Northern India is reeling under an unprecedented heat wave that made the last week of March seem like the last week of June. It was an unexpected 43 degrees Celsius in parts of Rajasthan and 40 degrees in Delhi on March 31, throwing life and living completely out of gear. Travellers were caught in a heat trap; people from the plains have been warned of a tortuously long summer with the possibility of a weak, inadequate monsoon. Has the government prepared itself for this onslaught, one that will most certainly affect human productivity? There are bound to be enormous shortages of water and electricity. This will lead to despair, new illnesses caused by viruses that flourish in a hot climate, and the accompanying sense of hopelessness and debilitation.
Water conservation is another subject that requires serious reflection. Non-governmental organizations have had to clamour for it in order to get the government to take notice. Using water prudently and ensuring clean water for everyone are essential for living a life of dignity. The reign of the babu has, over the decades, created a corrupt and ineffective system which has corroded both intangible values and material progress.
For years, newfangled, culturally-alien ideas have been forced upon long-suffering Indians. They have been burdened with obsolete practices that Western societies no longer follow. Carelessly introducing elements that work in other cultures, without consider whether they would have any place in one's own culture, can only backfire. A nation that inherently knows how to live in harmony with the environment has been forced to follow untenable models from other societies.
Better future
Developing expertise in the traditional techniques of harvesting water and agriculture had made India a civilization to be reckoned with. The planned cities of Mohenjodaro and Harappa, the intricately-patterned stepwells that conserve water - all of these prove that Indians had invented urban systems that worked under all kinds of climatic constraints and pressures. The clarity of purpose, construction and design, as well as the symbiotic connection with the environment, all came together to create something magnificent, something that attracted people from across the world to India. The subcontinent was not merely a hub of trade and culture, it was also known for its languages, philosophies, sciences and technologies. From complicated weaving looms to metal casting, everything created here was of an unparalleled calibre.
In the year 2017, we need a leadership that is willing to infuse relevant, scientific truths into a contemporary, modernized framework. For example, Indians have been the masters of herbal and natural remedies and cures in the area of medicine. Why do our government health schemes depend on allopathy first? Allopathy and modern medicine are imperative for complicated diseases; for other ailments, natural cures often work best. Natural medicine also has properties that prevent illnesses. Raw turmeric, for example, cleanses the blood and helps build immunity.
There is almost always an alternative, natural remedy for every man-made medicine. This is true of other substances as well - building materials, woven fabrics and colour dyes. Multinational companies hate to admit this truth. Many of their drugs are poisoning us. Therefore, the government must make alternative remedies available to the people. Citizens must have the right to choose the kind of medication they prefer. Alternative medicine must be available on market shelves. We must not suffer from a lack of choice and alternatives. This is crucial for a dignified future.
