Drought is wreaking havoc in several Indian states. The worst situation is in eastern Maharashtra, especially around Latur where perhaps hundreds of farmers have committed suicide in the last year. Such human tragedies are not handled in a humane way, especially when they are exploited for political gains. Rains ultimately are not controlled by any government – States or Central. Of course, it is the job of the government of the locality to ensure that timely remedial steps are taken. There is so much available in terms of knowledge, technology and skill from the Israeli expertise of agriculture with maximum usage of scarce water resources along with more natural – organic inputs in terms of replenishing the earth instead of dumping fertilisers. Two experts from Israel are already in Latur to help local farmers with more scientific methods (Scrutator's page 12).
There are reports also that politicising farmers' suicide is also creating a domino effect. All politicians, in India specially, need to take their responsibilities more seriously. Very often a farmer goes into heavy debt not only due to his agriculture budget but also because of lavish wedding in the family, dowry, etc. Whatever maybe the cause, the consequence of a suicide is a more permanent pain on all the relations concerned and the society in general.
Stanford and Harvard research recently have revealed that suicide rates are rising in America and in other rich countries. Over here, the cause is not predominantly financial, though poverty or unbearable debt may happen sometimes. In America, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a federal agency, adds up the causes of death noted on coroner's certificates. As per the report in The Economist, between 1999 and 2014 the suicide rate rose by 24%. Men shoot themselves, while women take poison. Though there has been a rise in suffocation and strangulation, Raj Chetty of Stanford and his colleagues at Harvard and elsewhere also revealed that inequality correlates with illness.
Let it be clear.
America's story of inexorable progress is just an idea. At the same time there is some caution or hope, because between 1986 and 2000 the suicide rates steadily declined.
Similar pattern can be seen in some other countries too.
According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) reports, America's suicide rate comes out considerably lower than those of France or Belgium. In Britain and the Netherlands there is recent increase in suicide rates.
In America, this may not surprise that, the native Americans and non-Hispanic Whites have a higher propensity for suicide than other ethnic groups. Looking from age perspective, the highest risk of committing suicide is not from reckless young men but males aged 75 or over.
Let me go back to India.
In India committing suicide is a crime with all the legal consequences and attempted suicide is a double whammy. Any person who has thought or attempted suicide is most reluctant to admit himself or herself. But I must say I was most impressed to read about Chris Packham, the BBC wildlife presenter well-known for Springwatch. He wrote a book, “Fingers in the Sparkle Jar” where he describes his own two attempts to terminate his life because of depression.
Some years ago he went swimming where the waters were infested with whale sperms and somehow Chris Packham got some serious health problem. It was so painful that he seriously thought of committing suicide. Then in 2003 his one-year-old dog was run over, and again the urge for suicide came back. After seeing a therapist for two years it helped him to overcome the tendency. Chris Packham's book is a revealing read for all of us.
- CB
