Seeing posts about collapsing food poisoning, tourism numbers, poor air quality, water pollution, noise pollution and increasing urban density paints a picture of growth at the price of quality of life.
My friends abroad admire the bustle, energy and dynamicism of urban India. But they can’t wait to catch a flight back home.
And I can’t blame them. The growth at any cost approach will result in a populace that is too unwell, stressed and zoned out to enjoy the spoils of growth.
Sitting here in rural Kerala, I appreciate why something like my gym can only work in an affluent neighbourhood in urban India. I can see why I can’t make equipment here, why the unreliable internet won’t allow for a reliable coaching service and there are not enough people willing to shell out what I charge for a month.
But hearing birds chirping, crisp and clean air, a quiet rarely disturbed by a lone vehicle and clear skies calms the soul and deepens sleep much more reliably than a drink and a rant. The reliable mounds of plastic and litter still ruins the green scape and this is worrisome.
And at this point in my career, I am forced make a Faustian bargain. I have to give up on air, water, land and space to run my business.
That truly sucks. In a country our size for some reason there are only 7-8 pockets each covering 60-70 square kilometers that has the population to run a viable coaching service.
I know I am going to be filled with some degree of regret for trading quality of life, environment and food for a chance to work with more clients. And I really want to imagine a world where I did not have to make that choice.
My friends abroad admire the bustle, energy and dynamicism of urban India. But they can’t wait to catch a flight back home.
And I can’t blame them. The growth at any cost approach will result in a populace that is too unwell, stressed and zoned out to enjoy the spoils of growth.
Sitting here in rural Kerala, I appreciate why something like my gym can only work in an affluent neighbourhood in urban India. I can see why I can’t make equipment here, why the unreliable internet won’t allow for a reliable coaching service and there are not enough people willing to shell out what I charge for a month.
But hearing birds chirping, crisp and clean air, a quiet rarely disturbed by a lone vehicle and clear skies calms the soul and deepens sleep much more reliably than a drink and a rant. The reliable mounds of plastic and litter still ruins the green scape and this is worrisome.
And at this point in my career, I am forced make a Faustian bargain. I have to give up on air, water, land and space to run my business.
That truly sucks. In a country our size for some reason there are only 7-8 pockets each covering 60-70 square kilometers that has the population to run a viable coaching service.
I know I am going to be filled with some degree of regret for trading quality of life, environment and food for a chance to work with more clients. And I really want to imagine a world where I did not have to make that choice.