Yoga: The Ancient Panacea to Modern Maladies
Why international yoga day is celebrated on the 21st of June?
The 21st of June is the longest day in the northern hemisphere. From the point of view of yoga, this day has a special significance as well. It is believed that it is on this summer solstice day that Lord Shiva began imparting the knowledge of yoga to the world. This is the reason why the Prime Minister of India, Mr. Narendra Modi, recommended 21st June to be observed as the international yoga day.
Yoga: India’s gift to the world
Even before there was an official day dedicated to the practice of yoga, this ancient Indian practice was quite popular in the West as well as the other parts of the world. In fact, the introduction of yoga to the west can be traced back to Swami Vivekananda’s speech at the World Parliament of Religions in Chicago. Thereafter through the exchange of the people, ideas, and goods, yoga flourished beyond India.
Benefits in COVID19
Before I go into explaining how yoga can help during pandemics like COVID19, here is what I want to talk about.
How does a pandemic affect us? Apart from being a physical threat pandemic affects you mentally and emotionally. The constant fear of being infected, the continued concern about the wellbeing of your loved ones, and the nonstop news update on the rising numbers of those suffering from coronavirus infection – all this can take a major toll on one’s sanity. Add to this being confined in your homes with limited interaction with the outside world. The icing on the cake is the new trend of work from home (WFH). While on the one hand, WFH is the best solution to not only keep one occupied but also help stabilize the economy – there is no denying to the fact that working in an isolated atmosphere is pretty daunting.
It is in these conditions that we look for ways in which we can maintain our sanity and stay healthy and happy at the same. Yoga by virtue of being beyond just a physical exercise calms the mind, gives you the time and space for some soul searching, and most of all focuses on connecting with your own inner-self.
Apart from yogic practices like asanas and pranayamas, hatha yoga is something that even beginners can do and benefit.
One major complaint of every person WFH, in front of their computers, is that of backache. Long working hours in chairs that are not meant to give your back the much-needed support can lead to this condition. Yoga can rescue you from your pain. Bitiliasana also known as the cat-cow pose is the best move to get your back, back on track.
Sleeplessness is another major complaint in this lockdown period. Apart from meditation with om chanting, viparita karni or the legs-up the wall pose also is what you have to do get your sleep pattern regular. This pose not only relaxes you but improving the blood circulation throughout your body balances all your chakras.
I can perhaps write hundreds of words more on how yoga can help you overcome anxiety and stress. Yet the only thing which I want to highlight is that this is perhaps one of the most economically and no nonsensical way of bringing your health back on track.
|| Samatvam Yoga Uchyate ||
Uchyate = Said to be
Samatvam = Balanced state
The above-given line is from the Bhagavad Gita. Here Lord Krishna defines yoga as “a balanced state” of both body and mind.
If you think about it, balance is what we need in these rather daunting times. The year 2020 will go down as one of the most dreaded years in human history. A tiny virus has brought the entire human race on its knees. It has destroyed economies; it has exposed how fragile we all really are… and most all, the COVID19 pandemic has shown the need to balance the requirements of our body and mind.
I am glad that the discourse of international yoga day this year will no longer be about maintaining a healthy body. Rather what we all need is a change in our lifestyle and life choices. What makes this yoga day unique is also the fact that yogis from several parts of the globe will unite through virtual platforms and perform the best of the yoga asanas in tandem.
Watch: Mindful Yoga
Due to its benefits, many organizations encourage their employees to practice yoga on a daily basis. There are several companies that have one workday a week dedicated to practicing yoga with colleagues. This international yoga day is all about learning to go back to your roots and practicing the time tested ancient wisdom.
Happy yoga day to all of you.
Om Shanti, Shanti, Shanti!
Vocabulary
Bhagavad Gita: Also known as Gita or “Song of the Lord” is among the most important texts of Hinduism. Composed of 18 chapters with 700 verses, the Bhagavad Gita will lead to an understanding of God, truth, purpose, and liberation.
Om Shanti, Shanti, Shanti!: Recited at the end of a traditional yoga class or a Vedic prayer. The word Shanti is recited three times to pray for peace in the face of the three sources of suffering mentioned in the ancient Hindu scriptures. (The three sources of suffering are: i. of divine origin, ii. originated in the physical and material being, iii. created by ourselves.)
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My Mother My Teacher
Author: Divya Badri
Mother: The first to handhold you and teach you
On Mothers Day, let us look at just four kinds of mothers there are out there in this world :
- The Thinking Mother: She may be the one who philosophizes and writes poetry and teaches her child to appreciate Tagore. “Where the mind is without fear and the head is high…” and makes it the foundation of her child’s upbringing.
- The Caregiving Mother: She may be the one who takes on heavy caregiving responsibilities at home keeps track of the pantry is stocked, fridge being full, clean towels and toilets, bills paid and personal hygienes of all members in family maintained and ensures the first aid kit is always updated.
- The Verbal Mother: She teaches you to talk, she sings with you, she helps you with your homework. These language skills eventually will help you develop issues and discourses.
- The Sporty Mother: She either goes jogging with you or drives you to your weekly sports training. She does yoga with you and teaches you meditation techniques.
Watch: Mindfulness vs Yoga
A mother may be one of these or all these rolled into one for there are as many kinds of mothers as there are personality types in this world. More than a mother, does she play yet another role? As we get more and more involved in years of formal education that keeps us focussed for almost 15 years of our youth on daily school routines, tests, evaluations, let us take a moment to ask ourselves what the mission of a teacher is. It teaches a language to convey thought? Is it to teach socializing through interactive” process with fellow humans? Is it to get life skills? Is it to learn to be self- confident and independent? Is it to light the flame of critical thinking? Who plays an important role in a person’s social and professional prospects?
Who really is our teacher?
If she lights the flame of critical thinking, curiosity, and self–confidence to become independent humans, then clearly, the Mother is the first teacher. She instills liberal ideals in the child, that provides it with confidence in their own abilities, and the need for hard work to develop them tirelessly.
If a mother passes on these skills to her child, she teaches valuable life skills and the Mother is a teacher. Caregiving comes so many responsibilities that lead to invaluable skills that a Mother develops.
If she is involved in the development of her child’s physical and emotional development, creative thinking, and self-esteem, then the Mother is a teacher. Responsible for fostering her child’s socialization, she indirectly and directly contributes to the formation of an autonomous, free, and responsible person.
If a mother’s available for her child, she is likely to encourage the development of empathy and self-confidence in her child, since the child is receiving benevolent attention.
What are the learning outcomes you receive from a mother? Is it about knowledge learned (life skills, social skills, personal hygiene skills, etc.)? Or is it about demonstrating a good capacity to lead a globally coherent thinking process, with an analytical work that moves the reflection forward, the pleasure of thinking? Or is it about empathy and encouraging progress with openness and kindness? If it is about any of these or all of these, then certainly, a mother is to be credited as being the first teacher of her child. And the evaluation would be the end result of just being the adult you are. On Mother’s Day, we remember who our first teacher is and wish Mother, teacher a Happy Mother’s Day.
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World Migratory Bird Day: How Can We Protect Avian Migration?
Migratory birds are nothing less than nature’s miracle. As we observe the world migratory birds day, I find it fascinating to examine how India has been host to several migratory birds for centuries. By the virtue of its geographic location, India is a haven for several species of birds. While many of them fly thousands of kilometers to avoid harsh winters, several other bird species see India as a good habitat for breeding and raising their little ones. If you are new to India, you will be happy to know how each region of the country is home to a different variety of migratory birds.
As I move on to share my thoughts about these avian fellas, it strikes me how a single blog can perhaps do no justice to the various batches of birds taking flights to India. Yet, I am going ahead with presenting my thoughts and understanding of these beautiful winged creatures. It is interesting to see how the Indian government has identified and set up dedicated bird sanctuaries – it is almost like setting runways for the easy landing of the migratory birds. There are more than 50 bird sanctuaries in the country; I begin my journey into the avian ecology with the famous Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary, now known as Keoladeo National Park.
Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary: Heaven for Migratory Birds
A world heritage site now, the bird sanctuary was once a duck shooting venue for the British viceroys. For instance, on the fatal day of 12th Nov 1938, Viceroy Linlithgow and his hunting team shot down, 4273 birds using 39 guns. Imagine… so many birds being shot just for entertainment! Today instead of the gun firings, all you hear here is a cacophony of native as well as migratory birds.
The picture shared below is the records cast in stone in the Bharatpur bird sanctuary. Any visitor to the beautiful bird sanctuary can feel their blood curdle on seeing this grave imagining just how many more birds there should be. Extinction, no doubt, is a real issue – and turns out, is more of a human-made problem.
Among its noted avian guests to the Bharatpur bird sanctuary are the Siberian cranes. Also known as snow cranes, the endangered bird species, migrate to Bharatpur in the winters. Bar-headed goose, pelicans, teals, and mallards can also be spotted in this avifauna sanctuary.
Besides Bharatpur, Haryana’s Sultanpur bird sanctuary, Salim Ali bird sanctuary in Goa, Orissa’s Chilka Lake, and Kumarakom bird sanctuary in Kerala, also host several migratory birds each year. Nalsarovar in the state of Gujarat, the largest wetland of the state, is another beautiful place for spotting the migratory birds. From the rosy pelicans, purple moorhen, brahminy ducks, to the greater and lesser flamingos – Nalsorovar is a bird watcher’s paradise for sure.
Protecting Avian Migration
As I researched on migratory birds, their migration patterns, and other such interesting details – I also came across some hard facts like how pollution and other human activities are hampering the migration patterns of these birds. Migratory birds are part of our shared natural heritage. A dedicated day for migratory birds highlights the need for awareness and building ecosystems which makes flights easier for these birds.
The recent spotting of 150,000 flamingos in the bustling city of Mumbai, amid covid19 lockdown, made me think how much we have hampered the environment with our unsustainable activities.
There is a dire need to create awareness around ways in which we humans are causing the extinction of birds. From India to Europe, birds are falling dead from the sky.
Did you know the Giddh or the Long-billed Vulture (Gyps indicus) is going extinct because of Diclofenac? Who amongst us hasn’t used Diclofenac? Would you imagine something that we buy over the counter could critically threaten to birds?
Seeing the Indian vultures after ages with my own eyes jumpstarted me out of my own navel-gazing. They were seen often soaring above. They use their fantastic hooked bills to cleanly rip the flesh off the bones in carcasses. Often vilified in our human stories and cartoons, these fine birds are in great danger of extinction. One of the prime causes of decline being the use of Diclofenac, the common non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug used to treat livestock that kills these impressive vultures, when they feed on carcasses. The vultures then die of kidney failure. They are also dying due to hunger. There simply aren’t enough carcasses for the vultures to feed on, because humans use them for themselves!
The Indian government-imposed ban on Diclofenac from 2006 and the pharmaceutical firms was then encouraged to promote an alternative drug, which is proven to be safe for vultures and effective treatment for livestock. Unfortunately, the misuse of human forms of diclofenac in the veterinary sector remains a significant threat to vultures.
The theme of this year’s world migratory bird day is “Birds Connect Our World”. It is high time we spare a positive thought and act responsibly towards a sustainable future for all life forms, non-judgmentally. It’s up to us to stop navel-gazing and look up to get a bird’s eye view of things. For if the birds were to start judging us humans, even with their bird brains, it would not be a pleasant judgment.
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Flattening the Coronavirus Curve – Kerala Style
On the south-west corner of India, lies the lush state of Kerala. Well-known among travel enthusiasts for its greenery, the coconut and paddy fields, the seashore, pilgrimage centers, and relics of colonial architecture. For many others, Kerala stands out as one of the most literate states in India with its human development index on par with some of the most progressive countries in the world.
The state has been in news recently for some other reason though. It is for the manner in which Kerala not only tackled the coronavirus pandemic but also flattened the curve.
Read: How Sustainable are Our Cities in the Face of Coronavirus?
Kerala’s Coronavirus Story
As covid19 spread throughout the globe, India’s first positive case of coronavirus was traced back to Kerala – a medical student who returned from Wuhan. With a porous border and a huge number of expatriates traveling to and from the state, it hardly took any time for the coronavirus to spread and the curve to bulge high.
Two months down, Kerala has not only controlled the spread of the pandemic but has also flattened the curve. How did Kerala manage to do this? Who does one credit for this outstanding way of controlling the spread of the deadly virus? Is it the administrative system and the healthcare facilities? Or, is it due to the literacy rate of this state?
The simple answer is it is a combination of right governance, proactive civil society, and best healthcare facilities. Let us diagnose the role of each of these elements:
Turning Houseboats into Isolation Wards
No doubt the health facilities in Kerala are one of the best in the country. With at least two primary healthcare centers for every three villages, the extensive healthcare infrastructure turned out to be a boon for tackling the virus. What made Kerala stand out is the manner in which it tackled the high demand for isolation wards with coronavirus outbreak. While the Indian government transformed railway berths into isolation wards, Kerala turned its houseboats as isolation venues. Some nature therapy for those placed under isolation!
Constant monitoring, aggressive testing, and contact tracing emerged as the real game-changers in the fight against coronavirus.
Proactive Civil Society
Be it coronavirus or any other pandemic, a success story cannot be made without the proactive participation and support of the civil society. Adhering to self-imposed quarantine, accepting social distancing, and the wearing of masks, have been strongly followed in the state. To make the masses understand the severity of the situation, several self-help groups and NGOs came up with awareness campaigns on the importance of personal hygiene, cleanliness, and the need to maintain social distance.
Resident associations, youth organizations, and professional organizations all came together for the “Break the Chain” campaign – which got widespread popularity through social media feeds and videos.
Watch: Touchless Greetings
Governance Par Excellence
The true test of governance machinery is its ability to tackle situations like coronavirus outbreak. It is in such difficult times that the grit and leadership qualities of those in the position of power and authority come to the forefront. The governance model in Kerala follows the paradigm of an inverted pyramid – with village panchayats, municipalities, and local governing bodies having ample authority to make the impossible possible. This decentralized governance system enabled large-scale monitoring and testing of the citizens. Also, rather than getting into the panic mode, government bodies adopted the attitude of vigilance. Proper and regular communication about the coronavirus pandemic went a long way in building trust in the people.
Read: COVID-19 and It’s Impact On The 3 Pillars Of Sustainability
What Kerala model has proved is that it takes sheer resolve and robust administrative systems to fight Covid-19. While there has been a lot of coverage on how Kerala flattened the curve – one needs to keep in mind that this was not achieved overnight. Also, flattening the curve does not mean the pandemic does not exist anymore in the state. Rather, Kerala has lessons for people and governments around the world with its frugal innovation methods, community mobilization, and decentralized governance.
Mastering India gives you an insight into the rich culture and heritage of the world’s biggest democracy – India. At Mastering India we are driven towards building awareness around India and help you understand the growth opportunities in this country.
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Chakda: Technological Innovation in Rural India
By Himanshu Shukla
This is part one of our blog series on “Technological Innovations in Rural India”
As it is often said, “necessity is the mother of invention”. Talent can be found anywhere, and this is visible in the multipurpose modified Royal Enfield engine. They can be seen mostly in the Saurashtra region of Gujarat, India.
Earlier, old bikes ran on petrol, now diesel engines are also available in the market. When I visited my friend Ankur’s village Pedhla, near Jetpur city of Rajkot district in Gujarat; I was surprised to see how modified diesel engines were used by the locals. From the transportation of goods to conducting agricultural activities like ploughing and spraying of pesticides or fertilizers; modified diesel engines were used everywhere. It was even being used for commuting as well! The name given to this vehicle by people of Gujarat is Chakda and it’s been in Gujarat since the 1970s. I saw this as the best combination of creativity and sustainability in terms of its economical utilization.
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According to RTO (Regional Transport Office) of Rajkot, nearly 10,000 chakdas are moving on roads** and this number is very small considering the size of the state of Gujarat. However, its local availability makes it significant.
There are many reasons why chakda became the lifeline of rural Gujarat in India. During my exploration, I tried to figure it out by meeting the villagers. Why do they not prefer the usual small tractors, which are better designed for agricultural purposes? Why do they prefer chakda? How does chakda make their life easier?
To begin with, chakda has one big advantage over other vehicles available in the market is its adaptability. Even though a mini tractor is available in the market at a price range of Rs. 2 – 3 lakh, the problem arises with its associated parts. Add-ons are required for agriculture activities. If a person already has a cultivator or a plough, then it’s easy to reuse them with a chakda by welding. The mini tractor in comparison becomes a costly affair. One has to make a trip to the tractor company (which is usually far off) for modifications. The chakda, on the other hand, allows for modifications locally at welding shops. This way not only is it convenient to use but is easy on the pocket as well.
Figure: Tractor with cultivators used for ploughing the field
Figure: Chakda use for commutations inside the cities
From Cows to Chakda: Why the Transition?
It is common in rural Indian culture to worship cows and have livestock at home for various agricultural purposes. The transition from cows to chakda took place due to the following reasons:
- As farmers chose to grow cash crops, the availability of fodder for the livestock went down drastically
- The emergence of water scarcity also had a negative impact on livestock in rural areas.
- Vehicles like the tractors have a big turning radius when compared to chakda. This made chakdas easier to handle especially in the black soil which is found throughout in the state of Gujarat.
- People of Gujarat were quick to learn how to manufacture chakda Add to this, when the locals learned the art of servicing and modifying the engines, the adoption rate of chakdas grew at a fast rate. Today, this vehicle is used for many goods transportation, agriculture activities, commutations, and in some cases even as an ambulance.
- The rental model allowed people to use machines for several hours and pay by the hour.
Figure: Livestock of a farmer in Gujarat
An interesting thing is that some of these modified machines can run on kerosene as well. There was a time when kerosene was cheap thanks to government subsidies. Nowadays, with petrol/diesel pumps are easily available in rural India, kerosene is not used that widely.
Figure: Showing usage of the vehicle for spraying pesticide or insecticide
Source: Ankur Khanpara, PhD Research Scholar at CTARA, IIT Bombay
Technological Innovation at Grassroot Level in Rural India
Many innovative technologies are developed locally rather than by any qualified engineers. The best part is, most of these technologies are community-driven self-initiatives which are invented based on the needs of society. Chakda is one of those technologies which has been very helpful in rural areas of the Saurashtra region of Gujarat.
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Besides several advantages, technological innovations like chakda have some downsides as well. One major drawback of chakda is its non-compliance with the pollution norms of India. As most of these vehicles work on old engines, and with lakhs of these vehicles are running on the roads of Gujarat, it will have a negative impact on the environment. With the livelihood of several locals dependent on chakda, no strict laws have been implemented on its usage as of now. The policymakers on their part are working towards coming up with a viable solution that could benefit the local population without compromising on the environmental aspects.
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Chakda: innovation technologique en Inde rurale
Ceci fait partie de notre série de blogs sur les «Innovations technologiques en Inde rurale»
Comme on le dit souvent, «la nécessité est la mère de l’invention». Le talent peut être trouvé n’importe où, et cela est visible dans le moteur Royal Enfield modifié polyvalent. Ils peuvent être vus principalement dans la région de Saurashtra du Gujarat, en Inde.
Auparavant, les vieux vélos fonctionnaient à l’essence, maintenant des moteurs diesel sont également disponibles sur le marché. Lorsque j’ai visité le village de mon ami Ankur, Pedhla, près de la ville de Jetpur, dans le district de Rajkot, dans le Gujarat; J’ai été surpris de voir comment les moteurs diesel modifiés étaient utilisés par les habitants. Du transport de marchandises à la conduite d’activités agricoles comme le labour et la pulvérisation de pesticides ou d’engrais; des moteurs diesel modifiés étaient utilisés partout. Il était même utilisé pour les trajets quotidiens! Le nom donné à ce véhicule par les habitants du Gujarat est Chakda et il se trouve au Gujarat depuis les années 1970. J’ai vu cela comme la meilleure combinaison de créativité et de durabilité en termes d’utilisation économique.
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Selon le RTO (Regional Transport Office) de Rajkot, près de 10 000 chakdas circulent sur les routes ** et ce nombre est très faible compte tenu de la taille de l’état du Gujarat. Cependant, sa disponibilité locale le rend important.
Il y a de nombreuses raisons pour lesquelles le chakda est devenu la bouée de sauvetage du Gujarat rural en Inde. Au cours de mon exploration, j’ai essayé de le comprendre en rencontrant les villageois. Pourquoi ne préfèrent-ils pas les petits tracteurs habituels, mieux conçus à des fins agricoles? Pourquoi préfèrent-ils chakda? Comment chakda leur facilite-t-il la vie?
Pour commencer, chakda a un gros avantage par rapport aux autres véhicules disponibles sur le marché est son adaptabilité. Même si un mini tracteur est disponible sur le marché à une fourchette de prix de Rs. 2 – 3 lakh, le problème se pose avec ses pièces associées. Des modules complémentaires sont nécessaires pour les activités agricoles. Si une personne a déjà un cultivateur ou une charrue, il est facile de les réutiliser avec un chakda en soudant. Le mini tracteur en comparaison devient une affaire coûteuse. Il faut se rendre chez l’entreprise de tracteurs (qui est généralement loin) pour des modifications. Le chakda, par contre, permet des modifications localement dans les ateliers de soudage. De cette façon, non seulement il est pratique à utiliser, mais il est également facile à utiliser dans la poche.
Figure: Tracteur avec cultivateurs utilisés pour labourer le champ
Figure: Utilisation de Chakda pour les commutations à l’intérieur des villes
Des vaches à Chakda: pourquoi la transition?
Il est courant dans la culture indienne rurale d’adorer les vaches et d’avoir du bétail à la maison à diverses fins agricoles. La transition des vaches au chakda a eu lieu pour les raisons suivantes:
Les agriculteurs ayant choisi de cultiver des cultures commerciales, la disponibilité de fourrage pour le bétail a considérablement diminué
L’émergence de la rareté de l’eau a également eu un impact négatif sur le bétail dans les zones rurales.
Les véhicules comme les tracteurs ont un grand rayon de braquage par rapport au chakda. Cela a rendu les chakdas plus faciles à manipuler, en particulier dans le sol noir que l’on trouve partout dans l’état du Gujarat.
Les gens du Gujarat ont rapidement appris à fabriquer des chakda. De plus, lorsque les habitants ont appris l’art de l’entretien et de la modification des moteurs, le taux d’adoption des chakdas a augmenté à un rythme rapide. Aujourd’hui, ce véhicule est utilisé pour de nombreux transports de marchandises, activités agricoles, commutations et, dans certains cas, même comme ambulance.
Le modèle de location permettait aux gens d’utiliser des machines pendant plusieurs heures et de payer à l’heure.
Figure: Bétail d’un agriculteur du Gujarat
Une chose intéressante est que certaines de ces machines modifiées peuvent également fonctionner au kérosène. Il fut un temps où le kérosène était bon marché grâce aux subventions gouvernementales. De nos jours, les pompes à essence / diesel étant facilement disponibles dans les régions rurales de l’Inde, le kérosène n’est pas largement utilisé.
Figure: Affichage de l’utilisation du véhicule pour pulvériser un pesticide ou un insecticide
Source: Ankur Khanpara, chercheur au doctorat au CTARA, IIT Bombay
Innovation technologique au niveau local en Inde rurale
De nombreuses technologies innovantes sont développées localement plutôt que par des ingénieurs qualifiés. La meilleure partie est que la plupart de ces technologies sont des auto-initiatives communautaires qui sont inventées en fonction des besoins de la société. Chakda est l’une de ces technologies qui a été très utile dans les zones rurales de la région de Saurashtra au Gujarat.
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Outre plusieurs avantages, les innovations technologiques comme chakda présentent également des inconvénients. Un inconvénient majeur de chakda est son non-respect des normes de pollution de l’Inde. Comme la plupart de ces véhicules fonctionnent sur de vieux moteurs, et avec des lakhs de ces véhicules fonctionnent sur les routes du Gujarat, il aura un neg
impact positif sur l’environnement. Avec les moyens de subsistance de plusieurs habitants dépendants de la chakda, aucune loi stricte n’a été mise en œuvre sur son utilisation pour le moment. Les décideurs politiques, quant à eux, s’efforcent de trouver une solution viable qui pourrait profiter à la population locale sans compromettre les aspects environnementaux.
Rendez-vous maintenant sur hub.masteringindia.org pour explorer les nombreux cours en ligne sur divers aspects de la société indienne, qui peuvent effectivement faciliter votre transition vers ce marché; que ce soit pour élargir votre portée ou pour bénéficier de l’expertise indienne et faciliter les opérations de votre marché primaire Les efforts de LinkedIn, Nokia, Thales, entre autres, le démontrent si bien. Qu’est-ce que tu attends?
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Chakda: Technological Innovation in Rural India
By Himanshu Shukla
This is part one of our blog series on “Technological Innovations in Rural India”
As it is often said, “necessity is the mother of invention”. Talent can be found anywhere, and this is visible in the multipurpose modified Royal Enfield engine. They can be seen mostly in the Saurashtra region of Gujarat, India.
Earlier, old bikes ran on petrol, now diesel engines are also available in the market. When I visited my friend Ankur’s village Pedhla, near Jetpur city of Rajkot district in Gujarat; I was surprised to see how modified diesel engines were used by the locals. From the transportation of goods to conducting agricultural activities like ploughing and spraying of pesticides or fertilizers; modified diesel engines were used everywhere. It was even being used for commuting as well! The name given to this vehicle by people of Gujarat is Chakda and it’s been in Gujarat since the 1970s. I saw this as the best combination of creativity and sustainability in terms of its economical utilization.
Sign Up for our course on Frugal Innovation
According to RTO (Regional Transport Office) of Rajkot, nearly 10,000 chakdas are moving on roads** and this number is very small considering the size of the state of Gujarat. However, its local availability makes it significant.
There are many reasons why chakda became the lifeline of rural Gujarat in India. During my exploration, I tried to figure it out by meeting the villagers. Why do they not prefer the usual small tractors, which are better designed for agricultural purposes? Why do they prefer chakda? How does chakda make their life easier?
To begin with, chakda has one big advantage over other vehicles available in the market is its adaptability. Even though a mini tractor is available in the market at a price range of Rs. 2 – 3 lakh, the problem arises with its associated parts. Add-ons are required for agriculture activities. If a person already has a cultivator or a plough, then it’s easy to reuse them with a chakda by welding. The mini tractor in comparison becomes a costly affair. One has to make a trip to the tractor company (which is usually far off) for modifications. The chakda, on the other hand, allows for modifications locally at welding shops. This way not only is it convenient to use but is easy on the pocket as well.
Figure: Tractor with cultivators used for ploughing the field
Figure: Chakda use for commutations inside the cities
From Cows to Chakda: Why the Transition?
It is common in rural Indian culture to worship cows and have livestock at home for various agricultural purposes. The transition from cows to chakda took place due to the following reasons:
- As farmers chose to grow cash crops, the availability of fodder for the livestock went down drastically
- The emergence of water scarcity also had a negative impact on livestock in rural areas.
- Vehicles like the tractors have a big turning radius when compared to chakda. This made chakdas easier to handle especially in the black soil which is found throughout in the state of Gujarat.
- People of Gujarat were quick to learn how to manufacture chakda Add to this, when the locals learned the art of servicing and modifying the engines, the adoption rate of chakdas grew at a fast rate. Today, this vehicle is used for many goods transportation, agriculture activities, commutations, and in some cases even as an ambulance.
- The rental model allowed people to use machines for several hours and pay by the hour.
Figure: Livestock of a farmer in Gujarat
An interesting thing is that some of these modified machines can run on kerosene as well. There was a time when kerosene was cheap thanks to government subsidies. Nowadays, with petrol/diesel pumps are easily available in rural India, kerosene is not used that widely.
Figure: Showing usage of the vehicle for spraying pesticide or insecticide
Source: Ankur Khanpara, PhD Research Scholar at CTARA, IIT Bombay
Technological Innovation at Grassroot Level in Rural India
Many innovative technologies are developed locally rather than by any qualified engineers. The best part is, most of these technologies are community-driven self-initiatives which are invented based on the needs of society. Chakda is one of those technologies which has been very helpful in rural areas of the Saurashtra region of Gujarat.
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Besides several advantages, technological innovations like chakda have some downsides as well. One major drawback of chakda is its non-compliance with the pollution norms of India. As most of these vehicles work on old engines, and with lakhs of these vehicles are running on the roads of Gujarat, it will have a negative impact on the environment. With the livelihood of several locals dependent on chakda, no strict laws have been implemented on its usage as of now. The policymakers on their part are working towards coming up with a viable solution that could benefit the local population without compromising on the environmental aspects.
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