‘BSG for SDG’ Sustainable Newsletter | Issue 19 | September 2024

I joined Bharat Soka Gakkai (BSG) as a voluntary member in 2018. Studying the writings of Mr. Daisaku Ikeda taught me to approach every challenge in life with unwavering determination. I determined to base my life on the guidance and encouragement shared by Mr Ikeda, taking him to be my lifelong mentor, and joyfully began participating in various BSG activities, such as discussion meetings and study meetings. All of this helped me not only deepen my understanding of Soka humanism, but also helped me develop essential communication skills that are crucial in both work and daily life, which eventually led me to overcome various obstacles and transform difficulties into moments of victory.

I also took part in BSG’s peace, culture, education and sustainability activities. These initiatives opened my eyes to pressing global issues like environmental protection, women’s rights, among others, thus broadening my perspective. Inspired by this fresh awareness, I made a determination to work in the field of sustainability, and was able to secure a job as Assistant Manager, Business Development at a waste management organisation in Delhi. Our primary goal is to contribute to a circular economy by managing waste across Asia, with a major focus on India, where landfill management is a critical concern. The challenge begins with changing individual behaviours, as improper disposal of non-segregated and non-recycled waste greatly contributes to landfill issues.

My organisation has launched a venture called “Education to Action” (EdAct), which focuses on community engagement and behavioural change to address environmental challenges. The initiative aims to foster a sense of responsibility in students towards the planet and encourage them to adopt sustainability as a way of life. This aligns closely with my mentor, Mr. Ikeda’s vision of sustainability. Mr Ikeda has written: “We should think of the environment as our mother—Mother Soil, Mother Sea, Mother Earth. There is no crime worse than harming one’s mother. Nature is not something for human beings to use and exploit as they see fit, solely for their own interests. Both nature and humanity are one whole of the life of the universe.”

This venture aims to integrate waste management, sustainability, and academic curricula. It provides a simple yet effective way to reach the basic unit of society—a household. Students connect with their families, promoting sustainable living and better waste management practices. As part of the Business Development team, I have the opportunity to interact daily with students, teachers, and institutional leaders to raise awareness about the importance of leading a sustainable lifestyle. This not only helps them understand the value of conserving the environment but also inspires them to adopt sustainability in every aspect of their lives.

Through this work, I have fundamentally transformed my own lifestyle to be more sustainable. Many people are concerned about climate change but lack the knowledge to act on it. Simple steps include paying water bills on time, not wasting water, supporting community efforts to maintain clean sewer lines, and segregating plastic and paper waste at home to ensure it reaches proper recycling facilities instead of landfills.

Leveraging my work experience and connections, I collaborated with a plastic waste management organisation to collect plastic waste from homes in my residential area and ensure it was properly recycled. With support from the Resident Welfare Association, I also spread messages on how to manage waste at home and promote sustainable living. This helps raise awareness among those unfamiliar with the Sustainable Development Goals.

On a personal level, I strive to use minimal resources in my daily life, whether by carrying my own water bottle, using green energy-powered public transportation, eating modestly, or reusing clothes instead of buying new ones. While I faced challenges in incorporating these changes sustainably into my routine, the overall impact has been positive, with the added benefit of saving money.

Inspired by my mentor Daisaku Ikeda’s profound vision, I pledge to continuously empower myself and enhance my skills in soil science, becoming a leading force in supporting farmers and farmlands to improve soil quality. I also vow to actively inspire the youth, particularly school children, by personally guiding them towards embracing sustainable lifestyles, nurturing their commitment to environmental stewardship.

As a member of BSG, I fully recognize that our planet is not only beautiful but also sustains us in every way. As global citizens, we can make a meaningful impact by adopting small but significant changes in our daily lives.

I work in the business of retail of electronic consumer durables on E-commerce platforms. My journey with the Bharat Soka Gakkai (BSG) began in 2008, introducing me to the transformative philosophy of Soka Humanism. The writings of Mr. Daisaku Ikeda, with their profound insights and ideals, have had a lasting impact on me. At the heart of Soka Humanism lies the concept of human revolution, powerfully summarised by Mr. Ikeda in these words: “A great human revolution in just a single individual will help achieve a change in the destiny of a nation and, further, will enable a change in the destiny of all humankind.”

Profoundly moved by the concept of human revolution, I realised the transformative impact one person can have. With this deeper understanding, I committed to living a purpose-driven life, focused on creating positive value for others and contributing meaningfully to the society I am a part of.

My commitment deepened when I learned about Bharat Soka Gakkai’s ‘BSG for SDG’ campaign. I was eager to contribute to this initiative and play a role in its success. Around the same time, I actively sought opportunities to make a positive impact and discovered the ‘Robin Hood Army’ (RHA), an NGO aligned with SDGs 2 and 4 – ‘Zero Hunger’ and ‘Quality Education’ – focusing on empowering the less privileged. I was drawn to their mission and wanted to support their efforts.

The Robin Hood Army collects surplus food from various sources like weddings, events, and restaurants, and redistributes it to those in need, reducing food waste significantly and promoting ‘Zero Hunger’ in the community. Deeply moved by the RHA’s selfless mission and driven by a strong determination to create positive change, I began dedicating most of my weekends to volunteering with RHA, helping to deliver surplus food to the underprivileged and fulfilling my aspiration to lead a life of purpose, aligned with the vision of my mentor, Mr. Ikeda.

In addition to food distribution, the Robin Hood Army volunteers also dedicate time to empowering the next generation through education. Every weekend, they provide vital instruction in essential subjects like Math and English to underprivileged children living in slums, and support their enrollment in private and government schools. To further support this cause, I took the responsibility to organise the necessary stationery for these deserving students, contributing my part to their educational journey.

In addition, I’m passionate about promoting SDG 3, ‘Good Health and Well-being’, through my personal endeavours. As a regular yoga practitioner, I share my experiences and tips on social media, aiming to inspire others to adopt a healthy lifestyle and make physical activity a daily habit.

In 2023, BSG’s ‘Say No To Plastic’ campaign, which aimed to collect 25-tonnes of plastic, inspired me to adopt mindful consumption and disposal habits at home and in the workplace. By being more mindful, I successfully diverted approximately 1.5 kg of plastic waste from landfills and instead ensured its recycling through the BSG campaign. Even after the campaign concluded, I sustained this mindful approach to plastic consumption, making a personal contribution to achieving SDG 12, ‘Responsible Production and Consumption’.

I am determined to continue making steadfast efforts on a daily basis to add value in the life of others through my own example. Taking inspiration from the life of my mentor, I am determined to leave no stone unturned in making our society, our country a better place to live in for each living being.