Rural India has abundant natural resources and immense vernacular knowledge. The time-tested Knowledge of our Rural People – Farmers, Artisans, Forest Dwellers and Women is a great intangible wealth which ought to be used to progress towards a humane and ecological world. In implementing development programs of sanitation, housing, well-being & livelihoods, there is immense value in a framework that respects inclusion, complementarity, natural abundance and aesthetics (सामाजिकता, परस्परता, समृद्धि, सौंदर्य दृष्टि). Such a framework promotes grassroots creativity, frugal innovation, sustainable design and interconnectedness.
Explore His WorkCompassion and Equity were fundamental principles that I grew up with. It was during my first Master's Degree that the journeys in the Western Ghats exposed me to the immense diversity, beauty and wonder that is the natural world. These journeys gave me the experience of natural abundance and amazing interconnectedness. This took me to study of the Mahatma's life & work where one was touched by the unconditional respect for all living and non-living beings. I began to appreciate how rich it was to practice frugal living. During my doctoral research, I was drawn to the the concepts of just development, green activism and community knowledge. I began questioning the oppressive nature of reductionist thinking and fragmented ways of living. This resulted in deeper learning from amazing scholars who had spent decades in understanding tradition and interconnectedness. The simple yet profound works enabled me to always connect to the creative possibilities in existence and to the opportunities to always experience abundance. It has been and continues to be a joyous journey of learning and self-discovery !
Professional Experience
Academic Positions
Education
Dr. Chariar suggests Sanitation in India as an opportunity to unleash disruptive technology at UNDP’s Social Good Summit 2014.
Dr. Chariar speaks about his Fulbright experience with the United States India Educational Foundation (USIEF)
S Ramesh Sakthivel and V M Chariar,
Ministry of Rural Development,
2011
V M Chariar
Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi
2013
S. Ramesh Sakthivel, Md Azizur Rahman, V. Ganesh Prabhu, V M Chariar
2020
Indo US Roundtable with Walton Sustainability Solutions Initiative
October 2015