In today’s world, humanity has become so deeply absorbed in the blind race for development that we have stopped questioning where this journey is actually leading us. In the name of progress, we may be moving forward materially, but morally, socially, and environmentally, we seem to be moving backward.
The Thar Desert: Illusion vs Reality
The Thar Desert has always been known for its limited vegetation and scarce water resources. In recent years, however, the discovery of some water sources led to the cultivation of rabi crops such as cumin and wheat, along with horticulture crops like pomegranate.
This created an illusion among people that water would now be available forever. But this belief is far from reality. A desert ecosystem does not promise permanent water—it demands balance, restraint, and responsible use.
Sacrificing Nature in the Name of Development
Alongside agricultural expansion, solar and wind energy companies entered the region under the banner of renewable and clean energy. While renewable energy is essential, its implementation has come at a heavy cost. Large numbers of trees have been cut down to make way for these projects.
On one hand, we speak of saving the environment; on the other, we destroy it for infrastructure. This contradiction raises a serious question—what kind of development is this?
The Breakdown of Social Harmony
Perhaps the most painful consequence of this so-called development is the breakdown of village relationships. People who once sat together every morning and evening now avoid even looking at one another.
Greed and corporate interests have divided communities. Some individuals, driven by personal gain, lure others into selling land at low prices. As a result, trust has weakened, and social bonds have been severely damaged.
Rising Heat and an Approaching Crisis
The land is now covered with a web of electric wires, and temperatures continue to rise each year. With trees disappearing and natural balance disturbed, extreme heat is becoming unbearable.
It feels as though, in the near future, a forced “self-imposed lockdown” of four to five hours a day will become unavoidable—simply because stepping outside will be impossible. At that point, will we still call this development, or will we recognize it as a path toward self-destruction?
Nature Always Settles Its Accounts
Nature spares no one. It settles every account—often with interest. Those who believe that corporate profits will secure their future forever must understand that such gains are temporary. When nature is exploited, consequences may be delayed, but they are inevitable.
Materialism and the Loss of Human Values
In this blind pursuit of material success, we no longer have time for ourselves or our families. To justify this absence, we hand mobile phones to our children and move them to cities.
But the comfort of urban life comes at a cost—one paid by villages, farmlands, forests, and countless living beings. Sadly, this cost is rarely acknowledged.
Conclusion: Is This Real Progress?
Today, success is measured by a single standard—how much money you earn. Compassion, emotions, and humanity have been pushed aside.
This raises a fundamental question: what kind of progress disconnects humans from nature and endangers their own future?
If we do not restore balance and rethink our definition of development, this so-called progress will soon force us to realize the difference between true growth and irreversible destruction.
