Market-based lifestyle has reduced relationships to mere transactions: RSS leader Hosabale

By Admin

25 Jun, 2025

In an era dominated by digital convenience and e-commerce, human relationships are undergoing a subtle but significant transformation. At a recent event in Mumbai, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) General Secretary Dattatreya Hosabale shared his critical insights on how a market-driven lifestyle is impacting the fabric of Indian society. Speaking at a discussion on the book "Integral Humanism: A Distinct Paradigm of Development" by Ashok Modak, published by the Indian Council of Social Science Research, Hosabale expressed concern about the reduction of deep-rooted social bonds into transactional interactions.

Human Connections vs. Commercial Convenience

Hosabale emphasized that platforms like e-commerce, while convenient, often lack the human connection and trust that once formed the backbone of traditional marketplaces. “If I want to get Modak's book in a village in Tamil Nadu, I can easily order it online. I pay and they deliver. But is it really that simple?” he asked. His point was clear: the system works, but it’s faceless. In the past, a farmer could borrow from a trader who had known his family for generations something that companies like Amazon can never replicate.

Individualism and the Decline of Community

Drawing a parallel with the West, Hosabale claimed that in the United States, “society has practically disappeared. Only individuals and the state are left.” He warned against importing this unsustainable model of welfare governance and market-centric living, suggesting it erodes the community-based lifestyle that has traditionally defined India.

A Civilisational Perspective

India, or Bharat, has never subscribed to rigid ideologies, according to Hosabale. “Bharat has never lived just for itself. It has always existed for the well-being of the world.” He argued that India’s philosophical foundation   rather than ideology   is what distinguishes it. Unlike ideologies that are closed systems, philosophy allows freedom of thought and encourages individuals to find their own path, as taught by Buddha, Mahavir, and Swami Vivekananda.

Nature, Education, and the Need for Value-Based Development

Hosabale also addressed concerns about lifestyle and sustainability, asserting that while technology like electricity is essential, we must consider how to produce and use it responsibly. Education, he said, must not merely focus on information, but on instilling values that help build a cohesive society. He called for a shift from the Western worldview   which often emphasizes individual rights and exploitation of nature   to a paradigm rooted in compassion, concern, and compatibility.

A Model for Holistic Progress

Highlighting alternatives to GDP-driven development, Hosabale praised Bhutan's Gross National Happiness model as a compelling example of a more humane and balanced approach. "Human and societal well-being are complementary. Both cannot exist without nature," he noted.

In conclusion, Hosabale’s remarks served as a reminder that while modern conveniences offer short-term benefits, the long-term health of society depends on meaningful relationships, sustainable living, and value-based education. As India continues to evolve, it must do so by staying rooted in its philosophical heritage and community-oriented ethos, rather than blindly adopting market-centric ideologies.