The ultimate aim and objective of any government, whose wish is to remain morally and legally in power, is to make the citizens comfortable, satisfied and contented by prudent management of all available resources.To attain this objective, there must always be a clear vision with achievable goals and clearly defined value-based strategies driven by people who visibly demonstrate political maturity as well as morality in both private and public affairs.The key to accomplish this mission is to first provide the basic needs of food, clothing and shelter for all its citizens through sustainable development of its natural resources and at the same time eradicate wastage, corruption and pollution, avoiding unnecessary conflicts and to govern with balance.
The basis ofsustainable development
The basis of sustainable development is inherent in the principle of moderation and balance that satisfies all basic needs and generates contentment. Wherever there is imbalance, there is strife that ends in grief and discontentment because of wastage, corruption and pollution.
Spiritual aspects ofsustainable development
God's creation is unique and consists of orderly systems that sustain itself if used in moderation and balance with selfless motivation. When the systems are abused, there is sorrow in the world. God reminds us of our noble ideals and gives His divine message through the many prophet souls from time to time.However, when the world is in a state of total decay and there is complete lawlessness and unrighteousness, then God Himself comes to destroy the evil and make this old dirty world new again. God then teaches humanity how to cooperate with the elements and nature through the principle of creation, transformation and sustenance that is referred to as the Trinity.
The Trinity is aspiritual principle
The Trinity of creation, transformation and sustenance is a spiritual principle that has been incorporated in all religions in one form or the other. No matter what religion you belong to, when there is sorrow in your life, you turn to God the Creator and take sustenance to transform the sorrow into happiness by embracing the scriptural text revealed by God through the prophets.The strength behind this is that we are all children of the one God who has nearly 1.5 million different names and provides for all His children equally. However, it is for the children to receive equally by making equal effort as nothing is free in this world. This is based on spiritual law of what you sow is what you reap.
Einstein's two lawsof thermodynamics
The first law of thermodynamics states that energy cannot be created or destroyed, but it can change from one form or another. The second law states that every time energy is transformed from one state to another, there is a loss of energy because of inefficiency. This loss of energy is known as entropy defined as waste, pollution, or corruption. Entropy in layman language simply says "orderly things become disorderly if they are not maintained or sustained."
A fool and his money
Many huge corporations and governments relax their strategic plans when there is a windfall in commodity prices over and above what they had expected. Because of their windfall profit, they become careless and overlook wastage in time, money and resources.History is replete with examples where many countries squandered their windfall profits and became poorer, creating an upsurge in crime and an unstable social climate. History will show that most of the lottery winners squandered their winnings and ended up poorer as there was the absence of sustained planning. This is why it is said a fool and his money are soon parted.
Food, clothing and shelter
Sustainable development of any country includes self-sufficiency of the basic necessities of food and drinking water, basic clothing and reasonable shelter.Food production should be enhanced such that "you eat what you can and can what you cannot." No matter how wealthy a country may be, if it is not self-sufficient in food and water and has to depend on imports to fulfil that need, it is similar to a multi-billionaire who lives in "fast food outlets" or on "handouts."
Shelter is just as important as food, but there must be a symbiotic relationship between the two in terms of the prioritisation of land usage. The two ought to coexist in harmony and never be to the detriment of each other. Clothing should be basic enough to protect one from the elements and yet provide the level of modesty required. Eastern civilisation(s) placed great emphasis on sustainability of its natural resources and so it is not a wonder that India, with over 1.2 billion people, is self-sufficient in providing simple nutritious food, cheap modest clothing and a comfortable roof for rest and shelter (roti, kapada aur makaan).
Solutions for sustainability
If wastage caused by pollution, corruption and extravagance were to be reduced even by half, there would be enough to satisfy everyone's need and still end up with a surplus and this upward inflationary trend would spiral downwards to the benefit of humanity for endless generations. Wastage is non-renewable as it increases entropy and reduces available resources whereas pollution has no sovereign or political boundaries and corruption has an insatiable appetite based on greed. Therefore, let us remember the adage, "waste not, want not," or as they say, "eat a little and live long and healthy."BK Khem Jokhoo teachespositive thinking, stress-freeliving. He is also a teacher of yoga and meditation