We are what we are !!

We are what we are! Many times I have wondered why are we so obsessed with GDP-Gross Domestic product nos. which is only a measure of raw economic activities to put it crudely. You go to any seminar or trade/industry association meeting worth its name , the speakers start talking about slowdowns and dip in GDP immediately after the official prayer song is sung and finished! How many of us really understand what GDP is and how it is  calculated with lot of guesstimates,punctuations ,surmises etc.only to include goods,services that are counted and calculated as defined by the National Income Accounting methodologies. GDP in simple terms is equal to the sum of Consumption + investment+ Govt spending+(Exports-Imports).GDP does not include many good things and bad things.In Indian context Parenting, bringing up children by our mothers on their own, taking care of the aged without engaging a  care taker, Volunteer work -preserving the nature and resources, the value of culture a...