Sigma Six Q: Air Quality - The Second Quality

As a symbol, Sigma (Σ, σ) is used to typically denote a “mathematical sum” or “standard deviation”. In our context, it is a “sum” and to quote Revered Prof. Prem Saran Satsangi, “Sigma means that all these (six) aspects or components have interaction amongst themselves and the cumulative effect of all these is many times more than their individual effect.”

In the words of Revered Prof. Prem Saran Satsangi, “You are nowadays witnessing world-wide emphasis that environment does not get polluted and it is protected. For this purpose, SPHEEHA (Society for preservation of Health, Environment and Ecology and Heritage of Agra) is there, Supreme Court is there. All of them are taking steps for it. At this time, often it appears to be conflicting to the growth of industry. On this account, there are delays in the way of our progress. But, it is necessary to see whatever air and water is there in our environment, we should pay attention to their high quality, so that we are protected against diseases and lead a healthy life which is necessary if we want to achieve fully the ideal of Better Worldliness. Thus, there are two other excellence's in Quality – Air Quality and Water Quality which are inseparable parts of Dayalbagh Way of Life.”

The second Quality for a Sustainable Way of Life is Air Quality.

How does Dayalbagh ensure high standards of Air Quality?

The Dayalbagh campus is situated in garden settings, away from the din and noise of the city. Nestled between lush green fields, fruit bearing tree orchards, tree lined roads, it remains in harmony with nature.

Petrol (Gasoline) two-wheelers are not allowed inside the campus. Driving cars for commuting within the campus is restricted. Most men, women and children walk or cycle on the tree lined roads. This serves three purposes, people are healthier, promotes social equality and the air is sparkling clean. People who find it difficult walking/ cycling, utilize Cycle Rickshaw/ Battery operated e-Rickshaw service or Solar Augmented-Battery operated Bus.

There is a monthly 300-unit limit on residential grid power usage. Residences further augment this with clean solar power. Use of residential generators is prohibited. In the dry Agra summers, traditional methods of cooling or low power consuming coolers are utilized.

In terms of farming practices, there is a mix of manual and mechanized farming. All inhabitants (whether an academician or an entrepreneur or a person in service or a retiree) participate in community farming for a couple of hours each day. The community works together fostering a spirit of brotherhood, is healthier and need for mechanized farming reduces substantially. Further the Community Kitchen (Bhandar Ghar) uses Gasifiers for better efficiency and Solar-Thermal Cooking.

There is no burning of left over stalks post harvesting. These are utilized as Animal fodder or re-tilled into the land.

The cumulative effect of these is crisp and clean air, a quality necessary for a Sustainable Way of Life.

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In the next post, we will cover "Water" quality.

The above post is by Anurag Singh, Editor of the Sigma Six Q blog.