An Ode We Owe by Amanda Gorman!

I recently saw a video of Amanda Gorman rendering her new poem "An Ode We Owe" at the SDG Moment at the UN Headquarters. This poem really moves my heart as it talks about how each one of us has to do our own individual part to be able to better society. It also sheds light on how it is very important to be aware of your surroundings and also how urgent action is necessary to combat these issues.

I relate to this poem as I also believe that it is essential to be aware and to combat these issues collectively. A few lines of this poem that stayed with me are:

"I only ask that you care before it's too late, that you live aware and awake, that you lead with love in hours of hate. I challenge you to heed this call, I dare you to shape our fate. Above all, I dare you to do good, so that the world might great,"

“This morn, let it be sworn that we are one human kin, grounded not just by the griefs we bear, but by the good we begin to anyone out there. I only ask that you care before it's too late. That you live aware and awake, that you lead with love in hours of hate."

https://www.reuters.com/world/poet-amanda-gorman-k-pops-blackpink-push-global-goals-un-2022-09-19/

MSMEs: The Way Forward for Capacity Building and Growth

I recently read an article that talks about how MSMEs (Micro Small and Medium Enterprises) have been one of the major factors behind India's economic growth. This article describes MSMEs as India's growth engine and also highlights how they contribute to nearly one-third of India's GDP.

In the past few years, the government has also been promoting MSMEs through various schemes such as the Prime Minister Employment Generation Programme and Micro and Small Enterprises Cluster Development Programme. These have helped build capacity, while also contributing to the growth of the economy. This capacity is built as these MSMEs require greater investment in human capital, while also equipping people with skills that a needed in the future. Building Capacity is of utmost importance as it also helps one solve global challenges.

https://www.livemint.com/news/india/msmes-are-the-growth-engine-of-india-contribute-30-to-the-gdp-11663347449050.html

https://www.investindia.gov.in/schemes-msmes-india

Japan: A country where SDGs has become a part of daily conversations.

This morning, I read an interesting New York Times article titled "Why is This Colorful Little Wheel Suddenly Everywhere Japan?" This article talks about how a few years ago SDG logos started appearing on the lapels of salarymen across Japan and then spread to being put up in shops, playgrounds, and also on Buddhist temples' websites. The presence of these logos nearly everywhere has shown Japan's national commitment to achieving SDGs.

This large presence of SDGs in Japanese society also highlights how they are one country that has truly embraced the campaign of promoting awareness about SDGs. Japan has made sure that this awareness starts all the way in the classroom and continues through life, with children being taught about SDGs in their social studies classes and companies adopting SDGs in their charters.

Unfortunately, this enthusiasm about SDGs has not translated into much direct action and impact. A UN report last year also talked about Japan's great job in raising awareness about SDGs but stated that Japan was still "lagging behind" in the development of "objective" and "science-based" program targets. Some other reports also talked about how Japan is lacking in gender equality. It shows how even though awareness about SDGs is an important area, it is more important to make sure that there is progress on all of them.

https://www.nytimes.com/2022/08/25/business/japan-sdg.html#:~:text=It's%20the%20logo%20of%20the%20United%20Nations'%20Sustainable%20Development%20Goals.