Sustainable Sustainability
Is sustainability sustainable? As an engineer, programmer, and teacher and of late as science fiction author, I find this question located at the crossroads where idealism and pragmatism meet. Lofty ideals, like sustainability, often start with great promise but risk losing their essence when reshaped by shifting political and social landscapes. Take, for instance, how certain concepts evolve over time. Consider ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) and DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion). These modern terms have counterparts in history and policy. In India, DEI mirrors the principle of reservation—a policy designed to address inequities but often weaponized for political or personal gain. The recent case in IIM Bangalore is a case in point. Similarly, ESG initiatives, while noble, have sometimes become battlegrounds for competing agendas. The opposition to the Narmada Dam by Medha Patkar or the Sterlite plant's closure in Tamil Nadu exemplify how sustainability can be co...
