Although, what Mathew has written, that "it is an individual's problem", I also agree with Arvind, that the problem must also be looked from the perspective of redefining some of the popular notions about "democracy", "free-economy", "modernity" etc. These issues do not remain open for interpretation at an individual's level, but are prevaded and popularized through the all-powerful media. All in a way, that literally renders individual thinking abilities subservient to a greater force of mass communication. Just an example: the BPO revolution has brought in jobs for the young 20-something youth of India. But has anyone thought about the adverse effects on their life-pattern? Retail industry it seems is growing by leaps and bounds. But has anyone spared a thought about the survival of the myriads of shop-keepers, who have been traditionally been small-shop owners for generations? It is this big massive force of "free economy" which seems to be working just in the opposite direction than that advocated of the proponent of "Small is beautiful" - Schumacher. What happens to an individual when he loses his individual identity (remember 'Animal Farm'?)? He either rebels against the society at large, or meekly submits itself. Unfortunately for the victims of this tragedy, the chap decided to do the former. There is no condonation for the act. But I feel that to look at it as merely an individual's problem, would be a littel short-sighted.
