1. Waiting and waiting in endless queues
Years and years wasted
without any use;
Hoping for food in agonized suspense;
As scarcity looms in proportions immense
With limited resources and hoarding ways
The common citizen’s life – a daily race.
2. With shooting prices and taxes high
What can one do, too
horrible to sigh;
The promises made
dissolve in vain
A degrading state, a
shameful stain;
With ever growing
population rate
What growth can vie, a
worsening state.
3. Under the grip of ruthless corruption
The rich and mighty
thrive; no ration
For them, no shortage, no
threatening sound;
They roll in luxuries
nowhere else found;
Coupled with poverty and
scarcity dire
Adulteration rages like
forest fire.
4. Who questions whom? A vicious circle
indeed
None takes the blame;
none helps our needs;
None tries to stop the
ills that feed on men;
Problems prosper like
worms in a fen;
While other nations grow
with earnest work
We slink in dishonest
ways and duties shirk.
5. Oh, thriving superpowers and states!
Think of us, your
fellow-creatures’ fates;
Is it your culture to
ravish Nature
Till man degrades himself
to a devilish creature?
Beware of Nature’s rule
and mighty force
Bring not on all
irretrievable woes.
6. What wealth can shape our Nature again?
What dollars can reduce the
dying pain?
What riches can repair
our polluted air?
What power can set right
our state unfair?
Think of your neighbors’
fate ere it is too late;
Nature’s gifts let us not
overuse or waste.
7. Oh, richest raving men of power and
greed!
For pomp and show, waste
not resources and wealth;
Don’t throw away food on
which dogs and beggars feed
With gold we can’t get
back lost food and health
Let temperate means
prevail and kindness reign
Let us fight against
scarcity and starving pain.
‘
8. Till we cut down our wastage and
pleasures much
We have to languish
waiting in queues as such
Let us not overconsume
with selfish lust;
By mutual help and
understanding we must
Make this, a planet for
all to dwell.
Not a risky, polluted devastating
hell.
Postscript:
Oh, developed citizens of this mighty
earth!
Waste not, want not, if not face death
Like primitive dinosaurs, a gradual
death;
Mere luxuries won’t ennoble a human
beast;
Think of starving millions, relent at
least.
**********************
A Note on Scarcity:
Abnormal and
excessive use of resources result in scarcity as there is a limited
availability of resources on this planet. Even products manufactured by man
have limits and must be used wisely for the welfare and safety of present and
future generations also. There is a close connection between scarcity of resources and endangered environment and climate change. The main causes for scarcity are : rapid population growth, natural disasters, shortage of storage facilities, over consumption, wastage, Pollution and exploitation of natural resources, impending wars, scientic experiments that are harmful to Nature and mankind, blackmarketeering, lack of financial support, lack of proper use of scientific methods and proper monitoring and corruption in all fields. So proper steps should be taken by all nations to save this earth and all living creatures from the impending disaster.
According to reports nearly 78 million people faced
hunger in 2022 and by 2030 it may go up to six hundred million. Food scarcity
is caused by drought, floods, indiscriminate use of chemical fertilizers,
industrial pollution of water and soil coupled with wastage of food. In global
hunger index India ranked 107 among 126 countries. More than 43% of children in
our country are undernourished. Nearly 68 million tons of food is wasted
annually in Indian homes. Next to China, India comes second in household
wastage of food though we worship food as the sacred form of God.
Overconsumption of resources causes scarcity in the world. The largest consumer
nations are U.S., China, Japan, Germany and U.K. In India 125 million liters of
water is wasted daily, that is 45 liters by one person every day. China, U.S.
Brazil and Russia are the largest producers of water waste.
The emission of
poisonous gases by industries, auto mobiles, gadgets and burning of fossils and
waste matter causes air pollution. China, U.S. India, Russia, Japan, Germany,
Iran, South Korea, Saudi Arabia and Indonesia are largest producers of carbon
emissions. As regards plastic pollution India, China, Brazil, Indonesia, Japan,
U.k. Thailand and Egypt are some of the countries which cause damage to our
surroundings to a large extent. Even in small countries like Finland, Estonia,
Bulgaria plastic pollution is assuming alarming proportions. Unless we take
remedial measures the prospects of scarcity will lead to starvation deaths and
pose a grave risk to ultimate survival of mankind and other living creatures as
well.
We should not misuse and overconsume available resources. We should check
wastage and recycle the wastage items. Safety measures should be taken up in
industrial sector to prevent pollution. Green technology to preserve our
natural surroundings should be adopted. We should change our living style and
lead a simple life without vain luxuries and wastage of resources. The outbreak
of wars and production of nuclear weapons poses another grave danger to our
world. We should reduce overuse of chemicals and follow organic methods in
production. Nonconventional methods should be adopted in energy sector like
wind, water and solar energy.
As per Paris
Agreement (2005), the global warming has to be kept under control below 1.5
centigrade and emissions have to be reduced by 45% by 2030 and reach net zero by
2050. In G20 summit held on September 9th 2023, Sri Narendra Modi
assured the nations that carbon emissions will be brought down to zero level in
India by 2070 if adequate funds are provided by developed nations. Let us hope
that all nations will strive to make our world a safer and clean place for the
survival of all living beings.
As Gandhi
aptly said we should think about others and live a contented and peaceful
life. “The earth has enough resources to
meet the needs of all but not enough to satisfy the greed of even one person.”
“If you
exhaust natural resources, there will be nothing left for your children.”
***************************
24th November, 2023 Somaseshu Gutala
