Table of Content:
1.0 Introduction
2.0 Promoting small businesses
3.0 Agricultural progress
4.0 Environmental safety methods
5.0 Conclusion
6.0 References
Introduction
The Asian country ‘India’ well-known for its rich heritage, splendid culture and nostalgic traditions is under heavy lockdown because of the global pandemic 2020. India has always been known for its democratic rights for the citizens of the country, vegetarian food consumption by majority Indians and the spread of education that has been so widespread over the years. But it’s not incorrect to say that India is also known for its overpopulation, increasing pollution especially in the major Indian cities and the poor condition of the farmers and laborers. India has been a victim in the hands of religion, caste system and politics which has made it very difficult for the country to achieve things that it would have achieved a long time back.
Success comes not only with accomplishment but also with how a country manages to change the mindset of the people. Progression is led by progressive thinking, constructive ideas and imaginations turning into reality and the wisdom of the government in changing the outlook of the society. Pandemic 2020 is certainly an ice breaker for the whole world to take a plunge in the areas of sustainability for the preservation of the environment and the protection of the natural resources. Man has over the years exhausted the resources and exploited the environment and it’s high time that something needs to be done about it.
A lot of countries have taken the path of sustainable living and a healthy lifestyle, including nations like China, India and Bangladesh who indeed have not left any stone unturned in raising the awareness about the environmental safety and educating people about it. The governments of the developing and the underdeveloped nations have also reformed their laws and regulations to protect the wildlife, nature and heritage of these countries. It is definitely going to take a while before the rules and regulations are implied and acted upon, but the initial steps have already been taken which is like a ray of hope for us as citizens of the world.
Promoting small businesses
India constitutes of a number of villages along with the urban areas. These villages and the small cities have been famous for their sustainable textile practices like small handicraft businesses, reinvention of materials like ‘Khadi’ and jute in clothes and use of simple hand painting methods, hand-made embroidery and traditional pottery for the creation of garments, home textiles and home décor items.
The small businesses have been exploited, especially after the huge success of malls in the cities and marketing of the big brands and designer labels for more than a decade now. But the government has started promoting and marketing these small businesses laying the importance on the simple inventions with less waste and no complex technology which is better than large factories creating a lot of waste and products that are not high in sustainability standards.
By promoting small businesses, the government has also created employment opportunities for rural people with creativity and artistry attributes in fields like painting, carpentry, sewing and stitching and craftsmanship. This is certainly a great step towards eradicating the social class distinction and unemployment. The government has also been providing subsidies and pieces of equipment at a low cost to the people undertaking small businesses.
Agricultural progress
Agriculture is still the main occupation of more than 70% of the Indian population today. But today also there are thousands of farmers who die every year in India due to hunger, exploitation and poverty. This is undeniably a very sad reality and a shameful thing for India.
But today several states in India have made progress with regards to revising their ‘Land Leasing Acts’ with the help of ‘NITI Aayog’. The ‘National Mission of Sustainable Agriculture’ (NMSA) under the national action plan on climate change is working very hard towards improving the impact of climate change and increasing agricultural productivity. 652 agricultural technological management agencies have been established across India for the provision of the latest technologies to the farmers. The developments like horticulture, livestock farming and fishery have enhanced productivity.
The incomes of farmers have increased since 2016 to prevent suicide rates in farmers due to poverty or low income. Various workshops are being set up every year in the rural areas to educate farmers in implementing new innovative methods in agriculture and they are provided with the latest technologies in farming which could increase their efficiency, thereby increasing productivity. Organic farming is slowly but gradually spreading its importance in various cities of India and people are becoming more and more aware of the health hazards due to the consumption of unhealthy process foods and also how risky it is for the environment too.
Environmental safety methods
It’s quite noteworthy that the Indian government has been taking a lot of protection measures and implementing the laws and regulations for the preservation of the environment. In 2019, the Indian government implemented the ‘National Clean Air Program’ for the prevention and control of air pollution besides supplementing the air quality monitoring network across the country.
India has implemented the policy ‘Swacch Bharat Abhiyan’ for the cleaning and sanitation of the whole country by collecting volunteers from every community and society to take part in the cleaning process.
A huge project ‘Namami Ganges Mission’ was first initiated to clean one of the holiest rivers of the country, the ‘Ganges’. But the project has been improvised and advanced to take up more tasks like cleaning of all the major rivers of India which is very harmful and unfit for human consumption due to industrial pollution, sewage tribulations and unfit activities by humans and the animals. The rivers are being cleaned by improving its quality and taking into consideration the conservation of the ecosystem.
‘National policy on Resource Efficiency’ (RE) has implemented the measures for various major sectors for the efficient use of the resources.
Conclusion
Very soon, India will be on the path of sustainability as it has already started taking initiatives for the protection of the environment and the wellbeing of the citizens of the country. Manpower is the strength of the country and there is a hope that with the new reforms being executed by the government, the country will be very competent when it comes to the use of resources, manufacturing and increasing the productivity of farmers and laborers. India is built with the hard work of small artisans, peasants and manual workers and the new reforms have elevated their occupation; which makes it evident that India is too at par with if not ahead in terms of the ideologies and reforms of the first world nations.
References:
https://pib.gov.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=191192
https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/content/documents/15836India.pdf
https://www.bottegaspa.com/en/sustainability/our-inspiration/
http://www.prakati.in/draft-national-resource-efficiency-policy-released/
http://maharastra.newstrust.in/2013/12/national-mission-for-sustainable.html
https://www.indiatoday.in/education-today/jobs-and-careers/story/art-craft-356171-2016-12-07
https://www.tripsavvy.com/places-to-buy-handicrafts-india-1539690
https://mittalsouthasiainstitute.harvard.edu/handicraft-livelihood-creation-project/
Shanti Arunkumar, Senior Contributor At L’Aquila Active
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