Patna, Feb. 22: The middleclass, which has taken up the mantle to bring in change in the world most of the time, has become more materialistic today, believe experts.

Sudarshan Iyengar, vice-chancellor of Gujarat Vidyapith, made the observation while delivering a lecture at a seminar on Nexus of Politics & Business and Gandhian Ethics at AN Sinha Institute of Social Studies today.

The eminent Gandhian said that the middle class has always played a crucial role in awakening a society but with the advent of globalisation and commercialisation, this section of the society has become mute spectators.

Iyengar, attacking on the nexus between big business houses and politicians said there is mad race among various corporate houses for getting control of the natural resources and in such cases corporates are trying to have good contact with political parties. “This is dangerous,” Iyengar said.

He added: “Corporates work only for profit and have little interest for labour and poor people. By taking control of natural resources, the poor will be driven out from their native places by big business houses.” Iyengar, who hails from the land of Gandhi, threw light on the recent scams that hit the UPA government recently claiming that all these swindling of money is a result of nexus between corporates and political parties. He also spoke about the susashan mantra that is being chanted by the Nitish Kumar government.

“Susashan can be achieved if the government is able to meet the needs of people at the last ladder of the society. The Nitish government is doing a commendable job but the real development should start at the village-level. Bihar, which constitutes a huge chunk of rural populace, neglecting them would be against the interest of the society.”

Ramashray Rai, an eminent Gandhian, said: “People have become more materialistic. If the foundation of a developed society is based on material goods, it will create a weak base. We should think of the society first, not material gain.”

He added: “The only way people can distance themselves from material lust is through education. Our education system should be framed in such a way that people are taught about values of life and not how to earn more money.”

The speakers present at the occasion said that according to Gandhi, the economic policy should be holistic development of villages and equal distribution of wealth.