Self Reliance for Sustainable living

‘Sustainable’ is the Global perspective & Perception in existence now.
Green thinking and concepts is in horde. With this growing need of perpetual thinking processes many conference and events are held with numerous endless discussions but intangible results.
In my opinion, in this Globalised world its time for youth to ‘GO LOCAL’ than ‘GO GLOBAL’, Young people can be a tremendous source of energy in forming the bridge between the ‘Local skill based practice’ and the ‘Global Industry’. 

To explain the role of Youth, first I would like to brief up the opportunities areas where actually is need and demand of sustainability. The local skilled base practice is referred to the now Handicraft Industry, which was once known as skill based livelihoods of rural communities. Which not only generated a means of communication, work and a cash flow through ‘barter’ system but even borne the identity of the community and thus form the nexus in the cultural diverse society. Today, hand crafted products are used more like a decorative product rather than utility product but when this crafts was originated it had a utility value to it. It was so well designed that it had an aesthetic appeal which made it possible to still flow in the human production and consumption cycle. The utility products were replaced by cheap machine made goods, leaving crafts utility behind but its beauty survived. For example, Kutch, Gujarat, Metal bell crafts are tools of communication amongst the cattle herd and its owner but also in high demand for interior décor’ products. Pottery still finds its way in Indian houses and is held in high regards. In middle class family, which still forms the majority of Indian population, the wooden furniture and accessories comes from carpenter or craftsmen but rarely from an Industry. Almost all the handmade convention is not just the identity of the communities but is remarkable of a culture and its observances. If one intrigue into this it will uncover many stories and myth associated with such tradition.
 

Various communities in India like Black Smith, Weavers, Potters, Embroiderers, etc still live in a cluster and the production pattern is viable and least harms the ecology. Such skill was exercised since many decades and was in harmony with its natural geographic conditions and its people. If one really wants to sustain the 

production and consumption then three points to remember would be as follows:
1. Eco-friendly; 2. Production friendly; 3. Deliverables to Customer satisfaction.
 

Hand made skills is one such promising area for youth which can be a feasible and lucrative industry. Being youth is being a reservoir of energy and it should be used constructively in shaping up tomorrow’s prospect. They should be a risk taker and not a driver in safe mode. Perspective and perception has to be lead with a clear vision of making the change visible & effective.
People have to get into the small detailing which forms the backbone of any model. They should reframe the local practice and make it a supportable Industry that generates skills for livelihood and better living. They should follow the GOING LOCAL mantra.
Promotion of local market can be achieved by supporting the local crafts, local vegetable market, local shops and local cultural rituals, which will tune the strength of the place & people. The localized strength will collectively form the new culture of ecological practice and which shall not commit the same mistake that was committed by the globalised society. The resources have to be created and made. The depleting resources have to be replenished by being responsible. A lot can be done with creative thinking and design.
In past a lot of issues and drama were created over plastic waste but how many people actually thought of recycling it into a creative product, only few industries and organisations to name. Plastic bags are banned but still in use in many countries. India is one of them. Khamir (www.khamir.org) is one such organisation in India,
which is reusing plastic polythenes in weaving and is producing stationary folders, bags and dairies.
Many such examples and ideas can be thought and initiated. One has to think small before making it big.
CCS Project- Carbon Capture Storage project, which is an eco friendly energy utilisation, is one of many big movements that are carried out in Australia. Youth should be aware of such new technologies and support so as to start with such initiatives.
On School and Institutional level bicycle should be the only two-wheeler that should be allowed for the students. Thus, it would minimize the fuel use and also cut down the pollution. The young generation must be conscious of judicious use of energy and should go for renewable resources. Every individual should live life not at an expense of future generation and should conserve the resources for the coming age. Sustainable development is a movement and holds lot of opportunities. It’s a vast area of research and development, which has to be persevered by the peer. Social to environment every area has to be covered by the youth for the total impact in the cycle.
To conclude, Youth has to change their measuring index from Gross National Product to Gross National Happiness as per the Bhutanese ethic.Community living & local skill based work should be promoted and youth can carry this well by volunteering such causes and activities. The focus should be clear that whatever is being done should be in unison. Individual must obtain the ‘Gandhi’ philosophy of Self Reliance. The preferment of cottage industry and formation of Institution where practical knowledge and learning is imparted is the necessity of present. Such movement are required by youth, which can create and spread the mass awareness regarding the growing sensitive issues. If individual could prepare at least one student, who cannot avail education then that again adds to the productivity of the country’s development. Intangible and tangible areas both have to be coordinated and bargained