Money, the cliché goes, is the root of all evil. Is there merit to it? Is money indeed the root of evil? Yes and no is the answer. Money can be evil or lead to evil if it becomes an end in itself. This can happen in instances of both when a given person has no money and is seeking it or when the other given person has money and wants to make it not in due proportion. But, money, in due and reasonable proportion can also give people a sense of dignity. In the final analysis, modern day societies are informed by the logic of capital and capital relations also determine the nature of worth and dignity of people. This sad but unfortunate truth has become the norm in almost every society. (If you have no money, then society treats you as if you are nothing). Money , per se, then is not the problem or the evil. But the vainglorious extravagant pursuit , and at times, even scarcity of money is the problem. Money is a medium of exchange and a store of value that we need for buying goods and services. The problem of and with money arises when this relationship does not hold or , in other words, when there is a massive disconnect between means and ends or, more accurately, money is seen as an end in itself. It is here that the real problem lies and it is here the baser aspects of human nature come to the fore and evils like crimes, prostitution, greed, and extravagance, both in the abstract and the specific take hold and place. Against the general thrust of the arguments delineated here, where do we stand? Alas, not too great is the answer. Over time, Kashmiris society has become wedded to money like never before. We measure most things by the yardsticks of money; making money has become the be all and end all of many; the relationship between means and ends has become broken and money is not seen as a means to an end but an end in itself. If this carries on unabated and there is no check to it, then there is the very real danger of erosion of our values. It , therefore, is in the nature of an imperative that we gain sobriety and proportion over money and see it for what it is. Otherwise, it will become such an evil that we won’t be able to shake it off!

KR Desk