Everyday Actions: From Temple Offerings to Award Trophies

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My Sustainable Encounter with Dr Yogendra Saxena

by Albert Schiller

We discuss sustainability in terms of global supply chains and corporate emissions. But where does it truly begin? Does it start in the boardroom with grand strategies, or in the small, conscious decisions of our daily lives?

Our cover story on Yogendra Saxena explored his profound thesis that sustainability is not a skill, but an attitude. We examined how this mindset shaped his thirty-five-year career, enabling him to navigate and re-engineer complex corporate and regulatory systems. But the most compelling evidence for any philosophy is not found in professional accomplishments. It is found in how that philosophy is lived. The final part of my conversation with Yogendra revealed how his grand "attitude of sustainability" translates into the ecology of everyday action.

The Personal as the Practical

A standard critique of sustainability is that it is a Western concept at odds with traditional Eastern values. Yogendra offers a more intelligent path. His advice on eco-friendly worship is a masterclass in honoring the spirit of a ritual while evolving its practice. He does not ask people to abandon their faith. He asks them to examine the attitude behind it.

He gives concrete examples. When visiting a temple, one can opt for eco-friendly packaging for offerings instead of a plastic bag. Rituals that require offering items into the holy Ganges River can be altered. He suggests those same items can be used for composting in a potted plant at home. This approach is powerful. It avoids a confrontation with deeply held beliefs. It instead offers a better, more responsible way to express the same devotion. It proves that sustainability and tradition are not mutually exclusive.

The Pedagogy of Practice

This focus on individual, tangible action is the foundation of his educational work. When he engages with schoolchildren on his "Me and My Swachh Bharat" (Clean India) campaign, his focus is on the basics. He works to make students aware of simple principles. These include no littering, waste segregation, and responsible disposal.

The underlying logic is clear. A sustainable society is not built from the top down with grand government programs alone. It must be built from the ground up. It begins by instilling in the next generation an attitude of personal responsibility for their immediate surroundings. These small, practiced habits become the cultural bedrock upon which larger, more complex national sustainability goals can be successfully built.

The Rejection of the Symbol

The most definitive proof of Yogendra’s philosophy is revealed in his personal stance on professional accolades. He has received numerous national and international awards for his work. For many, these trophies are the tangible proof of a successful career. They are symbols of achievement to be proudly displayed. But Yogendra’s attitude has evolved beyond the need for such symbols.

"When I was young, I used to enjoy collecting these plaques/trophies," he admits with candor. "But now I refuse to collect these in advance as they create pollution during the manufacturing and disposal stage." This is a quiet but profound act. It is the ultimate demonstration of "walking the talk."

Here, the principle of environmental responsibility directly conflicts with the symbol of personal success, and the principle wins. It shows that for him, sustainability is not a professional strategy. It is an integral part of his being. It is a powerful final lesson. True sustainability is not about what we can gain, but about what we are willing to give up for our convictions. It is measured not in trophies on a shelf, but in the quiet integrity of our daily choices.

So what can we take from his approach?

Questions for Audience.

1. Yogendra suggests altering religious rituals to be more eco-friendly. How does this approach of "evolving the practice" while "honoring the spirit" serve as a powerful model for driving change in other traditional or established systems, like a corporate culture?

2. The blog highlights Yogendra's refusal of the award trophies as a key action. What does this specific decision reveal about the difference between achieving success and embodying a principle?