VOLUME 3, ISSUE 7, JULY 2026

Abstract: This paper undertakes a systematic philosophical examination of Rabindranath Tagore’s ecological consciousness and evaluates its enduring relevance for contemporary environmental ethics. Situating Tagore within the intersecting traditions of Upanishadic non-dualism, Baul immanentism, and Romantic naturalism, the paper identifies three constitutive dimensions of his ecological philosophy: the relational ontology of nature expressed through his concept of “jeevan-devata”; the ethical orientation of “viswa-bodh” or cosmic awareness as a cultivated moral capacity; and the pedagogical institutionalization of ecological values at Shantiniketan as a living experiment in environmental education. The paper then brings these ideas into critical dialogue with major currents of contemporary environmental ethics—deep ecology, biocentrism, ecocriticism, and environmental pragmatism—identifying both significant structural convergences and philosophically important points of tension. It further subjects Tagore’s ecological vision to rigorous scrutiny from the perspectives of postcolonial ecocriticism and political ecology, arguing that while his aesthetico- spiritual framework offers genuine and underexplored philosophical resources, it requires supplementation by sustained attention to power, environmental justice, and the material conditions of ecological harm. The paper concludes by proposing three reconstructive moves through which a critically updated Tagorean environmental ethics can make a genuinely distinctive contribution to global ecological discourse in the twenty-first century.

Keywords: Tagore, Ecological Consciousness, Environmental Ethics, Deep Ecology, Biocentrism, Viswa-Bodh, Postcolonial Ecocriticism, Advaita Vedanta, Shantiniketan, Anthropocentrism

Abstract: Government welfare schemes play a essential role in promoting socio-economic empowerment, reducing poverty, and achieving sustainable development in India. Among these initiatives, the “Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act” (MGNREGA) has emerged as one of the most significant employment generation programmes for rural households. The present study examines the impact of government welfare schemes on socio- economic empowerment and sustainability by analysing the relationship between employment generation under MGNREGA and poverty reduction measured through the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG-1) Index. The article is based on secondary data collected from the Ministry of Rural Development and NITI Aayog reports covering the period 2018–2023. Trend and comparative analyses were employed to examine changes in employment generation and poverty reduction. The findings reveal that increased employment opportunities under MGNREGA are positively associated with improvements in the SDG-1 Index, indicating a reduction in poverty and enhancement of rural livelihoods. The study concludes that effective implementation of welfare schemes contributes significantly to inclusive growth, socio-economic empowerment, and long-term sustainability. Strengthening implementation, improving awareness, and integrating skill development with employment programmes are recommended to maximize the impact of welfare initiatives.

Keywords: Government Welfare Schemes, MGNREGA, Socio-economic Empowerment, Poverty Reduction, Sustainable Development, SDG-1, Rural Employment.