Window Seat | Mrinal Chatterjee | 25.10.2020
Gandhian Model of Environmentalism
Mahatma Gandhi never used the words environment protection,
but his writings are replete with remarks on the excesses of industrial
society, growing greed- leading to the possible destruction of human
civilization.
Gandhi never used the word development. The word was first
used by the US president Harry S Truman in 1949. Yes, people often talk of the
Gandhian model of development. But if such a model is genuinely Gandhian then
it is not about development. As sociologist and thinker Asish Nandy said in an
interview, “All social change is not development. The fundamental aspects of
development—for example unending industrialisation, unending urbanisation,
unending consumption—are not justifiable according to the Gandhian way.
Gandhiji strongly believed that hedonism associated with globalised capitalism
is not conducive to human happiness”.
Mahatma Gandhi’s critique of
modernity reveals his concern about the emergence of a social order that
exploits nature for short-term gains. Troubled by unrestricted industrialism
and materialism, Gandhi had foreseen a time when the resources of the earth
will not be enough to meet the growing demands of the people. He had
written widely about the need for human beings to exercise restraint with
respect to the use of natural resources. His “counter-thinking” is now
increasingly becoming a mainstream thought (he is referred to in all
international environment summits) with greater awareness of the environmental
problems.
When it comes to environmental sustainability, human greed is
the major threat. Gandhi had famously said: “The Earth has enough
resources for our need but not for our greed.” A market-driven capitalistic
system fuels the greed in human beings and propels more and more consumption-
more often than not at the cost of environment- loss of natural resources,
bio-diversity, and ecological balance.
Population explosion, mass poverty, over-utilization of
renewable resources, overuse of fertilizers leading to water pollution, rapid
industrialization, global warming, desert formation, deforestation, emission of
harmful substances causing air pollution, industrial and synthetic wastes, and
nuclear hazards that are more man-made in nature are all causing irreparable
damages to our planet. Many of these problems are attributed to uncontrolled
industrialization. The air pollution has resulted in a wide spectrum of morbid
conditions such as acute respiratory and eye-related problems to chronic
respiratory, cardiovascular mortalities and cancers.
Gandhi in his seminal work, Hind Swaraj, written over a hundred years ago in 1909
warned of the dangers the world is facing today in the form of environmental
destruction and the threat to the planet. The Gandhian idea becomes still more
relevant when sustainable growth and development is to be achieved because he
emphasized on production by the masses instead of mass production. According to
him this will result in the development of an economic system that can minimize
environmental degradation and achieve sustainable development. His idea of
Swaraj or self-rule enables a practical sustainable development that can be
implemented without compromising the quality of life.
Gandhi had emphasized the importance of natural resources and
its conservation. This has a direct bearing on the man-and-environment
relationship.
The importance of Gandhian philosophy is well-felt in the
present period in which the lifestyle of human beings has been developed in a
direction of high consumerism and generation of waste. This has a two-way
impact on nature. Firstly, the rate of depletion of resources has increased
tremendously, and secondly, the presence of toxicity in air, water and soil has
increased.
Gandhi was influenced by Jainism, which looks at nature as a
living entity and exhorts human beings to continually purify themselves by
respecting diverse life forms. The Gandhian idea of satya and ahimsa can be
useful to reduce the greed of the individual and society.
The concept of Sarvodaya is also similar to that of a
sustainable development and forms a part of environmental ethics. Gandhi's
vision of Sarvodaya, implies a healthy development and environment that can be
evolved by man to ensure his harmonious existence with nature and other living
beings.
We need to heed the voices of Gandhi now, and act accordingly
before it is too late- if we care about our children, and about the future of
the planet.
Devi Durga in Thanjavur painting
Thanjavur (anglicised as Tanjore) painting is a classical South Indian painting style which
draws its name from Thanjavur town, Tamil Nadu.
The art form draws its immediate resources and inspiration from
way back about 1600 AD, a period when the Nayakas of Thanjavur under the
suzerainty of the Vijayanagara Rayas encouraged art—chiefly, classical dance
and music—as well as literature, both in Telugu and Tamil and painting of Hindu
Gods and Goddesses in temples. It is distinguished by its famous gold coating.
However, it can safely be surmised that Thanjavur painting, as
we know it now, originated in the Maratha court of Thanjavur (1676–1855).
Thanjavur paintings are characterised by rich and vivid colors,
simple iconic composition, glittering gold foils overlaid on delicate but
extensive gesso work and inlay of glass beads and pieces or very rarely
precious and semi-precious gems. In Thanjavur paintings one can see the
influence of Deccani, Vijayanagar, Maratha and even European or Company styles
of painting.
Although Thanjavur paintings usually have Hindu Gods and
Goddesses as subjects, there are also many
instances from the history when Jain, Sikh, Muslim, other religions and even
secular subjects were depicted in Tanjore paintings.
Tail-piece: Lockdown laughs
1. Having practiced lethargy for 8 months, I am ready for audition for the first season of "Indian Idle"
2. I started a new
hobby - gardening.
I planted myself before the TV and I have grown noticeably
3. The lockdown is
like the movie Dabangg.
Doesn't make any sense, but sequels keep getting made
4. Without access
to a barber, I look barbaric.
The more I stay at
home, the more homeless I look.
***
A journalist turned media
academician Mrinal Chatterjee lives in Dhenkanal, Odisha. He has co-edited an anthology
of essays titled Gandhi as A Journalist and Editor. The odia version of the
book is being published shortly. mrinalchatterjeeiimc@gmail.com
.
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