The concept of binary between the self and the other does not exist in Bharatiya belief system which professes that all forms of life emanate from and return to the same source. Moreover, human body is considered to be comprising of five elements of nature itself called Pancha Bhuta: Prithvi (earth), Jal (water), Agni (fire), Vayu (air), and Askash (space). In Prashna Upanishad, these elements are considered manifestations of the divine energy. Therefore, there is no scope for the binary between the internal and the external in Bharatiya culture. Since this faith deeply pervaded our thought process and practices, we emphasised on self-consciousness instead of external consciousness. Moreover, this belief system is non-dogmatic and promotes the idea that all human and non-human entities are integral to nature. Contrarily, in the Western culture, the nature is seen as “other” and it exists for domination and exploitation. However, for Indians, connecting with nature implies linking with ourselves for nurturing mother earth for sustainability. Thus Indian civilizational ethos has potential to resolve cataclysmal climate change issues.
Nevertheless, under the toxic influence of the colonial mind-set inculcated through Macaulay’s education system, we look at Indian Knowledge System with suspicion and often discard it as uncivilised, unscientific and outdated. Current environmental crisis is also a creation of such a mind-set. The over-exploitation of natural resources for satisfying our greed and utter disregard to non-human life forms and earthly features have become an anathema of the products of modern education system. Thus, natural resources, conserved through generations owing to interconnectedness mindset with all manifestations of nature are under extreme stress.
The advent of eco-conscious PM Narendra Modi, at this critical juncture, is icebreaking in the socio-economic and political discourse of humankind. PM Modi’s global engagements, be it bilateral, regional or multilateral, have climate concern at its core. Climate crisis has become an indispensable part of India’s foreign policy and diplomacy, and is being appreciated globally. His efforts to mitigate climate crisis revolve around restoring the very Indian way of interaction between humans and nature for their survival and progeny. Plethora of programs initiated by him to mitigate climate crisis are intended to restore eco-friendly traditional practices. He firmly believes that the utmost need of the hour is the mindful and judicious utilization of natural resources, instead of mindless and selfish consumption. His actions for the last one decade for rejuvenating holistic ecosystem for ‘Survival and Happiness of All’ make him a true representative of our civilizational history.
Today, India of the 21st century, under the visionary leadership of PM Modi, is taking quantum leap in combating climate crisis with ambition, courage, commitment, conviction and a consciously drawn roadmap. PM Modi’s stand on global platform for combating climate crisis has greatly influenced world view. He firmly believes that collective human action is a must to safeguard nature. India has become the only country to meet its Paris Agreement ahead of schedule. Path-breaking disruptions like International Solar Alliance, One-Sun-One-World-One-Grid Project, Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure for climate adaptation, green credit, Smart city project and International Big Cat Alliance have been appreciated globally. India is implementing world’s largest Renewable Energy expansion programme envisaging a five-fold increase in the overall RE capacity. PM Modi is leading the global climate movement upfront and the world is ready to be led by India in its fight against climate change.
Factually, India’s per capita carbon footprint is 60% lower than the global average because our lifestyle, to an extent, is still rooted in sustainable traditional practices. Intended to amplify climate-friendly behavioural changes, PM Modi initiated ‘Lifestyle for Environment’ to become a mass movement for environmentally conscious lifestyle. Aimed at mobilizing people globally to become ‘Pro-Mother Earth’, collective contribution towards Mission LiFE is bound to become a robust safeguard for the climate in future. Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam launched recently is in fact a sequel to LiFE. Bharatiya Prakritik Krishi Paddhati Programme will help save soil and water bodies from chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Agro-waste and garbage management, Ban on single-use plastics and mandatory plastic waste processing, open defecation free villages, supply of gas stove to rural women, use of eco-friendly bag tags in the airports, maximizing the use of kulhad tea cups and mud diyas and minimizing the use of fire crackers will contribute hugely to Swachch Bharat Mission. Clean Air Programme will greatly help reduce the quantity of particulate matters in the range of PM2.5 and PM10 particle concentrations in the atmosphere.
PM Modi emphasized on the significance of green jobs and green growth in India’s efforts to combat climate change. Green Skill Development Programme is in vogue to develop green skills in youth and also to provide sustainable employment opportunities in the environmental conservation, renewable energy and forest sectors. India’s start-ups initiatives are in sync with the Climate Tech providing innovative and feasible solutions using environment-friendly alternatives. PM Modi has promulgated five nectars elements, ‘Panchamrit’ to deal with the current climate crisis. These are- to increase India’s non-fossil energy capacity to 500 GW by 2030, to meet 50 percent of its energy requirements from renewable energy by 2030, to reduce the total projected carbon emissions by one billion tonnes by 2030,
to reduce the carbon intensity of its economy by more than 45 percent by 2030, and to achieve the target of Net Zero by 2070.
PM Modi’s dream is to see India becoming a global leader in green hydrogen production. Thus, National Hydrogen Energy Mission has been launched to enable cost competitive green hydrogen production. The hydrogen fuel cell bus has already been launched. His resolve to achieve ‘Net Zero’ target by 2030 by Indian Railways alone may help reduce emissions by 60 million tonnes annually. Massive LED bulb campaign is already reducing emissions by 40 million tonnes annually. Solar power initiatives have helped in saving have-nots money alongside protecting the environment. Additionally, the emerging technologies like 2G Ethanol Pilot, Comfort climate box for tropical regions, Hydrogen Valleys, Heating and cooling virtual repository, are also on his agenda. India has also devised strategy for a Bio-based economy for facilitating infrastructure for Bio-manufacturing of low-carbon bio-based products.
During the last ten years, the number of wetlands and Ramsar sites in India have increased almost three times. Amrit Dharohar Yojana and Mishti Yojana would help protect and revive the mangrove ecosystem. Jal Jeevan Mission and proposed construction of 50,000 Amrit Sarovars are intended to ensure water security. Measures like a huge afforestation programme, reforming our transportation system and cleaning up villages, ponds, cities and rivers will accelerate climate crisis mitigation.
It is thus evident that India, under PM Modi, has positioned itself as a key global player in climate advocacy and in managing climate crisis. Eco-conscious PM Modi is leading internationally a new low-carbon approach to development and to demonstrate that India can solve global ecological crisis by reviving ancient Indian wisdom of land and water conservation and environmental preservation as a part of our civilizational ethos without compromising with development. In essence, PM Modi has streamlined energy decision-making vis-à-vis environmental decision-making processes. Moreover, PM Modi is committed to a sustainable path to Viksit Bharat@2047. Surely, he derives inspiration from the basic traits ingrained in our tradition and culture, the essence of which lies in ‘One Earth, One Family, One Future.’ Actually, he has become a brand Ambassador of our great civilizational culture which does not only consider earth merely a planetary body but “Mother to All”. Let us take a pledge to “Keep it Pure.” Erwin Schrödinger, inspired by Upanishadic ideas, connected quantum physics with Vedic philosophy for giving new direction to humanity. Today, Narendra Modi is blending Vedic wisdom with his political discourse for the welfare of humanity. This great initiative of PM Modi has tremendous potential to globally transform the future of humankind.
Raghavendra P. Tiwari, Vice Chancellor, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda.
