GIFT EcoNoMY: SELFLESS Economy

GIFTING CAN BE CONTAGIOUS!

The moment I came across the word "gift economy", I wondered it is mere a renewed word by some ad-world people for earning out huge under the cover of attractive name. As is human nature these days, I googled it just then, and found the following definition of it on the Wikipedia (one of the most adulterated source these days actually):

 "A gift economy, gift culture, or gift exchange is a mode of exchange where valuables are not traded or sold, but rather given without an explicit agreement for immediate or future rewards. This contrasts with a barter economy or a market economy, where goods and services are primarily exchanged for value received."

A little more research into it revealed that it’s not new age? Gift economy or gift culture is an ancient system dating back to the Stone Age where goods or services are given away without any expectation of rewards. In fact, you’ll find references to it in almost all cultures.   The idea is re-emerging today, and there are plenty of modern day examples which prove that you don’t have to be a monk to practice a gift way of life."

Okay, so this is how the two words seem to have just juxtaposed against each other. Relating “gift”  to “economy” is like drawing a comparison between a charity versus a fake NGO, that's just set up to earn money. But that is what catches up attention and proves me wrong. How about earning money side by side earning goodwill, and coming across more “humane” humans than you ever thought of! Treat right?

Well, this Seva Café in Gujarat is a live and inspirational example of “gift economy”. This is a restaurant where there are no prices on the menu and where the check reads Rs.0 with only this footnote: "Your meal was a gift from someone who came before you. To keep the chain of gifts alive, we invite you to pay it forward for those dine after you." That's Seva Cafe, a experiment in 'peer to peer' generosity. The people who work there are mostly volunteers. If you know cooking, cleaning or just serving, you can do the job you want. Now, the pertinent question: Why will anybody do that? “Why” is very important here since in the “profit-loss-audit” world, who would like to spare time like that. Well, I will answer through a short real story of few friends who landed up in this café thinking they don’t charge, so let’s eat to our satisfaction. Then comes an empty envelope… yes, just the envelope. No bill produced. You are asked to keep as much money you want to pay…any amount. Nobody is going to see that. Nobody is going to ask questions to embarrass you as well. Then, they thought what will the cafe do with such little money (as they planned to put really little)? They asked the staff and came to know that their bill has already been paid by the previous customer. So, that is how it works. A customer just puts any amount in the envelope as a “gift” to the next one going to dine there…without knowing whom he is actually gifting…and the goodwill chain continues. So, with some guilt and shame, the group finally ended up paying more than their bill actually would be. Two of them even volunteered to work there in their comfortable hours as they felt deeply touched. So, don't get stunned by their speaking skills as an engineering student might be taking your orders there. The impressive insight came when I came to know that the owner gives the profit for charity.

If that is not all to make you feel confused towards your belief, “these-days-people-aren’t-like-they-used-to-be”, meet Udai bhai, the auto rickshaw driver. He drives his rickshaw out with love, and not just petrol. He adopts the same gift economy model of Seva Café, and doesn’t ask for money. It is up to the will of the customer to pay.

Then, I got to know a valiant officer of the Indian Army, Maj Rakesh Sharma, shaurya chakra. He says that “there are no runners up in combat” So, true. He, and his likes, and their selfless contribution towards our nation, and the way government takes forever to look into the armed forces pay and perks suggests one more model of gift economy. What “gift” these soldiers give to us is unparalleled . So, what as customers nation can do then… at least pay some respect towards the uniform, and don’t talk about canteen benefits the moment you come across them. Don’t wait for a war to make you realize that gift of freedom, and gift of moving around fearlessly even under continuous threats from militants is an incomparably more than a diamond add can define “sada ke liye”!

So, at least let us take a cue from “Seva Café”, “udai bhai”, and our soldiers guarding country in all odd locations, and start looking for answer to the question: “What can we do for our country than what country does for us?” 

Sitting near my window sill, occupied by the thought, penned down in hurry some lines:

From my little hut in forest,

I dream of gifting another tree to this forest.

Nature mocks at my petty endeavor.

But then like a child, it fosters my ego

to keep me a happy and inspired child

to discover not great things but the smaller ones

like Gifting a thought, mood, or just pleasant emotion.

For one last time, I dissect the leaves to know them

and the botanical supremacy laughs at me

Thinking these mortals are just too naïve

Can’t they look that all can’t be known by ripping apart?

There are greater things to know by being one with them!