Nature and Us: A Powerful Conversation at the 31st Beyond Square Feet Lecture

At Asset Homes, we believe a home isn’t just made of walls – it’s part of the world around it. On June 5th, to mark World Environment Day, we hosted the 31st edition of our Beyond Square Feet lecture series at KMA Management House in Ernakulam. The event centered on a simple yet powerful idea: the profound connection between humans and nature.

The keynote speaker for the evening was well-known Malayalam poet and writer P. N. Gopikrishnan, who shared meaningful stories and insights. He reminded us how today’s world often forgets its bond with nature. Quoting from the poem “Pallikkoodathilekku Veendum" by Edasseri, he painted a picture of a child being told to say goodbye to the birds before starting school – a moment that shows how systems and routines can sometimes pull us away from the natural world. Gopikrishnan also spoke about the famous photo of Earth taken by the Voyager spacecraft – the “Pale Blue Dot.” It’s a reminder of how small, fragile, and shared our planet truly is. He gave real-life examples, like the Dust Bowl in America and the Four Pests Campaign in China, to show how ignoring nature can lead to disaster.

His message was clear: we must not see ourselves as separate from the Earth. We are part of it – and we must take care of it, together. We should never be reduced to mere vote banks, our purpose lies beyond that. Mr. V. Sunil Kumar, Founder and Managing Director of Asset Homes, welcomed guests and shared why Beyond Square Feet matters. “Nature is not something outside of us – it’s a part of who we are,” he said.

The evening began with high tea and ended with the national anthem – but in between, it left everyone with something to think about. As always, Beyond Square Feet wasn’t just an event – it was a reminder that the true value of a home lies in how well it lives in harmony with nature.

YouTube: