Say 'NO' to plastic

I was already late, 16 bags, carefully crafted by my cousin sat in my cupboard for over a month now, I had to implement my plan. I got out of bed, made breakfast and got ready in a jiffy. My heart beat skipped as I reached the store - M.K Retail.
Without any hesitation, I reached the first man coming out of the store and asked him if he would answer a questionnaire for me.


Name
Email ID (to contact them if I do something in the future)

1. Do u know the environmental disaster caused by plastic?

Yes No

2. What does plastic do?
a) Kill animals, sea creatures after they eat the plastics along with the food in it
b) Emit toxins when burned
c) Release harmful gases when buried
d) All the above

3. What do we do?
a) Recycle - very expensive
b) Reuse - not practical
c) BAN

He answered my plastic awareness questionnaire, I had jotted down on one-side used paper from Siddharth's office.
"Name and email is optional, I'll use the email to inform you if I am doing something in the future," I clarified. As my first respondent finished with the questionnaire, I spoke to him about the ill effects of plastic; then meekly pulled out a jute bag with, "Would you like to buy a bag?". "No, some other time," and he walked away.
I went to my next respondent. Another middle aged man, reached the last question and looked up, "BAN? Not possible. Plastic has got into our lives." Sad as the observation / fact was, I positively told him that plastic has been successfully banned in some places and how making a small shopping bag change, can save animals living with us in our society.
A couple walked away, saying they are busy while others wanted to finish their shopping first. As the sun rose to the centre of our universe, many women made their way to the store and I got more respondents. A young lady smiled and said, "I'll buy one for your enthu." Oh yeah, I need that. She bought a huge jute bag and another cute, tiny one; one you'll like to gift someone. My first Rs 100, glad, my heart sped up a bit.
A couple walking out with Marie biscuit and toothbrush; agreed with my cause; with the woman saying, "I know about plastic. I am a teacher, I need to highlight this." "Will you buy a small bag?" "Of course," her husband came forth and actually exchanged the cloth bag with the plastic one he had just got. Smile!

I got talking with my people I met and eagerly told them how I avoid plastic in what ever form it comes. "I started composting to avoid throwing garbage in plastic bags, that's how the cows find them. I also use very few diapers for my baby, only for long outings." As they say, leading by example."
Women then asked me, how I managed the nights without diapers. "Numerous in-between checks", I smile. "Even I didn't use diapers for my child," the teacher added.

"I am an advocate," she paused with a cynical look, and removed a cloth bag from her purse, "I carry a cloth bag always but just lazy and sometimes not sufficient," as she already had 3 plastic bags in her trolley.

A beautiful woman in her forties, walked passed hurriedly but took time to answer my questionnaire. "Oh, I am into it too. I compost my kitchen waste." Oh the joy of meeting like minded people.

To another one:
"Oh, I have cloth bags at home"
"So you'll use your bag the next time you come shopping?"

As I reached my 15th questionnaire, I contemplated going home to bake my much delayed cake! Just then I saw a young boy looking at me as he walked with his parents to the car. Parents had a plastic bag each with just bought goodies. What better catch than a young guy blushing away? He ticked the questionnaire and slowly looked up. "Would you like to buy a small bag?" "No, maybe some other time." "A small one, you can gift it to someone," I pushed showing a bright pink one. "It's fashionable." "I'll take the this one," taking a yellow and brown one." another Rs 100 and I skipped my way home, happy , very happy.

Hope you are carrying your CLOTH BAG today!!!

Baby, Clothes, Stroll and more

I never thought I would find attainment in my homemaker’s role. From the usual everyday dal to the lip –smacking Jerk Chicken, I find my happiness in everyday things. I might miss my 7pm episode of ‘Friends’, but not checking recipes online. Is this change or just a phase?
Change brought about by the most important person in my life – my daughter. Eight months back, I just wanted to know how the ‘mother of all biological procedure’ will happen with me and today, I am engrossed in my domestic life; like I never was anything other than a stay-at-home mom.
Career etc seems alien to me now and all I can think of is the water for my baby’s bath and what’s cooking and what ought to be cooking for the next meal.
But the glam lifestyle attracts me still and I am always ready with a chic attire. Actually, I think I have made more time for it as my outings are limited and I might as well do them in style. Not to forget my curler for all those curls I wanted to get years ago. Spaghetti top and trendy jeans, low heels, no make up but an eye-catching stole for sure. So motherhood has surely seen me inventing; not re-inventing as I was never here before.
Today, I would rather re-organise my cupboards, spring clean, try a hand at baking (which is alien to me as sushi is to Kamala ben), crochet and not think about my career graph and life goals. I would rather entertain guests than laze away my afternoons. But hey, my afternoons were booked with one more important thing – washing clothes!!! Yes, you read it right. I absolutely love to wash my clothes. With my bai suddenly missing from action and loads of laundry waiting in soaked buckets; I could only get to washing them as I had fretted and complained about all the other chores. This only just needed to be done. Amen!
So there I was, juggling baby with cooking, one morning after my husband left for office. As the day began to unfold, baby got tired and decided to sleep. But I knew no sleep, my mind raced to the waiting clothes and I tip-toed into the bathroom. Scrub, scrub...rinse rinse; another rinse in Dettol and I heard my baby’s call. I rushed before she could be fully awake and as she slept, my wet toes took me back to finish the drying session. I took my wet clothes, squeezed the excess water and enjoyed the breeze as I put them on the clothes line. Gayatri aunty from the next building came by at her balcony and we chatted about her daughter's first born, Ganesh Chaturi and the missing bais again.
Happy, I’m done. My baby smiles in her sleep, sweetly, innocently; let life remain like this one movement. But there those eyes pop up and it's time for baby's evening stroll in the park.
'Papu, papu', the garden aaji calls out, mali nods happily, baby smiles at kids on the swings and I return home after two flights of stairs - back to my abode!!! Phew!!!! Tired? What's that?
Tomorrow's another day, another set of anxieties. But I am ready, I am fine; having the best sleep after a laborious day.

Of husbands and tomato soups

Blue lilies, calm sea, a dog at my heels; I look around and see no one and am happy. Yes happy! Trrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr, goes my door bell and I wake up. Wake up only to turn around and pull my blanket over my head again... another day!
“Ondu tea maadi”, I hear my husband. Need to get up and drink it for him, scan the newspaper for him and share his thoughts on the latest news bite for him. I lean back into the sofa I thought would, fit into our hall and into our lives and give me happiness. As I lean back, I remember it’s breakfast time (for him).
Marriage, they say is difficult but I think it’s difficult to understand. What makes you happy? What burdens you? What keeps you going?
I return from office after a joke and a meeting; one deadline and loads of work. I enter my abode with carrots, capsicum, mushrooms, fruits and vanila ice cream. As my macroni boils and I cut my capsicum and mushroom; the thoughts from morning return to me. But they are all too unknown now. What was I thinking? This is my life and I love it. Veggies are done, tomato sauce is yummy, now to add the wonderful ingredient – cheese!!! Yes, I love cooking and I lovely life! Smile.
Chaos, redefined. No system problems, no editorial deadlines, no meetings scheduled... this is home. Baby crying for a stroll, NDTV news bursting into the living area, friends calling on the cell, hubby trying to make sense of it all – oh my delicious palak paneer just got burnt – Ouch!
Ok, all settled. Dinners done all I need now is a pillow; but would love to trade it for a pedicure, soft music – possible you think? Now? But I want it on a yatch. Oh yeah!
So I reach my pillow and lights go off, Amen!!! I think of Edison, Thomas Edison.
I still can’t make sense. Shopping with hubby. Sexy top for me, manly watch for you. Curtains for kiddy room, crystals for decor. Matching shoes for me, handful of romantic candles for us and a teddy for childhood sake. I’m done, I’m happy. I am a homemaker.
I wake up next morning, and type out my life to a friend – everything ok, everything fine!!!

Brrrrrrrrrrrrraeddddddddd!!!

Tired of the routine, I went shopping and this was no ordinary shopping. Into my 7^th month and not showing much, I made my way to the maternity section. One and two and no more of the expensive maternity wear. My mind was racing onto a new section – the lingerie section!!!

Aaah!!! The rows and columns of chic bras; variety, colours, laces galore. To top it all, I was armed with a good reason to shop for all the above. The salesgirl came by and waited patiently for me to look around till I asked her to measure me for a trial. Happy, I went ahead and picked one up, “My size, please.” (don’t expect me to put it online, do you? ;) Soon, I was in the changing room, trying it out… ooooooooh I simply loved it. I came out hungry for more and the experience, feel and touch was more to be left unsavored. After 4 more trials, I felt refreshed and happy…

Never knew such a routine activity can actually be so exciting and adventurous. Almost like a new discovery but then the entire pregnancy period is one of excitement and discovery. I am unaware as to why I cherish this memory so much… the nice auto ride to the mall alone, the helpful saleswoman and the peaceful billing counter, gives me a feel good memory; not to mention the many pleasant trials.

I again made a quick visit to the western maternity section and saw a young couple trying out fancy maternity clothes. Feeling a hint of loneliness, I moved ahead to check out the same. As I was deciding on a softest-pair-of-pants on the planet, with a flexible tummy area, I was distracted by something; something very alien to me yet intruding especially when I was on a complete personal gratification trip. The ‘husband’ of the nice couple was looking in my direction and with more than curious eyes… What???? I couldn’t understand, so you’ll chat up with me while your expecting wife is changing into her mod-mom suit? You want to know the trimester I am on or want my mobile cum personal number?

So much for a couple shopping, I thought and couldn’t help but smile by myself in the changing room at the irony of life even in delicate situations. I bundled up my possessions and made my way to the baby section for baby safe plug points. As I was making my way towards home, I was seemingly tired and the all-enthu, auto driver added to my woes with his bumpy auto ride; but I’ll always cherish this shopping trip.

Curious relationship

I am drawn to him, day or night; I can always make time for him. An unassuming part of my life, but a very important one. Like a pet or a sampling, he asks for my attention and only unconditional love pulls me to him.
Uncertainty filled me as we started our relationship. “How far will it go?’ my friend asked concerned. But looking at each other with each passing day, we knew our bond would only grow. Everyday, I keep a watchful eye on what he is nourished with. That being an important part of our relationship, it’s an important part of my mornings. I leave him alone giving him the much needed space and time and he only rewards me bountifully, when we meet again.
We have raised curious eyebrows and people only want to know more about relationship. It’s more than 6 months now and my compost pot has yielded enough manure to nourish a small garden.
Simple concern on the growing rubbish on the streets made me turn to a simple earthen pot, in which I store all my biodegradable kitchen waste. Doubt and uncertainty saw me open the lid the first couple of times but the debris of my last night’s dinner only attracted me more. I mixed the compost affectionately and looked for any plastic remains that may obstruct the decomposing. Sprinkling lime to wade away the smell, dry grass and newspaper pieces to dry up the pile – I was turning around good! Soon I graduated to 2 pots; one for collection and the other for storage. Finally, the black residue at the bottom of my first pot signalled the passage of time and fresh manure made me proud. I anxiously set about straining my manure and the touch of the fine earth, made it worth the wait.
The smell, the process of decomposing, the rodents, mixing up a wet pile and finally straining the fine black soil – fruits of labour. I gifted my small work of art to a couple of like minded people, with a pride that one feels presenting a tempting dish or a kanjivaram saree.
Couldn’t have asked for a better relationship with my compost pot. And for the process of composting, I never knew one can find happiness, cutting a rotten water melon skin, only to put in my pot part by part.
In this simple process of nature, I have learnt that beauty lies inconspicuous everyday things that we sometime called ‘ugly’; only inspection doesn’t lead to accomplishments but hands on service does, what’s inside counts and it’s the humble manure, which makes the flowers bloom bright.

Memorable break in Cherai

After many travel plans and contemplating, planning and contemplating; I finally reached my gynaecologist’s clinic with the necessary scan reports. My heart was beating in the anticipation of my Kochi trip, which was at the mercy of my doctor’s approval. With nothing but utmost concern for my little one, I entered my doctor’s cabin and waited for her not to disrupt my husband’s weekend break.
“Low lying placenta,” she looked at me concerned. “Oooooooooooh,” went my heart. “In some women, we find this, but you can go ahead, just be very very careful”. Then a very concerned doctor added, “No relationship at all.” I smiled and nodded, thinking, “We’ll have to do with that.”
Reached home, half excited, half tired and logged in…. There our flight is booked, ooooooooooh just in time for the last lake facing villa on Cherai Beach Resort!!!
Started our day really early – 2.30am and I woke up before my alarm. Reached the new Bangalore International Airport and were greeted by the frenzy of fellow travellers. More than an hour later, we set our foot on the Kochi airport to be greeted by Ranjit our chauffer. After a drive of 25 minutes and crowded streets with school children dressed for 15th August, we reached our destination - Cherai. Once we entered Cherai, all we could see around us was the soothing stretch of the infinite backwaters with a sole fisherman trying a catch.
Siddhs checked in and as he followed the bell boy, I could see a smile spread on his lips slowly to give a wide grin. That was just the beginning of our memorable holiday.
Phew... satisfied as all the bookings were completely my call.
From a neat reception, we passed some heritage villas and straight into the backwaters and into our pretty villa. It was a feeling I always remember and a holiday I’ll always cherish. Our villa in the middle of the backwaters came with a nice sit-out. I was happy to see that the resort follows eco-friendly guidelines, as milk packets were replaced by a huge milk container; guests were urged to save water and energy (with sign boards); also you could request housekeeping not to change the bed lining in a bid to save water :).
Friendly staff greeted us as we went for a walk along the backwaters. We went looking for the beach and interestingly the heavy tides crashed on the rocky shore just a few steps outside the resort. The stormy sounds from the beach called us and the sight of roaring tides crashing into the rocks created quite a contrast from the soothing backwaters, we visited a few hours ago.
Afternoon was spent sight-seeing with us struggling to communicate to the only- Malyalee-sparingly- English speaking Ranjit. We saw quite a number of antique replicas, a Malyalee traditional masala box, caught my eye.
But we were more than happy to return to the resort via a ferry ride. The delicious spread of Indian food with a Kerala section, aroused my appetite before I slumped into a deep slumber after a long and joyous day.
The look of the resort was a treat in itself with heritage villas, each uniquely designed to represent Kerala’s beautiful architecture. The paths were dotted with small bridges, sit-outs, swings and a tree house to complete the ethnic look.
Next day was even exciting as I made my way to the Ayurmana Spa for Siddhs’ Ayurveda massage as Siddhs arrived in a boat – truly majestic. The masseur Lallu, a young but experienced man, worked wonders on Siddhs’ body as he greased and massaged it.
In the streamer and Siddhs was rejuvenated into a new being. The Uzhichil massage was a stress buster, no wonder, Siddhs now thinks of Lallu, after a hard day’s work. I couldn’t resist the boat on my return journey to the resort and Siddhs dragged me along. The boat gives a nice feeling of being transported through the water with a very cheerful boatman, posing beautifully for my camera.
In all our holiday was spent relaxing in the hammock under coconut trees, walking amidst beautiful waters and greens, sipping hot tea in our cottage sit-out, watching the fishermen artistically fish for their booty, casual fishing in the backwaters, watching the high tides crash on the rocky beach or simply taking in the view from your villa.

Being an underdog

Its difficult being an underdog, an underdog when you know you could shine. Shine like the rest of the world, in a world of fake laughs and air kisses; in days of false companionships and selfish affirmations. But all of us at some point want to belong to this world, belong and grow; believing somewhere we are different from the rest of the world frowning upon them for their hypocrisy and cowardly lives.

I therefore, proclaim I'm an underdog, shy - don't scream my achievements from the roof tops, naive - don't criticise other people's success, subservient - don't brag about my life.

My energies are rather saved for a non-publicized, effective work day with warm greetings and harmless jokes, a thought to the rising carbon and time for most cherished hobbies. I remember my college days; youth brimming with ambitions and 'change the world' plans. Carefree penniless days spent lazing around, messy bachelor's den; am I forgetting something – heated classroom debates, taking a stand, sole war against child labour in the neighbourhood tea stall, say no to plastic??? Where do all these idealisms go? Out into the harsh world? Harsh world that makes one compromise for a flat and a car? To fit in into another round hole? Prove it they said, prove yourself in the job before you look elsewhere, ok, done; don't feel anything. Is this why one has to brag as a reconfirmation of the success in one's own life?

Fulfillment. What is fulfillment? Sunday after days of productive office work? Expensive jewellery with a chauffeured car? Travel is a window to the world, it's said; does travelling leisurely make it worthwhile or would you rather stick to the economical bus? Is it a US citizenship and a loaded bank account?

Where do the simpler things of life fade away? "Your smile springs me to life", "I did it for you." Why can't it stay and fill you up so you look no further? Why does the burning desire of 'kuch karna hai' fade away to 'retirement ke liye bachchana hai.'

Somewhere between all this thought to life and its confusion, I think I found an answer. To each his own. We may meet in various social set ups but each has a life of his own and battles to fight. If life is a puzzle, it expects you to solve it in your own unique way for only there lies the key and not by copying another's code. I started out wanting a career and live by my feministic views... Career and feminism literally shadowed my future dreams. Dreams, which are much more important than the ever-sought after money and fame. A supporting and caring life partner, who gives me the space to grow. Puts up with my home composting and anti-plastic war. Cares enough to cook rice and tolerant enough to take my punches and oft-repeated jokes.

I was so engrossed in comparing my life that I failed to see that this is the very life I was aspiring to live. Time away from work, interacting with artisans and ngos, my bit to the environment and a boyfriend in my husband. I think I have reached maturity.