S Gopal Puri
Shahpur (Sudhed) : Congress leader and sitting MLA from Shahpur, Kewal Singh Pathania, has urged people to embrace Gandhian thought by limiting their needs and adopting a more empathetic approach toward nature to ensure a better life for future generations.
Speaking at a tree plantation event held on Monday at a village near Sudhed in his constituency, Pathania underlined that sustainable living was central to both India’s traditions and Mahatma Gandhi’s philosophy. “Gandhiji always reminded us that nature has enough for everyone’s need but not for everyone’s greed. Today, as we see the pressures of climate change, that thought is more relevant than ever,” he said.
Pathania pointed out that people often celebrated festivals and occasions in ways that inadvertently harmed the environment. He called for a change in mindset so that joy and festivities no longer come at the cost of forests, rivers, and air.
He further stressed that rising human demands were among the biggest threats to ecological balance. “Our forests, water bodies, and air are under tremendous stress because of our increasing consumption. Unless we control our needs and develop empathy for nature, our children and grandchildren will inherit a much harsher world,” he noted.
The plantation drive saw active participation from villagers, party workers, and school children, with hundreds of saplings planted. Pathania appealed to participants to not only plant trees but also nurture them, calling trees the “silent guardians of the environment.”
Highlighting Shahpur’s natural beauty and biodiversity, Pathania said that the constituency stood at a critical juncture where deforestation and climate change could deeply affect agriculture, livelihoods, and tourism. He urged citizens, especially the youth, to join conservation efforts.
“This is not only about the present but also about the future. To give our coming generations clean air and a healthier planet, we must act today. Gandhian philosophy offers us the simplest yet most powerful path—self-restraint and harmony with nature,” he concluded.
