National Webinar on World Water Day

 

Gandhi’s Water Wisdom Lessons for “Sustainability”

Media Swaraj

“Explore Mahatma Gandhi’s timeless water wisdom—conservation, equity, and sustainability lessons for today’s world. Perfect for World Water Day insights!”

By Dr. Siby Kollappallil Joseph

Siby K Joseph an eminent Gandhian scholar

Mahatma Gandhi’s holistic vision of life, grounded in his belief in the interconnectedness of all things, offers timeless lessons for today’s world. He saw water not as a mere resource to exploit, but as a vital thread in the web of life, linking the health of the earth, air, and all living beings. This perspective calls for integrated water management that honors its role in sustaining ecosystems and communities. Gandhi viewed water as a universal gift, not a commodity, urging us to preserve it for future generations and ensure equitable access for all—a message that resonates powerfully in our resource-stressed era.

The stakes are high. As Ismail Serageldin, former Vice President of the World Bank, warned, “Many of the wars of the 20th century were about oil, but wars of the 21st century will be about water unless we change how we manage it.” This statement underscores the escalating scarcity of clean water, driven by climate change, population growth, and unsustainable practices. Water’s critical role in sustainability is recognized in the UN Sustainable Development Goals, with Goal 6—Clean Water and Sanitation—aiming to ensure access to safe water and sanitation for all by 2030. Gandhi’s philosophy of sustainable living and water conservation aligns seamlessly with these goals, encouraging us to reduce waste, adopt mindful practices, and prioritize fairness in water distribution.

Gandhi’s conservationist ethos positioned him as a pioneer of modern ecological movements. Norwegian philosopher Arne Naess, who coined “Deep Ecology” in 1973, drew inspiration from Gandhi’s reverence for nature. Deep Ecology values all life intrinsically, a principle mirrored in Gandhi’s rejection of material excess and waste. Naess observed, “Gandhi’s utopia is one of the few that shows ecological balance, and today his critique of the Western world’s abundance is embraced by progressive environmentalists.” Gandhi’s life embodied this balance—living simply by the Sabarmati River, he used water sparingly, reminding others it belonged to all creatures, not just humans. When challenged on his frugal habits, he replied, “The river water is for all—for birds, animals, insects, and men, not only for me.” This reflects his philosophy of sarvodaya (welfare of all), blending conservation with social responsibility.

Water also held a sacred place in Gandhi’s approach to health. A proponent of Nature Cure, he considered water one of four essential elements—alongside earth, air, and sunlight—for healing and well-being. “Air, water, and grains are the three chief kinds of food,” he wrote, lamenting society’s carelessness toward them. He believed pure water could prevent diseases like plague, criticizing the contamination of wells and ponds by rural communities. “Drinking water must be pure,” he insisted, advocating for its protection as a necessity second only to air.

Gandhi’s concern extended to sacred water bodies like the Ganga. He deplored the pollution he witnessed at pilgrimage sites, noting, “Pilgrims defecate where people wash and draw water, destroying the dharma of compassion and our duty to society.” Such recklessness, he warned, bred diseases like cholera and typhoid. Today, despite cleanup efforts, the Ganga remains polluted, worsened by events like the Kumbh Mela. Gandhi’s call for community education and responsibility rings truer than ever.

As we mark World Water Day, Gandhi’s water wisdom remains a beacon. His emphasis on conservation, equity, and harmony with nature offers a blueprint for sustainable water management. By embracing his insights, we can protect this precious gift for future generations, fostering a world that honors both the environment and humanity’s shared rights. Let us act with the same compassion and foresight Gandhi exemplified—because water, as he knew, is life itself.

This article was prepared by Dr. Siby K. Joseph, Director of Sri Jamnalal Bajaj Memorial Library and Research Centre for Gandhian Studies, Sevagram Ashram Pratishthan, Sevagram, Wardha-442102, Maharashtra, for a national webinar on World Water Day. Email: directorjbmlrc@gmail.com