Have you ever wondered if ancient stories hold the key to today’s environmental challenges?
The epics Ramayana and Mahabharata showcase three fascinating ideologies that resonate with modern-day sustainability:
Prakriti (Harmony with Nature) – Think of Kishkinda, where the environment thrived.
Vikruti (Materialism) – Imagine Lanka, a city of golden splendor but at a great ecological cost.
Sanskriti (Balance and Sustainability) – Look to Ayodhya, where economic growth and environmental harmony coexisted.
Fast forward to today and these ideologies are alive in the form of Environmentalism, Materialism, and Sustainabilism. Each represents a different approach to how we interact with our planet.
Nature: The World’s Best Engineer
Nature is not just beautiful—it’s brilliant. Consider the humble kingfisher. Its beak, designed to reduce splash as it dives into water, inspired the nose of Japan’s Shinkansen bullet train. The result? A train that is 10% faster, 15% more energy-efficient and whisper-quiet.
This is biomimicry—designing solutions by learning from nature. And it doesn’t stop with trains. Imagine industries where waste isn’t an afterthought but a resource:
Trees use soil bacteria to fix nitrogen.
Fallen trees become food for fungi.
Fungi feed insects, which in turn sustain larger creatures like hawks.
In nature, nothing goes to waste and every by-product serves a purpose.
Can our industries learn to do the same?
Reimagining Industrial Systems
Creating industrial systems that mimic nature’s cycles might sound complex, but the rewards are immense—both environmentally and economically.
Selective Synthesis: Just as nature produces precise chemicals, industries can use advanced technologies like nanocatalysts and enzyme engineering to convert agricultural waste into high-value chemicals.
Food Waste Transformation: Starch from food processing waste can be extracted and converted into bio-products, creating new revenue streams.
Plastic Waste as Construction Material: Compacting non-recyclable plastic and using it as a filler in construction could solve multiple problems: managing plastic waste, reducing construction costs and supporting a circular economy.
The Way Forward: From Vikruti to Prakriti
We stand at a pivotal moment in history. Our actions today—whether as individuals or industries—will shape the future of our planet. By rekindling our sanskriti (the balance of life), we can transition from vikruti (excess) to prakriti (harmony).
Achieving this isn’t a distant dream; it’s a collective journey. And with every small step, we can edge closer to a future where growth, prosperity, and environmental harmony coexist.
Written by:
Dr. Saurabh C. Patankar &
Mr. Kunal K. Godambe
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