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Environmentalists of India: JC Kumarappa

J.C.Cornelius (1892) renamed himself as J.C.Kumarappa in 1929. Deputed as Professor of Economics in Gujarat Vidyapeeth by Gandhi after his letter on rural development. Published a survey of Matar Village (Ahmedabad) in 1931 – “Irrigation for farmers and drinking water for untouchables”.

Drinking water – poor quality for the poor while the air was of poor quality to the rich – suffocating kitchens of the rich. Lamps burnt with kerosene even without glass chimneys to complete the process of combustion. Suggested a shift to Castor oil – a local and cheaper product. Farmers to utilize all forms of manure, preserve seeds, educate children and live decently.

Gandhi started All India Village Industries Association (AIVIA) in 1933 to hold his political struggle and get into constructive work. JCK was the Secretary General with JC Bose and C.V.Raman in the advisory board. Constructed his own 12×14 room. In 1938 Subash Chandra Bose, President of Congress invited him for the National Planning Committee chaired by J.Nehru. But lasted only a year as he was irked by the Soviet model. In 1941 he organized a Khadi exhibition at Bombay after his friends started ignoring his radical thoughts. Against machine driven paper factories, weaving mills and sugar mills. Innovated Magan Deep and Magan Choola.

Identified Pack type (Predatory, aggressive and carnivore. West: Hunter, nomad and Industrial) and Herd type (Peaceable, non-violent and  vegetarian (India – China – Japan – long settled and stable) in agrarian society.

Like Gandhi, believed in “No industrialization without predation”. Violent, Large supply of goods, irrespective of use, Clever advertisements create demand, Economy of transience”. Agriculture “Greatest among all occupation” – Natural mutation with the environment, Economy of permanence.

Progress – Pull along nature’s dictates not creating violence and destruction.

 Produce everything, we want from a limited area, we are in a position to supervise the method of production. Else, if we draw our requirement from ends of the earth, its impossible to guarantee the conditions of production.

Current Economy (Renewable resources – wood, mud, Animal power) v/s Reservoir Economy (Nonrenewable resources – Iron, Concrete, Fossil fuel power (Petrol), Social disruption, Imitative thinking.

Wrote in Harijan (Jan 24, 1948) – Swaraj to the masses – Gandhiji himself confessed – we do not have the requisite number of selfless workers. After 5 days, Gandhi suggested that Congress be disbanded and reconstituted as a body of constructive workers named Lok Sevak Sangh. Work on Untouchability, religious harmony, renewal of rural economic life, education, sanitation etc., The Next day he was assassinated.

He even blamed Nehru for moving into the Commander in Chief’s palace.

Mahadev Desai – Secretary of Gandhi referred him as “The violent exponent of the non-violence”.

Rastrapathi Bhavan signage in 1951 – “Bullock carts not allowed”. JCK told Nehru “When there are two persons in public and the presence of one is likely to be a menace to the other, my common sense would lead me to restrain the source of danger rather than the possible victim”.

Preferred Kaveri, Godavari, Krishna, Mahanadhi states rather than their division on linguistics.

Vinobha Bhave – Bhoodhan Movement – Proper utilization of land is important than distribution.

His last(ing) statements from the hospital in Madras “Bapu is better dead than alive” for there is a no trace of him within a decade after his death”.

Source: Source: Guha, Ramachandra., (2024), Speaking with Nature: The Origins of Indian Environmentalism, Fourth Estate, New Delhi, p 71 -110.

3 thoughts on “Environmentalists of India: JC Kumarappa

  1. In my view, Kumarappa showcases his significant contributions to rural development and sustainable living, driven by Gandhian principles.

    His transformation from J.C. Cornelius to J.C. Kumarappa and his commitment to village economics highlight his dedication to integrating economic practices with social justice and environmental sustainability.

    To add a thing he strongly opposed centralized industrialization and promoted the concept of a village-centered economy.

    His book “Economy of Permanence” became a key work in advocating for sustainable living and rural development based on local resources and non-violence.

    His vision of development rejected exploitation of natural resources and aligned with principles of ecological balance.

  2. J.Kumarappa as an environmentalist he opposed Nehru’s industrialization model, warning:
    “Violence and exploitation are inherent in large-scale industrialization.”

    Instead, he promoted “The Economy of Permanence”, arguing that:
    “True progress aligns with nature, ensuring harmony between human needs and environmental sustainability.”

  3. J.C. Kumarappa (1892–1960) was a Gandhian economist, environmentalist, and advocate for rural self-sufficiency. He believed that true economic progress should align with nature and serve society rather than exploit resources for industrial profit.
    He argued that large-scale industrialization leads to violence, environmental destruction, and economic disparity.

    He stated, “No industrialization without predation,” meaning industries inevitably exploit nature and people.

    Instead, he promoted decentralized village economies that prioritize sustainability over mass production.

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