Gramodyog Kalpavruksha Che

Here's a comprehensive summary of the provided Jain text, "Gramodyog Kalpavruksha Che" by Bechardas Doshi:

The book "Gramodyog Kalpavruksha Che" (Village Industries are like a Wish-Fulfilling Tree) by Bechardas Doshi emphasizes the crucial role of village industries in fostering self-sufficiency, economic prosperity, and a virtuous society. The author argues that with India having seven lakh villages, empowering villagers through productive employment is essential for their well-being and the nation's progress.

Key Arguments and Ideas:

• Addressing Unemployment and Poverty: The text highlights that agriculture, the primary occupation in villages, is seasonal. This leaves villagers with at least four months of idle time annually, which can be effectively utilized in village industries. Engaging in these industries allows villagers to earn income, meet their basic needs for food and clothing, and improve their standard of living.

• Variety of Village Industries: The author outlines a wide spectrum of village industries suitable for rural areas. These include:

  • Basic Household Industries: Producing cloth for village needs, processing rice and pulses, grinding grains, and similar domestic crafts.
  • Specialized Crafts: Oil pressing (ghanchi), tailoring, cobbling, carpentry for making furniture and agricultural tools, blacksmithing for creating nails, rods, tongs, and farming implements (like spades and ploughshares).
  • Trade-Oriented Industries: Soap making, paper making, and manufacturing various colored inks.

• Need for Training and Skill Development: The success of these industries hinges on proper training. While some might require manual tools, others may benefit from simple machinery. The author stresses the importance of imparting skills according to individual aptitude and ensuring proficiency before encouraging people to pursue these crafts within their homes or communities.

• Economic and Social Benefits:

  • Employment and Livelihood: By providing opportunities in village industries, unemployment can be eradicated, and people can earn a decent living, leading to a brighter and happier life.
  • Reduced Social Evils: When individuals are engaged in productive work, the scope for social vices and misconduct within the village significantly decreases.
  • Fair Wages and Elimination of Middlemen: The text advocates for fair wages for all workers, both men and women, and the elimination of middlemen. It calls upon benevolent and prosperous individuals in the village to ensure this fairness, allowing village industries to thrive and preventing villagers from becoming dependent on others.
  • Spiritual and Cultural Growth: With economic stability provided by industries, villagers can dedicate more time to their religious practices, including devotion and communal singing (kirtan). Festivals, celebrations, and cultural gatherings become more vibrant and enjoyable.
  • Character Development: Regular engagement in industry fosters self-confidence, mutual love, affection, cooperation, and other positive human qualities, ultimately leading to the dissolution of caste distinctions.

• Role of Education in Promoting Village Industries:

  • Industry-Oriented Education: The author strongly advocates for an education system that is closely linked to vocational training and practical skills.
  • Early Exposure: Children should be introduced to industry-focused education from a young age, drawing inspiration from examples like Sudama and Krishna going to cut wood.
  • Practical Training in Schools: Students should actively participate in the upkeep and small tasks within their schools, such as cleaning, organizing, and maintaining facilities. This instills a sense of responsibility and practical skills.
  • Progressive Skill Development: As students advance in age and education, the complexity of the industries they learn should increase, with schools providing the necessary tools and facilities.
  • Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving: Education should encourage students' curiosity, analytical thinking, and the ability to solve problems through practical application. The author criticizes the current educational system for often failing to foster these qualities.

• Critique of the Current Education System: The text criticizes the contemporary education system for being detached from practical realities and the needs of society. It questions whether students truly understand the meaning of prayers or the intent of teachers' initial lectures. The author laments the lack of initiative to reform an education system that is perceived negatively.

• Gandhi's Philosophy and Self-Sufficiency: The author aligns with Mahatma Gandhi's vision of schools generating some of their income through the industries run within them. This, however, requires dedicated and skilled teachers who are passionate about both literature and practical work.

• The Need for Reform: The essay concludes with a fervent plea for a fundamental overhaul of the education system. If the aim is to make villages vibrant and self-reliant, the nation's leaders and cultural custodians must prioritize a comprehensive reform in education, making it more industry-centric.

• Moral Foundation of Society: The author asserts that education is the bedrock of a moral society. If teachers are knowledgeable, virtuous, disciplined, and abstemious, the entire educational environment and students' behavior will transform for the better. This, in turn, will make education and associated industries truly effective and a perennial source of benefit, like a wish-fulfilling tree.

In essence, "Gramodyog Kalpavruksha Che" presents a compelling case for revitalizing rural economies and societal well-being through the diligent promotion of village industries, intrinsically linked to a reformed and practical education system.