Hello, fellow travelers!
The other day, I
read an excerpt from a book and I had this feeling of guilt wash over me. I
suppose it was because I love to travel, but before that day, I never really
thought of the effects it had on other cultures.
 |
| The Ladakhi |
Do you think you
know the effects? Well, there is a common Ladakhi saying, “Even if you know,
it’s better to ask another.” What I am trying to say is, it is time for the
book of the month!
Author: Helena
Norberg-Hodge
Price: $9.89 at Amazon
Description:
“The swiftly evolving socioeconomic life of Ladakh, whose people struggle to
balance growth and technology with cultural values, offers crucial lessons in
sustainable development. This gripping portrait of the western Himalayan land known
as “Little Tibet” moves from the author’s first visit to idyllic, nonindustrial
Ladakh in 1974 to the present, tracking profound changes as the region was
opened to foreign tourists, Western goods and technologies, and pressures for
economic growth. These changes in turn brought generational conflict,
unemployment, inflation, environmental damage, and threats to the traditional
way of life.
 |
| The Ladakhi Culture |
Appalled by
these negative impacts, the author helped establish the Ladakh Project (later
renamed the International Society for Ecology and Culture) to seek sustainable
solutions that preserve cultural integrity and environmental health, while
addressing the Ladakhis’ hunger for modernization. This model undertaking
effectively combines educational programs for all social levels with the
design, demonstration, and promotion of appropriate technologies such as solar
heating and small-scale hydro power.
Examining how
modernization changes the way people live and think, Norberg-Hodge challenges
us to redefine our concepts of “development” and “progress.” Above all, Ancient
Futures stresses the need to carry traditional wisdom into the future—our
urgent task as a global community.”
Not convinced
yet? Think about this quote from the book…
“At one village I witnessed a trekking group
armed with cameras, bon bons, and pens, virtually attacking the villagers.
Dressed in fluorescent greens, reds, and blues, they poked their cameras in
unsuspecting faces without a word and then moved on to their next victim.”
For more information on the Ladakhi:
**All quotes are from the book.
Happy reading!
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