Inflation isn’t just a number. Since it affects the way people live, it has an emotional value, too. For people living below the poverty line, inflation is a curse. Inability to cope with an increased cost of living sometimes separates once-happy families — and in extreme cases triggers suicides. This social aspect of inflation makes it a far more important economic indicator than others. Political governments do realise it and make efforts to keep inflation in check. But that often becomes a daunting task because of the complex relationship between inflation, employment and economic growth. Creating additional jobs to reduce poverty is not possible without pushing up economic growth. And, higher economic growth cannot be achieved without letting prices of goods and services move up.