Aparigraha the Humane Solution

Author(s): Kamla Jain
Publisher: Parshwanath Vidyapith

Page 50

APARIGRAHA - THE HUMANE SOLUTION
The task for those who are concerned about environmental degeneration is to inculcate the idea that sustainable development is the only answer so that natural eco systems that support life on earth are not endangered.
Meaning of development
The term 'development' is used very injudiciously in the modern context. The concept of industrialisation has become so hypnotising that we are not able to see anything other than this as development, even if this leads to more destruction than construction. Industrialisation has put us in a kind of 'dogmatic slumber' from which we are unable to awake. This is true about the western world and seems equally true in the Indian context.
42
This term as it is understood at present does not occur in early Indian classical literature, it is not seen even in Gandhian literature. In the west also it does not have a very old history. All over the world it is just taken as a synonym for industrialisation. The rest of the things that are related with development such as building roads, schools, education, health etc. have become secondary aspects. It is industrialisation that gets priority, and it alone continues at a speedy rate.
Actually 'development' should mean an effort on the part of the society, where its members work for each other, so that its members can live a contented life within their own life style. It does not mean the life style should be static and not permit any change. Changes do take place but within a system of tradition, where much weightage is not given to the idea that one life- style is better than the other or a western life-style is superior to the Indian way of life. Changes or development should emerge from within the environment of the country and should not be borrowed from somewhere else if these do not fit in the given surroundings.
Our concern for environment in India
The first international conference on environment was held in 1972 in Stockholm, it was attended by Mrs. Indira Gandhi, our then