“Jugaad”

Wikipedia definition-” Jugaad (alternatively Juggaar) is a colloquial Hindi (Devanagiri जुगाड़) and Punjabi word, literally meaning a hack. It is generally used as word to represent an innovative fix or a simple work-around, used for solutions that bend rules, or a resource that can be used as such, or a person who can solve a complicated issue. This meaning is often used to signify creativity to make existing things work or to create new things with meager resources.”

(This post is inspired by the launch of 20 satellites in a single mission by India, produced at a fraction of the cost of NASA satellites.)

In the midst of resources scant, ingenuity runs high

Feet planted on earth, eyes lifted towards the sky

Out of box thinking has always been in vogue

Hacking is a way of life, call them maverick or rogue

When they come up with products at a fraction 

Of the cost involved in a developed nation

That work equally well,  less energy consume

Leave critics awestruck, they can no longer assume

That the product, being cheap, must be inferior

Granted, less appealing might be its exterior

This capability of “jugaad” is inherent to every Indian

Survival in paucity requires principles Darwinian

Most days they are loud, chaotic, disorganized

But once in a while, the world is surprised

By the unexpected display of ingenuity profound

Leaving agape critics and economists all around

Frugal thinking and flexibility are features salient

Of “jugaad”, the concept that’s quite ancient

Maybe the rest of the world with shrinking reserves

Should take a page out of Indian books to conserve

Precious resources that might one day disappear

Learn to make do with less, and scarcity not fear..

(Image source: https://www.linkedin.com/topic/jugaad-innovation)