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THEME PAPER
the growth of the nation. Our to reducing harm to the social justice, particularly
housing and infrastructure environment and human the Universal Declaration of
development programmes health. India’s push for Human Rights and global
need to be driven through electric vehicles and clean poverty eradication. Rooted
policies which provide shelter, energy reflects a commitment in the Upanishadic teachings,
economic opportunities, to protecting the environment this idea also calls for
access to healthcare & for future generations. global harmony and shared
education and quality of life The notion of Vasudhaiva responsibility in fostering the
for the various segments of Kutumbakam (the world common good particularly
the society. is one family) further when it comes to managing
Gandhi’s approach underscores India’s natural resources and
emphasises self-sufficiency, approach to development. addressing global challenges
especially in rural areas, and The idea of Vasudhaiva like climate change which
for a rapidly industrialising
underscores the importance Kutumbakam, originating
of empowerment over charity. from the Mahopanishad, economy like ours is of utmost
Policies aimed at empowering emphasises that the entire importance.
marginalised groups— world is a unified family. This Western Philosophical
be it through education, perspective encourages unity Context
healthcare, or economic and collaboration for the Western philosophy,
reforms—align with this common good, transcending particularly utilitarianism,
philosophy. As Sarvodaya barriers of race, religion, caste, liberalism, and egalitarianism,
promotes not just individual and nationality. By applying offers additional insights into
success but collective well- this ancient principle to the how to address inequality
being, it emphasises that real modern context, India can which is an important hurdle
development cannot happen approach inequality not only to surmount in our quest for
until everyone in society has from a national perspective attaining a truly developed
access to at least the basic but from a global one, India.
resources. Towards our goal of recognising that justice and
realising the dream of a Viksit equality should be part of The concept of utilitarianism,
Bharat, equitable regional a broader commitment to as advanced by philosophers
development, bringing the well-being of humanity. like Jeremy Bentham and
amenities and access to our It advocates for the fair John Stuart Mill, provides a
remote and impoverished treatment of all people, framework that emphasises
areas, growth of agrarian irrespective of gender, caste, maximising happiness and
based industrialisation while religion, or ethnicity, and minimising suffering. This
balancing it with protection for building a society that utilitarian principle aligns
of ecologically sensitive provides opportunities for with India’s drive to ensure
zones and tribal rights is not all members to flourish. In that the benefits of growth
only a sustainable strategy terms of practical policy, are shared across all sections
for development but our Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam of society, ensuring broad-
moral and ethical imperative. suggests that India must based prosperity. Affirmative
Philosophically, the address internal disparities in action policies, which focus
development of sustainable a way that recognises the inter- on uplifting marginalised
urban infrastructure must connectedness of all people. communities, are a key
be grounded in the concept Social policies must not only application of this theory,
of Ahimsa, or non-violence, aim for national progress as they aim to bring about a
which in this context extends but also consider global net increase in happiness by
April, 2025, Volume 26. No.1 - SHELTER 13
