<P> The economic significance of the monsoon is aptly described by Pranab Mukherjee's remark that the monsoon is the "real finance minister of India". A good monsoon results in better agricultural yields, which brings down prices of essential food commodities and reduces imports, thus reducing food inflation overall . Better rains also result in increased hydroelectric production . All of these factors have positive ripple effects throughout the economy of India . </P> <P> The down side however is that when monsoon rains are weak, crop production is low leading to higher food prices with limited supply . As a result, the Indian government is actively working with farmers and the nation's meteorological department to produce more drought resistant crops . </P> <P> D. Subbarao, former governor of the Reserve Bank of India, emphasized during a quarterly review of India's monetary policy that the lives of Indians depend on the performance of the monsoon . His own career prospects, his emotional well - being, and the performance of his monetary policy are all "a hostage" to the monsoon, he said, as is the case for most Indians . Additionally, farmers rendered jobless by failed monsoon rains tend to migrate to cities . This crowds city slums and aggravates the infrastructure and sustainability of city life . </P> <P> In the past, Indians usually refrained from traveling during monsoons for practical as well as religious reasons . But with the advent of globalization, such travel is gaining popularity . Places like Kerala and the Western Ghats get a large number of tourists, both local and foreigners, during the monsoon season . Kerala is one of the top destinations for tourists interested in Ayurvedic treatments and massage therapy . One major drawback of traveling during the monsoon is that most wildlife sanctuaries are closed . Also, some mountainous areas, especially in Himalayan regions, get cut off when roads are damaged by landslides and floods during heavy rains . </P>

The sailors of which country had used the word monsoon first of all