I read about the booming economy of India. Sensex may have gone up. Salaries of some people may have doubled or trebled. For me it is not a happy situation. Three years have seen rise in prices.
| Item | 2003 | 2006 |
| Bread | 8.00 | 10.00 |
| Milk (half litre packet) | 7.50 | 9.00 |
| Bus fare (from EC to Vasai Road Station) | 4.00 | 5.00 |
| Auto fare (from EC to Vasai Road Station) | 4.00 | 6.00 |
| Cable subscription (per month) | 200.00 | 275.00 |
Similarly prices of fruits and vegetables have gone up with seasonal variations.
My salary has not gone up in proportion to rising prices. When inflation is taken into account the increment at the most just covers up additional amount spent. In these three years my salary increased by 23%.
Transport is difficult. Quadruplication of tracks between Vasai Road and Borivali has not taken place. Quadruplication of tracks between Vasai Road and Virar was over in June 2004. Since then not even quadruplication of tracks between Vasai Road and Naigaum is over. At one time the 8.20 local leaving Vasai Road to Churchgate used to come at 8 o’clock. In March 2006 8.07 local to Borivali was introduced. After that 8.20 local comes after 8.07 local leaves, which is very often later than 8.06, and crowds grow bigger and difficult to get a seat. In the rush people fall. On 14.6.2006 when 8.20 local came the door was closed. I was standing at the platform. Someone fell before me. Another person fell on me. I had a fracture. It resulted in pain, I had to take leave and spend money on medicine. Though the fracture was not healed doctor said I could attend office and I resumed on 11/7/2006. I expect to be fit by 14/9/2006.
Many farmers have committed suicides. Announcing compensation for their families is neither right nor a solution. Suicide is a crime. Crime should not be rewarded. I read or heard somewhere on TV that suicides have increased because families get compensation.
Our country has imported wheat. What happened to 60 millions of foodgrains in godowns which we had some years back? How did such a huge stock disappear?
When sensex crashes there is lot of hue and cry though sensex has nothing to do economy. TV channels and newspapers cover it extensively. The coverage is out of proportion.
Indian economy will boom when prices remain stable, travel is easy. Now the economy of only some Indians booms.