No biscuits? The Moon and Mars affordable.

"The HSBC India Manufacturing PMI (Purchasing Managers' Index) stood at 57.5 in October 2024, compared with the flash estimate of 57.4 and after September's reading of 56.5. Output growth accelerated amid favorable market conditions, with new orders rising at a rate stronger than the average in nearly 20 years." MC. "HSBC India Services PMI was revised higher to 58.5 in October 2024 from a flash estimate of 57.9, following a final reading of 57.7 in September, which was the lowest in over a year. It marked the 39th consecutive month of expansion in services activity, and faster than expectations of 58.3, driven by robust sales and strong demand conditions." Rise of both manufacturing and services should indicate a rising consumer demand but, "The urban slowdown within the domestic fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) market that has hurt the financial performance of most majors in the September quarter is due to rising house prices and low wage hikes, Britannia's vice chairman and MD Varun Berry said." FE. Britannia is known for its biscuits. "There is now a recognition that the depressed demand might contribute to overall slowdown in the prospects for growth in the economy. Despite the festival season, there doesn't seem to have been much of a revival." Because, "very low levels of income for most people continues to be characteristic of the Indian economy," wrote Dipa Sinha. Low demand along with higher output should mean a fall in prices but, "Year-on-year inflation rate based on All India Consumer Price Index (CPI) for the month of October is 6.21%." Food price inflation rose to 10.87% (Provisional) in October. pib.gov.in. Higher spending on food means people are forced to cut down on other expenses. Conditions must be so bad that, "In a bid to boost demand, industry lobby group CII has proposed that the Centre issue 'consumption vouchers' to citizens in the lower income group, which can be used to buy specified goods and services within six-eight months, while also recommending a 40% hike in daily wages under MGNREGA and a 33% increase for PM-KISAN beneficiaries." TOI. "For the past 15 years, incomes of ordinary Indians - those between the top 15% and 50% of the population - are stagnating. Over 120 million people between 18 and 35 are neither in education nor in employment." "The average resident of UP and Bihar continues to earn less than the average Bangladeshi or Nepali," wrote Rathin Roy. However, we can still reach for the Moon and Mars. "Experts around the world have marvelled at how little Indian Space Research Organisation's (ISRO) Moon, Mars and solar missions have cost. India spent $74 million on the Mars orbiter Mangalyaan and $75 million on last year's historic Chandrayaan-3 - less than $100 million spent on the sci-fi thriller Gravity." BBC. We may not afford biscuits but the Moon could be made of green cheese (wikipedia). And it's free.