Two years back, the Barcelona opera house reopened with a concert exclusively for potted plants! How thoughtfully beautiful!! Why can't we think of such initiatives that starts with paying an ode to nature? Take our sapling distribution. Does anyone care of their survival rate?
“Just living is not enough" said the butterfly, "one must have sunshine, freedom and a little flower". - Hans Christian Andersen, The Complete Fairy Tales
Apologies, after a prolonged break, I am back. Hopefully, the frequencies of my write-ups will be better henceforth. Thank you Suhasini Ahluwalia Mehta for giving me such an honest interview. You read like an open book and in the process, am sure, inspired many with your mind and its impressions.
I am grateful to all readers for loving and more importantly
writing back to express their joy and appreciation. Gratitude!
"Sudeshna you’ve captured the effervescent beauty of Suhasini Mehta
Ahluwalia..I always feel it’s the little things that matter and the little
things that add up". This was a comment made by one of our esteemed
readers, Kavita. This is so true of Suhasini. Every small thing that she has
initiated has ignited a catalytic chain of positive energy. I always feel that
she exudes a rare insight and truly brings her own sunshine in all that she
does.
I particularly take back the above-mentioned comment by Kavita. Yes, it
is the little things that matter and the little things that add up.. For, it is
here, that, we can do our bit to make not just a purposeful and thus a happy
life as much for ourselves as for others. Since last month was predominantly
the green month, what with world environment day, world ocean day and world
wind day huddling together, I would like to take this opportunity of reminding my readers of our responsibilities (part of our fundamental duties as enshrined in the Constitution of India) in preserving our natural environment. So that every month
can turn green with fresh titles!! What say?
While in June, there were some regular gathering of celebrities and ministers
for distributing saplings, and some warnings by way of some articles about the
horror of climate change. But either way, does it really serve our purpose of
replenishing the fast disappearing greens? By that logic, are we really attentive to our fundamental duties the way we perspire over fundamental rights?
I for one feel, fundamental rights have always been arresting our attentions more than it is needed. We as Indians have always been asking for things rather than doing our bits too. With changing times, we look for making quick bucks and indulge in consumerist lifestyle, often turning a Nelson's eye to all the marauding of nature happening at our backyards!Till we alter perspectives and consequent habits, changes are insignificant.
If you are still clueless to lifestyle changes that can impact our natural reserve, take a look.
Somewhere, I read, no less than a litre of water is wasted because of a leakage of a faucet. Yet, it is neither expensive, nor difficult to fix it, whether it is faulty faucets or broken pipes. Every time you flush, gallons of water gets used up. At least use recycled water instead of fresh water. Similarly, don't insist for fresh water when washing cars. To cherish this life-giving resource, we need to conserve it. Our country is one among the luckiest to be nurtured by so many water bodies. But like the air, it is equally if not more polluted. Again, not expensive, but simple measures can turn the clock around. Like stop using single use plastic bags. And let's not wait for government moves on these matters.
Single use plastics are lethal. I remember a line in the Hindi film, Mission Mangal, even iron gets rust and thus decay, but not plastic. They don't perish and keep polluting our water bodies so much that now the species dwelling there are getting affected and thus endangered. Yes, initially, it could be a problem. But, if you are determined to make a habit to carry a cloth bag and metal cutleries like spoon, fork and a straw ( their plastic replacements are seen in many eating joints), every time you step out, then our country, will soon become a magical place to live in - cleaner and greener. Even when you are going to office, carry a cloth bag and the cutleries, in your vanity bag. Replace a cosmetic with a cutlery if space is limited. If you want to be more purposeful, be like Delhi's Dr Ruby Makhija. The good doctor distributes cloth bags to vendors to be given to customers at a price of Rs 20 each. They will be redeemed when they return the bag. Similarly, take water as much you could drink, don't give a full glass to a guest either. Rather than an indulgent shower, use a bucket at least some days in a week to start with. Turn off the tap while brushing, shaving etc. Stop or minimise usage of thermocols, tissue papers and papers.
You draw your own list and make it your resolution. Make your lifestyle more environment-responsible and not just environment-friendly. When you are responsible, you are accountable.
You are accountable when you value something or someone. There is a beautiful clip from the hindi serial Anupama where the protagonist is urging parents to take their children to the villages so that they can see how wheat, paddy etc are grown, touch it and smell it. In the process, they will feel empathetic enough as not to waste or throw away end products like chapatis.
Smell the roses, cherish the sunlight, lap up the water, hug a tree, organise a picnic, take a walk in the local park/garden/forest etc. In short, embrace nature.
Two years back, on June 24, 2020, the Barcelona opera house reopened with concert exclusively for potted plants! How thoughtfully beautiful!! Why can't we think of such initiatives?
Please do share your thoughts on this and any initiative you feel is a perfect ode to nature.
Hope that our minds and our world become greener. Amen.
#Constitution of India# Sudeshna Chatterjee# Barcelona opear house# Nature# Butterfly# Suhasini Ahluwalia Mehta# Dr Ruby Makhija# Mission Mangal# Anupama#
