Deendayal Upadhyaya and the Cultural Roots of Sustainable Development in India

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Prof.B.Dharmalingam

Deendayal Upadhyaya and the Cultural Roots of Sustainable Development in India

Authors: Prof.B.Dharmalingam

Unique Paper ID: 182680
Volume: 12
Issue: 2
PageNo: 2793-2798

Keywords: Intellectual Environmental History Integral Humanism Sustainable Development Cultural Environmentalism.

Abstract:
This paper examines the ecological dimensions of Deendayal Upadhyaya’s philosophy of Integral Humanism and situates it within the growing field of intellectual environmental history in India. While Indian environmental historiography has predominantly focused on grassroots movements and policy responses to ecological degradation, the contributions of ideologues and political thinkers remain underexplored. Upadhyaya, though primarily known for his socio-political thought, offers a culturally embedded ecological vision that challenges dominant models of development rooted in Western industrial and consumerist paradigms. The study critically analyzes how Upadhyaya’s advocacy for decentralized economies, restrained consumption, and ecological harmony aligns with contemporary principles of sustainable development. Drawing on his critiques of Western industrialism and his emphasis on village-centric, self-reliant economic systems, the paper argues that Upadhyaya’s thought prefigures modern ecological critiques while offering an indigenous framework for sustainability. His stress on moral consumption, local production, and reverence for nature articulates a cultural model of ecological balance that resonates with India’s civilizational ethos. By comparing his vision to global ecological paradigms—such as deep ecology, anthropocentric environmentalism, and sustainable development—the paper highlights both the uniqueness and relevance of his philosophy. Upadhyaya’s model contributes to what Arturo Escobar calls “cultural environmentalism,” rooted in local ethics, traditional knowledge, and spiritual values. Ultimately, this study presents Deendayal Upadhyaya as a pioneering yet overlooked figure in India’s environmental thought. His philosophy offers a culturally rooted, ecologically responsible model of development, making a compelling case for integrating indigenous perspectives into global sustainability discourses.

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ISSN: 2349-6002
Volume: 12
Issue: 2
PageNo: 2793-2798

Deendayal Upadhyaya and the Cultural Roots of Sustainable Development in India

Available:https://ijirt.org/article?manuscript=182680

Impact Factor
8.01 (Year 2024)

UGC Approved
Journal no 47859

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