Creating Awareness for Sustainable Goals: Reading Ruskin Bond’s Short Stories Through Bioregionalism Lenses

Abstract

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are evidence of the imbalance of human’s exploitation of nature through irresponsible consumption. This study has two purposes. First, it analyses how short stories and critical theories such as bioregionalism and ecocriticism can sensitize B-School learners to establish and sustain a lost relationship with nature. Second, it examines how establishing and reviving a solid relationship between purusha [human beings] and prakriti [nature] can help achieve SDGs through literature. To achieve these two aims, we critically examine Ruskin Bond’s short stories by employing the concept of bioregionalism. Our interpretation of the text and analysis of these stories showed strong connections between Bond’s short stories, bioregionalism and sensitizing readers. It was observed that if students are exposed to consuming such literature in their natural surroundings, it can increase their zeal to achieve SDGs. Incorporating literature in management education can raise awareness of responsible consumption as personal social responsibility.