INDIAN FAMINES - Institute for Social and Economic Change

EXEOUTIVE MANAGEMENT. 181
physical character, it is probable that the works
undertaken will be of service hereafter. "Large"
is rather vague, and depends more on the relative
sense in which it is used than on the absolute
meaning which can be extracted from it.
The area affected by the present famine is
"large," no doubt, but the meaning I wish to
convey will be gathered as we proceed.
It is of no use to enumerate the different kinds
of relief-works which may be inaugurated-they
will necessarily much depend on local features j
but a canal, a railway, a road, irrigation-tanks,
and so forth, will be available as a basis of
operations in large areas, while in smaller areas
these cannot be undertaken-in fact, it is evident
that they cannot be made at> every man's door
for his especial benefit, in order that he may be
saved the trouble of trudging a few miles daily,
or of temporarily leaving his home. I cannot
help expressing the opinion that if famine attack
the land, it is absurd to think that the
people should not be put to some inconvenience j
but it would even appear in this famine, that
some people have found their lines fallen in
pleasanter places than a year of plenty ever