Should we buy from small traders?

 

Should we buy from small traders?

Companies like Amazon, Flipkart, D mart and Jio retail prefer to buy directly from manufacturer for taking cost advantages of buying in bulk quantity.  In this way they are offering aggressive pricing to the consumers.  The practice being used by these big retailers has become threatening for the small players. The disrupters like these have been creating a lot of gap in the system.  Though consumers are happy with it as they are getting good bargain.  However, in country like India these big fishes are eating the food of small players and literally these tiny players are being thrown out of the market creating a serious problem of unemployment in the country. India having such a large population and its survival is possible only through the coexistence theory.  If one starts eating the part of other, the system might face a big threat on social level some time in future.

The problem is much bigger and there is no way to solve this unless we the citizens of India start reacting other way for social justice.  Although it is difficult for any consumer to pay extra when they are getting the same conveniently at very attractive price from these giant retailers.  Currently millions of small shop keepers and street vendors have been undergoing through a very tough phase owing to prolonged lockdowns imposed for curtailing the spread of Covid-19 pandemic.  In fact, certain percentage of them have already been thrown out of the market and those who remained are struggling a lot for their survival. Many of them who were above the poverty level have again fallen back below poverty line.  

There will be lot of issues like quality of the product when buying from small traders, but one can compromise with it a little bit.  If you are buying half dozen shirts of branded company, at least you can adjust with one piece from some small brand.  You can purchase some items from small vendors for distributing the same amongst your maid, drivers etc.  What about buying a pair of shoes from street vendor just keeping in mind that you will use it for six months then throw it away?  You can buy some grocery items although not entirely from nearby small shopkeepers for keeping smile on his face.  Buying a small show piece from street boy means a lot for him although it might not suit to your status but keeping the same in leaving room for some months will not harm our image.  A set of crockery from street vendor for your afternoon tea would not change the taste of your masala tea.  As a social responsibility, every individual should believe in the theory of coexistence.  A healthy society can survive only if everyone thinks of helping each other for upliftment of society.

 If a small group of people hold all the wealth and that wealth continues to be passed down to the same groups of people, inequality and social division occur. A disproportionate distribution of wealth or income leads to high unemployment rates and economic instability due to the cyclical nature of the system. This ultimately will lead to increase in crime rate and infighting with each other threatening the integrity of our country. All the Governments are also responsible for creating the inequality crisis. They must act now to end it by generating employments through deployments of large funds in infrastructure, healthcare and education. They must ensure corporations and wealthy individuals to take some social responsibility for upbringing the living conditions of poorer people.

 

“The measure of the greatness of a society is found in the way it treats those most in need, those who have nothing apart from their poverty!

Pope Francis

 -Rajendra Jhanwar