These past few days we have been scouting to buy an apartment. The prices are just over the top and believe me nothing justifies the rates. First we went looking for ready to occupy apartment to save on rent while we pay EMIs but only royals can actually afford those in decent localities otherwise we would have had to go live in jungle practically. So we decided to go in for an under construction flat, Ofcourse that too has prices befitting that of a yatch but somehow we managed to find something which we could own completely say in 15 to 20 years after paying the loans. Both of us, my husband and I, are working and earn a decent amount. Judging by that we should be able to comfortably buy our dream home! But that’s not how it works you see. Buying a house is like a crime in the present day India we live in; once you buy your are sent right into the bottomless pit of EMIs which will not leave you for years to come. How fair is that? Even if we manage to settle for something within our ‘budget’ it certainly won’t be the home we wished for.
People are living longer than ever before, a phenomenon undoubtedly made necessary by the 30-year mortgage.
We are both software professionals which means we have worked our butts off to first get into an engineering college and then spent a lot of effort for completing one semester after the other. Then we worked hard again to get selected into a company so that our future would be secured. Now that we are into our jobs we work hard daily to finally get some moolah in our hands at the end of the month. We do not want much, we hope for a car and an apartment of our own. But how do we realize our dreams will the prices for everything sky rocketing day in and day out! What gets on my nerves is that here we are working hard and doing something which actually requires effort but we are neither paid well nor are we supported by the government to make things easy for us.
I don’t know if I can live on my income or not – the government won’t let me try it. ~Bob Thaves, “Frank & Ernest”
On the other hand, look at the actors and actresses; could someone please tell me why on earth are they paid so much? Some of them have not even completed their graduation and they earn truck loads of money! How? By Acting, singing and dancing. Really?? What on earth qualifies them for such a secure future? They have multiple houses, flats and cars and what do we have? We have gone by the books; studied when we were supposed to, worked when we had too; hell we even pay taxes on our meager salaries but why can’t we have the basic comforts without plunging neck deep into the loan shithole? We postpone vacations for that rainy day; we sacrifice so much to have a decent life and these nincompoops emoting in front of the camera earn without making the slightest effort! I do not buy the argument that Acting is an art and it’s a talent that few possess that makes them eligible for what they get. Bullshit I say ! Some days back there was this news of Mr Abhishek Bacchan gifting his daughter an Audi! Really! For what that she was born! That is the level up to which these people have wealth amassed by doing what- nothing! So much of imbalance in society! Millions and millions of people work as hard as them; infact more; are even more educated than them but they struggle with life while these people live lavishly like kings getting more than their fair share!
Coming to the Cricketers; really..! playing a game suddenly makes them worthy of millions being gifted! And it is people like us who give these so called demi gods the status which they use to squeeze every bit of money they can. They play for 10 to 12 years max and secure the future of generations to come. What about us ordinary people? What do we do? It’s depressing really to see where the country is headed to. Today atleast with loans for 15 to 20 years we will be able to buy an apartment but what will happen to the future generations if the price for everything keeps mounting and only morons like actors and crickets remunerations growing by folds.
Blessed are the young, for they shall inherit the national debt. ~Herbert Hoover,
‘Good politician under democracy is quite as unthinkable as an honest burglar.’
It’s frustrating as even the government that we have is nothing short of a pathetic bunch of bastards if I may say so with the permission of Kapil Sibal.I am not at all an ardent fan of Politics and Politicians. Honestly the sort of ‘Leaders’ we have makes me want to go puke! I know I know people say if you have problem with the system then change it blah blah blah. But enough of that! What irritates me is that these good for nothing politicians of ours are doing no good, just making loads of money for themselves. Every year with the budget taxes keep increasing; everything becomes that tad bit expensive. Taxes never decrease; there is nothing we can do; nobody listens to us. Prices for every commodity keep increasing. Where do all these leave us? Why is the government there at all?
Everybody wants to eat at the government’s table, but nobody wants to do the dishes. ~Werner Finck
If inflation continues to soar, you’re going to have to work like a dog just to live like one. ~George Gobel
Everywhere we see around us, the trend is scary. Increase in prices is not in tone with the increase in salaries. Even if salaries increase most of it is deducted in taxes. Apartments and cars may well be perceived as necessities on the higher end. But look even closer; the supermarket you visit to buy your groceries; the parlour you go to; the restaurant you visit and even the movies you go to watch. You have to pay so much for everything that it makes you wonder when is this ever going to stop. When can we get a breather from all these? I frankly am tired with this prejudice in our system. Why do we have to battle for everything while some good for nothing morons earn quick and easy bucks.
Thrift was never more necessary in the world’s history than it is today. ~Francis H. Sisson
There was a time when families would just have one earning member and lead comfortable lives. My mother is a homemaker, we lived on our father’s salary and boy did we have a lavish life. Is that even possible in today’s world? We never had to ever curb any of our needs. But it is not the same today. If you want your kids to have the same sort of life that you had both husband and wife need to be working and save like people running away from tsunami!
When did the future switch from being a promise to being a threat? ~Chuck Palahniuk
The future seems bleak; with life becoming more of a load then pleasure. The buying capacity seems to be following a shrinking trend; with only the rich getting further richer and the mediocre just living a life within demarcated lines! Perhaps Confucius was speaking of this day when he said ‘He who does not economize will have to agonize’.
Yes its frustrating. A thought provoking post
Thanks 🙂
totally agree with you… spare a thought for us docs.. 5.5 years medicine… with mbbs degree alone, u can get a salary of 8,000 rs in bangalore. so study another 3 years for md/ms with blood, bones and countless hours of patients tears and books… starting salary in some of the best hospitals in bangalore after md degree ? 26,000. we start working at the age of 30-31 yrs at 26k a month including 24 hour duties,no sundays off and 10 hour shifts… and then, you watch ministers swindling in crores and declaring assets worth even more crores.
Hi nice post just another thought – CAN INDIA DO WHAT IRAN DID TO TAME OUT SUBSIDIES – India to pay nearly 1.9 lakhs cr as subsidies, which in order burdens on India's fiscal. And always there will be a question whether the said subsidy is used by the genuine citizen or the most needy, Can there be any alternative were by the real effected people of India can be benefited by the subsidy given by government. 9 months back IRAN managed to reduced its subsidies by 50 % and this is how they did– http://www.bhavikkshah.blogspot.in/2011/10/easy-way-for-india-to-do-away-with.html
I can understand! Its frustrating and very annoying !
Loved reading this post!
The gap between the have's and the have not's have been yawning wide.
But hey, look on the bright side. In a few years, the poverty line will be raised to cover our incomes too.
Then, maybe we'll get one of those PWD houses.
http://myrootsmywings.blogspot.in/2012/03/wannabe-superhero-66365.html
Thank You …and I didn't think of that but you are right very plausible !!
Really nice article you have penned down…Informative too!!