Introduction
Fact is much different from fiction. Fact is the reality of life and fiction is the dream of life. Fact makes us sad some times and fiction gives us pleasure. One should try to know the fact of life in order to judge human life in true perspective, in India, life in a big city is not worth-living. Perhaps life in a hell would be better than the life in a big city at present.
Villages and cities make India India is primarily a land of villages. The real India can be seen in villages not in cities. much less in big cities. Two or three decades ago. life in a big city like Allaha bad. Bombay or Calcutta was a happy one and those persons who lived in villages always yearned for city life. But now the conditions of living in cities or big cities have deteriorated so much that one would like to go to any ordinary village if he or she could have the same income and the same work. The reason of this deterioration is the rising price of commodities of daily life. During the last one or two decades the villagers have shifted from their personal homes to cities and have settled down there. Consequently, the population of cities has multiplied and they are overcrowded. The problem of house accommodation has become acute in cities.
Advantages of a big city-Facility for education
Life in a big city has some advantages. In a big city, there is very kind of facility for education. Any kind of education, liberal or vocational is within the reach of the persons living in big cities. An ordinary man living in a big city can afford that education for his children which a rich man in a village cannot afford easily. Good and will-equipped education institutions are the permanent assets of big cities. A boy
or girl living in a big city has a better general knowledge than a village boy or girl has and is well-informed about the affairs of the world. This, a city-born and city-bred child is more enlightened than a child born and brought up in rural atmosphere.
Medical facilities
Life in big city is free from ailments and diseases because ample medical facilities are available there. Hospitals, well-equipped with latest medical instruments are the source of mental relief to every person living in big city. In addition to the Government hospitals, we find well qualified and highly competent private medical practitioners in big cities. Such facilities are not available to any person at any cost in a village.
Means of recreation-Life in big city is not dull and drab be cause there are countless means of recreation there. The picture houses, theaters, the beautifully illuminated markets, the well-furni shed and well-maintained hotels and restaurants, the charming parks and gardens and the good-looking and heart-captivating towns of new-styled buildings give immense pleasure to everybody living in a big city. From time to time exhibitions, conferences, functions, semi nars, symposia, sports meet and test matches are held in big cities which add colour and variety to the city life.
The problem of security-Life in a big city is more secure be cause there are considerable avenues of employment here. In a village, the people depend on agriculture for livelihood but in a big city, one can find employment in factories, mills, private shops, Government offices and educational institutions. One should have tact and initiative; a big city is full of employment for him or her.
Disadvantages of a big city
Life in a big city has many dis advantages, too, and particularly in the modern India in the year 1970. The remark of the English poet, Cooper, “God made the country and man made the town” is cent percent correct. Life in a big city is artificial and sophisticated because man is away from nature. He lives, develops and dies in the lap of artificiality. He does not come to know how a waterfall dance, how a river glides smoothly, how the cowherd drives his cattle and how the nature herself nourishes her countless children through various agencies. In a big city, man is cut-off from nature.
Life is unhealthy
Life in a big city is exceedingly unhealthy. Here men live like pigeons in holes. The filthy and nasty atmosphere makes life insecure. The smoke coming out of chimneys pollutes the nature purity of atmosphere day and night. Fresh air, golden sun light and clean water are rare in a big city. Here men live on tinned food and lip-sympathy with the result that his body and soul be come hollow from within.
Life in a big city and rising prices and dearth of food stuff-Life in a big city during the recent pass has gone from had to worse. Here tasteless American wheat is to be eaten; dirty smoke is to inhale
nasty water is available to drink, showy clothes are to be put on, fraudulent persons are to deal with, skimmed milk is sold, obscene posters are seen and tall talks are heard. Hence life in a big city is dominated by artificiality. The rising prices have created many problems for a middle class man in a big city. For him, now it is a question of existence. Besides the rising prices, everybody in a big city is groaning under the dual weight of tax and sex. In a big city, the majority of persons have empty pockets and vain show. They, therefore, do not enjoy the real peace of mind. There is too much rush in life here. From morning till evening, a man is required to work like a machine. Owing to this rush of life, heart-attacks have become very common in cities.
Conclusion
In-spite of some advantages of city life. I would prefer small and unsophisticated village to a big city. Man is always happier in the lap of nature than he is under the artificial shadow. of modern amenities. John Milton, a city-born and city-bred per son, being tried of the hurry and worry of city life went to a village named Horten and passed seven years of his precious life there in order to quench in thirst for the beauties of nature.