#100sareepact (3/100)

I am an activist and proud to be one. I don’t shy away from that label. It doesn’t mean one goes around shouting slogans and taking out ‘dharnas’ on the streets. I speak up for causes close to my heart. At times offer silent support and try and incorporate/implement in my own lifestyle.

These days it is all about social activism. We sit at our desks and type out support via online petitions or perform an online transfer to send money in a matter of seconds to any part of the world, towards relief measures.

When I was fresh out of college and consumed with all the fire in the belly about things I felt strongly about, a friend said ‘Why bother running about, slogging in the heat/getting your hands dirty (depending on the issue) when you can just send a cheque in the mail? Found that attitude rather disconcerting. If being passive and hoping that ‘someone or other’ will ‘do something’ and watching from a distance, would much change take place? What if everyone began to think this way? Who would do the actual work? There are a miniscule percentage of passionate people in every field. While not all of us can be dedicated social workers, surely we can atleast support them in our own way, using our own skills and resources? Many do, these days, unlike a few years ago, but it seems never enough gets done. But at least one can try. And keep at it, and not in a one-off event.

Am a firm believer in the concept of ‘paying it forward’. It is easy to become one-dimensional and consumed in today’s selfie-obsessed world, confining our time and energy within our own homes and work life. Rarely finding the time to look over our shoulder to see if we can stop and help someone. Training for marathons is great since many of them support various causes. It has become a trend now. But there is a personal benefit of improved health and feeling good and then flashing it on social media that ‘I did it’. Nothing wrong with that at all. Many could get inspired or just wanna ‘be in on it’. As long as it’s a good thing, that’s just great.

But surely we can do some more. How about paying it forward where there are absolutely nil self-benefits? Even the simplest of things like helping an elderly person with their bags, holding the door open for a wheelchair-bound person, sparing the time to thank the guy/girl who fills up your fuel or rings up your bill at the checkout line. Or just sharing a smile and maybe even a quick chat with someone less fortunate. Ok, there is a benefit in all of the above – you will get a smile and you can also smile back! It costs nothing! 🙂

How many of us stop to do the little things? Am sometimes shaken at the insensitivity or complete lack of awareness in many kids and young parents these days. Good manners are a rare virtue to come by. Nobody has the time to even smile and wish ‘Good day’ or politely ask ‘How are you?’ You either get elbowed or jostled or just plain ignored. It is sad that nobody has the time for anyone anymore. Paying someone a genuine compliment is looked at suspiciously! It is a rough world we live in today.

I practice gratitude for every single aspect of my existence and try to be thankful for the littlest of ‘luxuries’. From air, water, and of course material comforts that we take so much for granted.

I try my best to be aware, read up, and practice being a discerning consumer. Don’t want to throw up my hands in despair and shrug and say ‘Well, this is the way things are, nothing I can do’. I believe there is something each one of us can do. From making simple changes in our lifestyles by taking that li’l extra effort. And comprehending how even our daily or simple actions can affect others by a huge magnitude.

Even if it means waiting for that hard-to-get organic product instead of picking up an easily available mass-produced, processed product, because eating healthy is as important as supporting a hardworking farmer. Going to a local neighbourhood market or buying from a roadside vendor and supporting their income, instead of shopping at huge global retail convenience stores. Always carrying cloth bags to avoid picking up plastic bags. Making ethical choices such as using jute bags instead of leather. Carrying my own water and refilling it instead of buying bottled water when I travel.

Buying natural textiles like handlooms so that the weaving community receives its due credit for their unbelievably amazing skills and hard labour. Do we want our weavers to end up like our farmers? Ironically, educated people are now opting to go back to their roots to eat healthy by growing their own food organically; they are giving up their corporate careers to start an organic farm (it’s lucrative as well, so there’s the added bonus). The world comes full circle but not before it swallows some along the way, some who cannot keep up with the changing times and/or due to lack of coordinated, massive urban support.

I’ve always felt very strongly about hand-woven goods that are hand-made by rural artisans. At one level, the #100sareepact is creates waves the world over, and ironically alongside, our handloom weavers are about to be robbed of their livelihood. The very sarees we wear and care so much about, might no longer be available very soon.

This is a very old, much loved, and well-worn hand-blockprinted saree from Madhya Pradesh bought at a craft exhibition of weavers and artisans, many years ago. It has faded but is so, so soft and I still love the print. Just don’t have the heart to let it go.