What is Mission LiFE?
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in the presence of U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, launched ‘Mission LiFE’ (Lifestyle For Environment), a new initiative for sustainable and healthy lifestyle at the Statue of Unity in Kevadia, Gujarat.
Antonio Guterres unveiled the LiFE logo and tagline and released the Mission Document at the event where the Union Minister of External Affair Dr S. Jaishankar and Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel were also present.
Why is it Necessary?
Limiting non-renewable resources is a major problem throughout the world. It is even more so in India, as most of the resources for energy are imported, adding a substantial burden to the economy of the country.
Along with other developed nations, India has found many technical and indigenous solutions to the scarcity of resources. It is now a matter of time and capital to implement most of the ideas as solutions in both large and small scales.
How can LiFE be Implemented?
LiFE is not just about renewable resources, or environment protection. It also includes various other prospects that can affect human life when we think of developing with our environment.
Renewable resources form an important part of the life scheme. The National Hydrogen Mission is also a renewed push for looking at environment-friendly sources of energy. Some lifestyle changes like keeping public places clean, use of biodegradable bags, and promoting yoga are also essential in the LiFE scheme.
LiFE in Finding Renewable Resources
India has come a long way in terms of renewable energy sources. India led the world towards production and installation of solar panels, innovations in wind energy, revival of bio-fuel, and exploration of hydro power. India has also promoted such ideas outside of the country, such as in forming the International Solar Alliance.
“India is currently ranked fourth in wind energy and fifth in solar energy. India’s renewable energy capacity has increased by about 290 % in the last 7-8 years. The country has also achieved the target of 40% of the electric capacity from non-fossil-fuel sources 9 years ahead of the deadline,” said by Narendra Modi, the Indian PM, during his meeting with Antonio Guterres.
LiFE in Fighting Natural Disasters
Tackling of natural disasters like cyclone, drought, famine, flood, heat and cold wave forms under this category. Rainwater harvesting, flood and cyclone shelters, blanket distribution and drinking water availability, jaldoot and water transportation, linking rivers and building earthen dams are some of the measures that India has pioneered in this area.
India’s climate has a huge impact on its people, and we have seen throughout history how Governments and people of the country have tackled the climatic changes. It is time, we enhance the methods of our forefathers with technical innovations to serve the whole country’s population.
LiFE in Industrial Pollution
Throughout history, India invented techniques to develop industries while causing little hamper to the environment and surroundings. In the modern world, such ideas and practices have faded to apply cost cutting principles, and generate maximum output to compete globally.
Discharge of wastes in rivers, polluting lakes and water bodies, use of chemical fertilizers and allowing them to run-off, these were not India’s policies before the industrial revolution. India has always promoted bio-fertilizers, bio-gas, biomass, bio-pesticides, and proper disposal of waste into water bodies.
We need to amplify the measures we previously used to take to identify pollution areas, and find a proper solution to it. While developed nations have gone ahead of us now, we can take their examples and apply the same in our country to minimize pollution. Today’s little costly measures will mean tomorrow’s gain in income from harmony between man and nature.
LiFE in Daily Lifestyle
Our daily lifestyle also has a lot to do with how we think about the environment around us. General awareness on how we are impacting our environment is very essential if we look forward to a sustainable development in society.
Keeping our surroundings clean and tidy forms the basic principle in our life. But there are other things to highlight as well, like reduce-reuse-recycle, use of biodegradable bags, not wasting water, electricity and fuel, and tree plantation.
Modi gave importance to well-being and healthy lifestyle as complementary to a good environment. “India had proposed the International Day of Yoga, which was supported by the UN. Today it is inspiring millions of people around the world to lead a healthy life,” he said.
Impact and Spreading of Ideas
For any initiative, ideas remain on paper with little impact on the population if the ideas are not implemented, or awareness is not spread. “Such practices are prevalent, which inspire us to walk in harmony with nature. Mission LiFE will encompass every lifestyle related to the conservation of nature, which our ancestors adopted, and that can be made a part of our lifestyle today,” said PM Modi.
A healthy society is key to the earning of the Government. Like other developed nations, India has also learnt the fact that sustainable development both in our society and our environment, and harmony between the two is required in order to achieve the goals we are looking for. Mission LiFE will channelize all of these ideas into implementations.
Written by – Himadri Paul