Universal Well-being

Introduction: Well-being as the True Measure of Progress

For centuries, progress has been measured in terms of economic growth, industrial output, or GDP. Yet, without health, dignity, and happiness, development loses its meaning. True progress must be measured by universal well-being: a state where every individual has access to clean air, safe water, nutritious food, healthcare, mental health support, and a healthy environment.

The United Nations recognizes this under SDG 3 (Good Health & Well-being), but well-being extends far beyond hospitals and clinics. It is also about:

  • The quality of the environment we live in.
  • The mental peace and social security people experience.
  • The equity of access to healthcare and resources across rural and urban areas.
  • The resilience of communities to shocks — pandemics, climate change, or economic crises.

Pradeep Global Foundation (PGF) understands that health and environment are inseparable. A polluted river cannot nurture healthy children. A smoke-filled city cannot ensure respiratory safety. A degraded ecosystem cannot support human nutrition. This is why Universal Well-being is a central focus of PGF’s mission.

 

 

The Challenge of Well-being in India

India, with its 1.3 billion citizens, faces unique well-being challenges:

  1. Air Pollution:
    • India is home to 14 of the world’s 20 most polluted cities.
    • Air pollution causes over 1.6 million deaths annually (Lancet, 2020).
  2. Water & Sanitation Gaps:
    • Millions lack access to safe drinking water and sanitation.
    • Waterborne diseases remain one of the leading causes of child mortality.
  3. Nutrition & Food Security:
    • Malnutrition affects over 30% of children under five.
    • Rising climate stress threatens food systems.
  4. Mental Health:
    • India faces rising stress, depression, and anxiety.
    • Social stigma prevents access to proper care.
  5. Inequality in Access:
    • Rural areas lack healthcare infrastructure.
    • Urban poor often live in unsafe, polluted conditions.

 

PGF’s Approach to Universal Well-being

PGF believes that well-being is holistic — encompassing physical, mental, social, and environmental health.

  1. Linking Environment & Health
  • Conducting programs that show communities the link between clean air, safe water, and human health.
  • Demonstrating how climate change directly increases diseases like dengue, malaria, and respiratory infections.
  1. Community Health Awareness Campaigns
  • Organizing workshops on hygiene, nutrition, and preventive healthcare.
  • Promoting eco-sanitation practices that improve both health and dignity.
  • Collaborating with schools for “Healthy Child, Healthy Planet” programs.
  1. Nutrition & Food Security
  • Promoting kitchen gardens and organic farming at the community level.
  • Educating families on nutritious diets to combat malnutrition.
  • Linking sustainable agriculture with improved health outcomes.
  1. Mental Health & Nature Connection
  • Promoting green spaces, yoga, and mindfulness practices.
  • Encouraging community engagement in tree planting and river clean-ups as a way to restore mental well-being.
  • Addressing social stigma around mental health by linking it to holistic sustainability.
  1. Equity & Inclusion
  • Ensuring that women, children, and marginalized groups benefit from health and well-being initiatives.
  • Promoting gender-sensitive health awareness, including reproductive health and menstrual hygiene.

 

Alignment with the UN SDGs

PGF’s Universal Well-being focus contributes to:

  • SDG 3: Good Health & Well-being – improving physical and mental health.
  • SDG 6: Clean Water & Sanitation – clean water as a precondition for health.
  • SDG 2: Zero Hunger – nutrition and food security.
  • SDG 11: Sustainable Cities & Communities – safe, inclusive, and resilient cities.
  • SDG 13: Climate Action – reducing health risks linked to climate change.

 

French Inspiration & International Frameworks

France has historically emphasized solidarity, social justice, and public health as part of its sustainability agenda. PGF draws inspiration from:

  • Agence Française de Développement (AFD): Supporting health, water, and climate-linked projects in developing nations.
  • Fondation de France: Promoting social equity, mental health initiatives, and community resilience.
  • Fondation Nicolas Hulot: Linking environmental quality with human dignity and well-being.
  • Ministry of Health & Ministry for Ecological Transition: France’s dual approach linking healthcare systems with environmental protection.
  • French National Strategy for Food & Nutrition: A framework promoting sustainable food systems that ensure both planetary and human health.
  • French Social Model: A global benchmark for universal healthcare, inclusion, and solidarity.

PGF adapts these inspirations in India by:

  • Promoting nutrition & community gardens modeled after France’s sustainable food policies.
  • Linking air & water quality to healthcare in awareness campaigns.
  • Advocating for universal, eco-linked healthcare models.

 

Case Example: “Healthy River, Healthy People” Program

During PGF’s river clean-up at Brijghat, we conducted a parallel community health awareness campaign:

  • Educating locals about how polluted water spreads diseases.
  • Demonstrating low-cost water filtration methods.
  • Linking ecological responsibility with family health outcomes.

The result: communities began to see environmental action not just as climate work but as direct health protection.

 

Future Roadmap: Building a Culture of Well-being

PGF’s goals for Universal Well-being include:

  1. Green Health Villages:
    • Pilot villages with clean air, safe water, kitchen gardens, and eco-sanitation — combining environment + health.
  2. Franco-Indian Health Dialogues:
    • Joint programs with French institutions (AFD, Fondation de France, ADEME) to bring best practices to India.
  3. Youth Mental Health Initiatives:
    • Building “Nature & Mind” clubs for students to connect mental well-being with ecology.
  4. Health-Linked CSR Partnerships:
    • Partnering with corporates to improve community nutrition, sanitation, and green spaces.
  5. Annual Well-being Report:
    • Publishing PGF’s “State of Well-being” index linking health, environment, and climate resilience.

 

 

Conclusion: Well-being as Sustainability in Action

Universal well-being is not charity — it is justice. It is about ensuring that every person, regardless of income, gender, or geography, has the right to live a healthy and dignified life.

At PGF, we see well-being as the ultimate outcome of sustainability. Clean rivers mean fewer diseases. Trees mean cleaner air and calmer minds. Women’s empowerment means stronger families. Renewable energy means safer, healthier communities.

Inspired by France’s social solidarity model and guided by the United Nations SDGs, PGF is building a future where India’s grassroots communities enjoy health, dignity, and happiness — in harmony with nature.

“Travailler pour la nature – Working for Nature.”