Page 14 - Shelter - April 2025

THEME PAPER
and widespread prosperity
require being informed and
sensitive towards providing
equitable growth.
In this context, it is crucial to
understand the philosophical
framework that underpins
this vision. The idea of a
Viksit Bharat is informed by
a blend of Indian philosophy
and Western thought aiming
to create a society that
achieves material prosperity
while ensuring social justice,
environmental awareness and
spiritual well-being. Indian
philosophy, particularly
through the teachings of
Dharma, Sarvodaya, and
Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam,
offers frameworks for
tackling social and economic
inequality.
Indian Philosophical
Underpinnings
Indian philosophical tradition
has long emphasised
collective welfare, moral
responsibility, and spiritual
growth. In fact at the heart of
many Indian philosophical
systems is the concept of
Dharma, which signifies
moral and ethical duty.
Rooted in Hindu, Buddhist,
and Jain thought, Dharma
governs personal behaviour
as well as societal duties.
This concept not only guides
personal actions but also
serves as a pillar for statecraft
and governance. The concept
of Dharma (Righteousness
and Duty), emphasises the
importance of living ethically,
12 HUDCO-HSMI Publication
fulfilling one’s duties, and vendors thus enabling access
contributing to society’s to economic opportunities
welfare. In the context of at all levels, provision of old
inequality, Dharma calls for age homes, rental housing
actions that promote fairness for migrants in cities, women
and justice. Each person has hostels, student hostels etc.
a duty (or Svadharma) to need prime attention in our
contribute to the well-being planning policies.
of society based on their role One of the central concepts to
and capabilities. According India’s vision of development
to the Bhagavad Gita, every is “Sarvodaya” or in simple
individual must follow their terms the “upliftment of
own path of duty in alignment all”as articulated by Mahatma
with the greater good of Gandhi. This principle insists
society. In modern terms, that development must
this could be interpreted as prioritise the poorest and
creating social structures and most marginalised segments
policies that allow individuals of society. Gandhi’s idea of
from marginalised development was deeply
communities to thrive. For connected to moral principles
instance, ensuring access to of truth, non-violence
education, healthcare, and (Ahimsa), and simplicity.
economic opportunities for According to this view, society
women, Dalits, Adivasis, and should be structured in such a
other marginalised groups way that the needs and rights
would be in line with the of the most disadvantaged
idea of fulfilling one’s social are prioritised. In addressing
duty. In this framework, economic inequality, the
social justice is seen as not government must focus
just a policy goal, but as an on distributive justice—
essential part of the moral ensuring that resources and
duty of the state, individuals, opportunities are equitably
and institutions to correct distributed, especially
inequalities. The Indian state, to those who have been
for instance, has enacted historically marginalised. In
policies such as reservation this view, development is not
to uplift marginalised merely about material wealth
communities, which can be but about fostering moral
seen as a manifestation of integrity and holistic well-
Dharma. Similarly, policies being for all. Accordingly,
and programmes supporting programmes benefitting
inclusive affordable housing, the basic needs of the
right to ownership of impoverished and vulnerable
housing, affordable public strata of the society need to be
mobility solutions, provision integrated with the facilitation
of safe platform for street of economic engines charging