Sangha of Auspicious Companions

What Does India’s Jugaad Culture Reveal About Sustainable Living?

In a world moving at breakneck speed, where convenience cuts craftsmanship, there exists a timeless culture of repair, reuse, and reinvention deeply woven into the fabric of India. From the cobblers in Lucknow carefully mending soles with a “hathoda” and “sui,” to Jaipur’s artisanal printing presses leaving a smaller carbon footprint, these timeless trades stand resilient against a tide of disposability. Here lies the spirit of jugaad, a testament to simple resourcefulness, where artisans silently weave sustainability into throwaway culture of the chaotic urban sprawl. Their humble trades embody a profound question for the modern world: in our rush to speed up, what valuable skills and traditions might we lose? By embracing the art of fixing, these quiet custodians remind us: “While the world moves fast, there are still places where traditional methods hold strong.” Traversing Delhi’s backstreets and Jaipur’s vibrant markets, we witness the importance of preserving these community-driven trades that mitigate waste and promote a circular economy.

Be The Change

See if you can fix the next belonging you intend to throw away — mend a frayed seam, replace the broken part of an appliance, or support a local cobbler, tailor, or repairperson.