blame game in the parliament, and now I can understand what the common man has to deal with every time he steps into a grocery store or for that matter any store.
Is the government doing something?? They claim to!! And I certainly choose to believe or rather hope that they are doing something about it.
These are difficult times. Wonder if it can get any worse!!
