O J's Corner

Sustainable development

Gandhiji Institute of Sustainable Development (GISD), the brainchild of P.J.Joseph, at Nadukani in Idukki district of Kerala is unique as its founder is. Situated atop the hills, offering a panoramic view of the valleys and other hills far-off, there is nothing more to be encountered, beyond the precincts of the 3000-foot-top-set-up, for the protagonist of the spirit of enquiry.

GISD, a venture of the umbrella organisation by name Gandhiji Study Centre, is intended to offer research and training facilities to people who are interested in Gandhian values.
Gandhiji Study Centre, headquartered at Thodupuzha in Idukki district, is a voluntary organisation specialising in inculcating Gandhian values and thoughts on development.
Emphasis on agricultural growth as being capable of reducing poverty and hunger is put in place by the institution nurtured by Joseph, who has an indefatigable spirit to propagate organic farming and comprehensive development.

Already, Idukki is poised to become the first organic farming district in the State. I believe there are about 20,000 organic farming families in the district by now. Organic farming goes hand in hand with cattle rearing, production of milk, and protection of bio-diversity.

Hazard-free and health-friendly farming, eliminating all kinds of injurious chemical pesticides, and offering natural crops is the mainstay of extension activities of Gandhiji Study Centre and its research and training wing, Gandhiji Institute of Sustainable Development. A concerted effort would fetch premium for achieving the millennium goal on reduction of poverty and hunger. More than that, the institutions could provide a headstart for imparting awareness about nutrition as well.

GISD would, therefore, be an ideal location for improving knowledge and skills. Cushioned in salubrious climate and cool environs, the mind would be clear and the body agile at Nadukani, where brain-storming sessions would be fruitful.It kindles hopes for rural development and uplift of tribals who are part of the work-sphere.

Lab-to-land transfer of technology would be the off-shoot of the ventures at GISD. Aready, there are plans to associate with the activities of the Centre for Environmental Planning and Technology University departments at Ahmedabad. In fact, the GISD complex at Nadukani was designed and constructed in consultation with Prof Utpal Sharma, director of the School of Planning of CEPT, along with architect Sankar of Habitat, Thiruvananthapuram.

Joseph has made it clear that the best brains in the fields of agriculture and sustainable development and research institutions of repute would be brought to GISD from time to time so that proper training could be imparted to people who are responsible for replicating the models devised at research centres. Non-governmental organisations would be capable of undertaking effective extension activities.

Prof N S Ramaswamy, founder-director of Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore, National Professor, and chairman, CARTMAN as well as Indian Heritage Academy, who inaugurated the GISD on December 15, called for restoring the balance of nature. Half of the 65 lakh Keralites working outside the State could find avocation in the State itself, if proper activities are undertaken. The State cannot always be dependent on the remittances from abroad.

Gandhiji Study Centre and Gandhiji Institute of Sustainable Development would be an impetus to those who crave for sustainable development, organic farming and all-round development of the people