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Perspective
Local Solutions
by J. Ajithkumar
 Daily
life is nothing but a series of attempts to find solutions to problems.
Every second or every minute we are confronted by one problem or
another, some of which get solved automatically and some others cry out
for our special attention. Our success or failure on a daily basis is
the cumulative effect of our own ability to find (or failure to find)
solutions to such problem series. The word ‘problems’ in our daily lives
should not conjure up thoughts about all being complicated and difficult
issues. It can be just a small concern about a trivial matter or a minor
ailment and can extend up to the sudden news about the loss of a dear
one. All these are problems that call for a response from our side.
Response
to a problem can be either by solving or ignoring or even avoiding it.
In a sense all these are solutions to various problems on hand. Some are
quick in finding solutions, but many of us are quicker in ignoring or
avoiding the issues confronting us. But there is a limit to which this
can be done. Sooner or later all the issues will demand a solution and
there can be no running away from them. All of us do it voluntarily or
involuntarily. Quite surprisingly almost all the effective solutions we
have found in our lives come from their immediate surroundings. In other
words the most effective solutions to any issues are the so-called
‘local’ solutions. This is true in almost all types of issues in all
spheres of operation.
Social Problems
Social problems confront us in a collective manner. This means that we
are not always alone in confronting such problems and trying to sort
them out. There are multiple brains and skills at work in solving any
social issue. Opinions and suggestions will be forthcoming from various
quarters, some of which may be unsolicited, provocative and with
ulterior motives. But multiple options available for any single issue
will always result in a better decision being taken, provided the
decision makers are themselves impacted by the decisions thus taken.
Democratic decisions are considered long lasting only because of this
underlying logic of solutions coming from within and not being imposed
from outside by outsiders who have no direct impact as a result of these
decisions.
Continuing with the same logic of ‘within’ solutions, the best and most
effective solutions will always come from resources which are local to
any issue. It may not always be geographically local, but can be on any
other basis viz. culture, gender, language etc. As an example, any issue
concerning women is best solved by looking for a solution coming from
women themselves though they may be in another location or from another
cultural background. Those who are looking for solutions to social
issues should make it a practice to tap resources and avenues that are
local. Always remember that India’s freedom was won by Indians and
British colonization succeeded because of the British. Never ever make
the mistake of waiting for some others’ to solve our social problems.
Personal Problems
Though the ‘local solution’ technique looks more logical and feasible in
social issues, the same holds good in personal problems as well. One can
appreciate it more if ever one had survived the trauma of an accident.
Very often those who save our lives in any accident are not our own
relatives or even friends. It is always the locally available and
‘willing’ witnesses who stand between life and death for us. Whatever is
your bank balance and however big is your circle of friends, nothing
will help you in an accident except the magnanimity of the local crowd.
It is not unheard of sworn enemies rushing to help out at times of acute
distress thanks to our basic humane qualities.
What is applicable for our ‘outside’ problems works well for our ‘own’
problems also. If we are in trouble, our first call must be to our own
self. If we develop a habit of depending on others for everything, the
most disappointed will be our own self. Expectation is the mother of
disappointment and more of disappointment will only bring down the
individual’s resource level. What an individual can normally do cannot
be achieved by the same individual in a disappointed state. This simple
fact results in many people failing to do what they actually can. The
results are often very devastating. As a corollary it is worth
mentioning that the achievements of determined individuals far exceed
their normal capabilities. All that is required is development of a
‘no-expectation’ frame of mind.
Gandhiji’s idea of Grama Swarajya is one of the best illustrations of
the concept of local solutions to all our daily problems. If each
household, each community and each locality can develop facilities for
solving a majority of their own usual problems, the overall quality of
our lives will be much better. Instead, if we are always dependent on
the state government or central government or even the global
institutions to sort out our peculiar problems, most of us will end our
lives with unfulfilled dreams and desires. Looking for local solutions
for any type of problems is the best option available to a prudent set
of individuals, communities and nations. This is all the more true in
these times of aggressive globalization that is marginalizing more and
more of deprived sections in our society.
September
23, 2007
Image under
license with Gettyimages.com
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