The Hindu Business Line : Mind balms that fetch bucks

The integration of markets and services across the world has given immense power to global traders who influence people's way of life with the sole objective of selling their products. Various studies point out that though globalisation has generated wealth, it has added to human misery.

The wealth hunters have never allowed an economically balanced society to grow. Human civilisation has become increasingly robotised and perhaps this is why millions of people in developed nations search for life beyond wealth. And Indian `babas' are one of the outlets to treat distressed minds with spiritual medicine.

This is nothing to sneer about. For even the simple, often common sense, solutions offered by the various gurus fetch dollars. Indeed, the baba sector is worth a few million dollars, and the spiritual commodity one of the most sought after. Indeed, temples, ashrams, maths and meditation centres are mushrooming in developed nations. At last count some 30 Indian gurus had well-established presence across the world.It must be said that most of the gurus are doing quite a valuable service to people across the world, drawing from India's vast repository of the spiritual knowledge and approach. Many are popularising the ancient art of yoga that rejuvenates mind and body. With experts acknowledging the effectiveness of the practice of yoga, it has become a rage in the West.

Of the popularity of these gurus nothing much be said, as many have been conferred awards and honour by governments and private organisations in recognition of the service rendered. Indeed, in the rescue and rehabilitation programmes after natural calamities, these organisations have done considerable work. This has also led to beneficial spin-offs with markets opening up in philosophical books/magazines/journals, religious artefacts, cassettes, CDs, DVDs, banners, incense sticks, meditation beads, yoga mats, Ayurvedic medicines, oils, lotions, soaps, etc.

The popularity of Ayurvedic products is rising as much due to their lack of side-effects as the rising cost of allopathic treatment that involves cost of investigation, drugs and hospitalisation. Today, the world is divided into two camps — one for plain GDP growth regardless of the consequences, and the other for sustainable development. Indian gurus may well be the bridge between the two extreme positions.

(The author is a Pune-based

freelance writer.)