Goonjified

Vids got us to meet Anshu, Founder of Goonj, a NGO which works towards the collection and distribution of clothes....primarily in remote n rural India....


A 1 hour session was organized in office...n Im still thanking my stars that I made it a point to attend the session...


Anshu started Goonj in Delhi nearly 10 years ago. He was working as a journalist and once when he was in search of a story...he came across a cycle rickshaw...which had the words"Delhi Police ke liye laash utane wallah" printed behind....


After a chat with the rickshaw-driver..he gotto know that he worked for the Delhi Police...to dispose the many dead homeless and famililess destitutes who died on the streets uncared for...


Anshu was told that business was excellent during winter simply coz the number of people dying from the cold... due to lack of warm clothing was extremely high!!


The laash utane walla's job involved picking up the dead from places identified for him by the police....dressing up the dead and waiting for the crematoriums to open...


His 5 year old daughter told Anshu that whenever she feels cold at night...she hugs the dead bodies tight and sleeps ...as they keep her warm...n wudnt turn or complain or hurt her...


Anshu took the example of the earthquakes in Kashmir and reminded us that yes...ppal do require warm clothing in times of disaster....and also during winters before n after the disasters...just to prevent any further deaths!!


He tells us that we wait for disasters to happen..to donate clothes...


He asked us if you cud believe that ppal actually turn bonded labourers to buy clothes. My immediate response was a NO.


But then he told us another story to prove his point....


Picture this...a remote village in MP...where ppal get employed for 10 days a month...getting paid Rs.6 per day...their monthly income being Rs.60/- which will have to cover food, shelter and clothing requirements for families with a minimum of 6-7 people. The only time they ever invest in clothes...is when it is festival time....n the local merchants there...have an offer where in for Rs.250/-...they get clothes for all the family members ...n everytime they went in for this luxury called "clothes" ..it meant that they had to work as bonded labourers for a minimum period of 3 years till they repaid...


The next incident almost got me to faint....this was regarding the cloth requirements that women in rural India have during their periods...We were told that having no other choice...the women often reused ...shared ...or sometimes...during the monsoons...used wet ones....simply coz they cudnt afford anything better....leading to several infections....


How does Goonj make the difference...

Goonj believes in the 3 D's in life: Dignity, Discard and Disaster..
Goonj has made its presence felt in most parts of the country...but they dont just distribute clothes freely...they ensure that people getting them earn them...


Goonj gets the local villagers dig a well or build bamboo bridges or build schools or get the villagers to do works for the common good of the villages. The wells help them sort their water problems....the bridges reduced the number of accidents small school going children faced...n the schools ....well...v r told were the only buildings that survived even the earthquakes....


He told us that when their team visited the flooded Bihar areas...or the Sunderbans after Aiyla....the situation is the same....ppal in need of food, clothing n shelter.....food and shelter is somehow accounted for ..but the clothing part gets missed out!!


He told us that very often the clothes we donate are the ones that we have had enough of....but when we give them away...do we take care...of small little things....like the absence of buttons....or imagine a person sitting in a remote village...who gets to wear a chudidhar set for the very 1st time in her life...getting the pyjamas without nadas....n wondering what to do with them....Goonj is filling the gaps at present by having their volunteers do the required tailoring...n the sorting of clothes as per gender...n region...

To know more about Goonj: http://www.goonj.info/collection.php
http://www.moneycontrol.com/news/video/newsvideo.php?autono=413112&part=1&con=prev

http://www.moneycontrol.com/news/video/newsvideo.php?autono=413112&part=2&con=next
http://business.outlookindia.com/newolb/article.aspx?261417

Or you can read an interesting posting at http://alternativeperspective.blogspot.com/2008/01/making-difference-not-just-piece-of.html

Parked!!!!!

Atlast....it happened....n m glad it did...

Thanks to Moses....we got to accompany the inmates of Missionaries Of Charity from Yelahanka n MS Palya....for a visit to Cubbon Park...

It was simply soooper.....we had loadsa fun...we danced .....I ran:)....we sang....we served food..n were served....we got to see so many happy faces of the inmates....who were having a break from their daily routines....amazed to see open mouthed fishes....in the aquarium...n were having a lovely time....telling us...meenuuu...meeenuuu...looking at all the bright colored fish...small fish...big fish...

After ensuring that we keep our "Green" senses alive....v did feel like responsible citizens:)

Cubbon Park is actually a beautiful place...I remember how much we used to hate it as kids....coz it offered us no chance to visit any other place whenever relatives came visting...that is...no matter who came...or from where...d moment they land in B'lore...they had to see 2 places...Cubbon Park..Lalbagh .....n v had to revisit these places soo often..that we were quite fed up of the mere mention of their names....

But after visiting this place yesterday....I did feel great....it was the 1st time v took the train ride....something that the inmates enjoyed... just standing n watching them have a day out...playing jarabandi or at the swings...fills u with so much joy....

The sisters who came...were very sweet...n I remember one of them telling us....that just leave them free...I want to know what each one of them will do....how much they mingle with the others...how they have fun...what they like doing the best....

I didnt know that they had a chotta birds zoo there.....but the inmate I was with...was soo happy seeing the ducks....there....that she kept smiling at them all throughout....

All the inmates were dressed in their best suits....some in saris...some in chudidhars....n when we were perched atop a small rock....a sister who joined us a lil later...told us...that I cant really believe they are my patients from a home for the destitutes....they look like a bunch of happy ppal....

The volunteers were all in full josh....doing everything they could to ensure everybody had a good time...n kept the energy levels high ...

Some of the inmates....taught us a traditional Odissi folk dance form....which Pravs...says she will copy in anything that she choreographs next....now u know where she gets her steps from!!!

Wayanadeesss)

I've been to Wayanad before...with my colleagues in office...n I remember it being a place which had lots to offer....the place is extremely beautiful....n a lot of tribals r still supposed to inhabit the place....

Our trip preparations were as usual in full swing.....but a lot of our close pals..could not join us this time around....

We were to visit the Coffee Research Centre in Wayanad, a place known to Prav's mother. Now this place is located in Kalpetta...which is a small town in Wayanad....

V started our journey from B'lore at around 11pm and after stopping mid-way in Coffee Day...at midnight.....where the hungry souls were fed n Aztec(A new hot Coffee Drink) relished n cherished.....v made our way to Wayanad...singing....

I did manage to catch some sleep...I must admit...something which I usually dont while travelling....despite the fact that Shila who was beside me....was talking non-stop...but I did retaliate by talking in my sleep:)

After reaching the guest house at the Coffee Research Centre n after hearing a lot of Coonie...Poonie...being blurted about.....am sure the others know what I mean....v ventured out on our tour of the Centre...which had us all posy ...with the exception of Pravs n me....she was interested in the nature...n I in spoiling the others potas:)....Different matter that the others actually gave wonderful poses...n have ended up with awesome pics....hmmm..Im actually feeling a lil left out here:)

Right outside the Centre, we were surrounded by hills and tea estates. After a lovely walk through them, we made our way to Pookutu lake....

After lunch, we headed to Bana Sagara Dam, and all throughout...we were wondering as to where the actual dam was....Ok...there was this lovely road which leads u to a point...where u take a speedboat....but otherwise....we scared our fellow Wayanadees...by our dance poses, Pravs' Kal Ho Na Ho..poses n loads more....

After returning to the Centre, we ventured out to explore the place better....the place was a great break ....the perfect getaway...where u get to breathe fresh air...there is no pollution....makes u feel very close to nature....n u begin to appreciate the beauty...the tranquility....n the serenity of the place...n ur mind is at ease almost easily......as everything seems pure...n untouched.....even the cold water there:)...hehehe...

Now my mother had only 1 wishlist for me....she wanted me to get her an entire kola of nendhrepazham(An entire branch of Kerala bananas) simply coz Wayanad was famous for them...

So, we spent a major part of the next day morning...shopping for stuff...including the infamous Kattar Vazha soap...Aloe Vera soap ...that is...

The journey back...was huge fun....where v played 20 ?....n s....after stopping at Marigold n Sunflower fields....we walked into Jai Mata Ji restaurant in Mysore.....

We were told that the food there was awesome...d lassi...greatest....but only after going there ...did we realize that wat we were going to experience....we had never experienced before...

All of us were hungry...is an understatement....especially when u r sitting after ordering aloo...gobi....parathas....malai koftha..lassi...etc..etc....

The waiters there...cared nothing for our hunger....or for the fact that even after waiting there...hoping that food will come now..will come soon....nothing came....

This despite the fact that each of us even took turns asking them y it was taking this long...finally v did the right thing...

Shw....went to the place...where the Chef was working...n actually asked him to show us the stuff v had ordered....after he went around lying that he has prepared half the stuff...n will get us the remaining...v finally discovered that the Chef had done nothing....n left the place after having lassis....

I mean ....there were times when I thought...instead of sitting there n waiting for the food...all of us could atleast do the vegetable chopping to help the Chef prepare our order:)

The greatest part of d trip...I wanted to save it to the end....

Being with the gang of pppal....v went with...

V missed CJ...no doubt abt it....

But Shw...n Sharanya....were so full of life.....n wait till u hear them talk abt their favourite person...n it will have u having a sooooper doooper time:)

Harshitha....is a very bubbly gal....she called me her sis...n I was melting away to glory....a very sweet thing she is....lots of enthu....n cheer....she adds to life...

Pravs mother.....Im sorry u had to tolerate my Ale...ale..ale....aleyo:)...but Aunty took extremely good care of us...I wonder what was running in her mind...everytime v gave insane poses...or did crazy stuff....:)

Shila.....was our bank....our trip co-ordinator...n some1 who wanted the rest of us to keep her entertained all through the trip...High Hopes..Shila:)

Pravs...Loved the part where u taught us Salsa....me will seriously consider taking it up sometime atleast in life....sooooper dance form it is:)

Though we didnt actually cover a whole lot of places.....just being with the gang....made it a memorable tripppu:)

PS:

My mother claims that we left Wayanad after sprinkling some potion for rain....coz while the weather was pleasant when we were there...

Right after we left....it has been raining like crazy...n ppal travelling there...have been stranded there...due to landslides...n several other roadblocks:(

Paaassshttt!!!

Its been a really long time since I wrote anything on my blog....but the idea for this posting has been in my mind for a very long time now....

Happened to catch up with a few relatives of mine today...n I was amazed at how ignorant I was of stuff happening in and around me for the past coupla months....

Blame it on sheer laziness or an overdose of assessments or the longing to do a whole lotta other stuff(hehehe...I can almost smell the fumes out of Shila n Pravs:))....

These relatives comprise of an old couple....n a not so old couple....our topics of conversations ranged from adulteration in food..to how the times have changed from what they used to be in the past....to how expensive things r these days.....did u know that 1 kg of sona masooori rice costs close to 40 bucks or about how our children actually grow up exposed to sooo much of pollution....adulteration.....work related ailments......

I was updated on how apples were waxed or as to how the dhania powder u use to cook...could actually have crushed wood...not to forget the grapes or the other vegetables....that are loaded with pesticides...n about the amount of lead and chromium ...in the food that we eat these days...or about the use of chemicals to give the vegetables...a farm fresh look n feel.......n I was wondering....How come I was sooo ignorant of all this or was it just that I accept these things as a part of the FAST life these days...n dont really care anymore!!

Thats when my relatives told me that way back in the 60s and the 70s....things were so much better..they were always used to eating stuff...that was fresh...healthy....n naturally pure....with hardly any traces of adulteration....

When I listen to them speak....I must confess that my mind always starts off with a Black n White Movie scene....where in I am imagining them young..I must admit...I always imagine the ladies to be these beautiful elegant ppal.... do all the things that they would start talking about:)

N somehow all my scenes have cycles in the background... n all the ladies wearing kajal with those pointed leads:).... n ofcourse all of them in sarees.... n the roads deserted...rivers everywhere....very few human beings around...at any given point of time:)

They spoke about the times when a decent house in B'lore used to cost 30 bucks a month....tomato ..10paise per kg .... rice ..90 paise per kg....

They spoke of times when they used to travel long distances....as cars were a luxury ...buses rare....ferries...common....ya..ya...this story has its background in Kerala atleast for now.....

I love listening to stories that my parents narrate from their childhood.....stories of how they used to live together with all their cousins n aunts n uncles together in one single house ...truly living up to the joint family system....the wonderful times spent ....playing with cousins....the kind of bonding that they shared ......or the kind of upbringing that they had...d funtimes spent in scaling mango trees or jackfruit trees...till date....my sis n me...chide my mother to her everlasting love for these fruits...or about the amount of joy ...she takes in ripping a jackfruit apart...n making wonderful "ada"...which is a jackfruit+jaggery+rice powder n ofcourse COCONUT dish....or jackfruit jam...or jackfruit chips......

I am told when my mother was 18 months old.....being an adventurous kid that she was...had ventured into the kitchen all by herself...n had gulped the hot n spicy fish curry kept in the kitchen...n when the elders went looking for her...found her ..teary eyed...n still licking the dish:)...n till date...they tease my mother about this incident......n r shell-shocked to hear that my mother gave up on fish....nearly 15 years ago!!

Or about the times...my mother ...in yet another adventure....once went venturing onto the terrace all by herself ...when she was hardly one...n had to be rushed down....by watchful neighbours.....I was wondering.....when I was asked ..the name of my tenants by a relative....all I mouthed back was that ....I dont know!!....All this after they have been staying @ my place for over a year now....

My mother narrates stories of how they used to always bathe in the rivers...or how learning to swim....was a matter of survival.....Today that river is sooo polluted that no1 dares go anywhere close to it!!

She tells us that they used to walk close to around 25-30 kms in a day to reach the closest school...or about how they had to manage errands at home....n schoolwork ....all through their teenage years.....

To think that...in those days...there was no TV...no mobile....no mixie...no grinder...I can go on...n on...But life was simple.....Time was aplenty.....n relationships....strong.....

I am told...u just walk into anybody's kitchen...n grab what you want to eat....n for that matter...everybody in the village knew the other way too well!!

When I walk with my grandmother down the streets of Kerala..a ten minutes walk to the temple ...actually takes about half an hour....coz by the time...my grandmother is done enquiring about the welfare of everybody who crosses our path or after they are done quizzing my grandmother..if I was Vijaya's(my mother's name) daughter..n about the striking resemblance v shared....n about what I was doing...n about how my sister was finding Mumbai...there are times when I have wondered that helllloo....they know sooo much about me....n ...I fail to even recognize them.....Imagine doing this...when many a times...their very first question is.."Ariyo"...meaning"Do you know me?"!!!

After my parents moved to B'lore...as my father was offered a transfer from Allahabad to B'lore....n they were delighted ...coz it was closer home(Kerala) than Allahabad was!!

U should hear the way my Amma sums up the expenses they had to bear on a monthly basis....or about the outings they used to take....or about the times she used to spend understanding the language here...n d ways n manners of the ppal here....

Imagine an eighteen year old....who has never stepped out of Kerala.......n finds herself in namma Bengalooru.....taken to watch a Kannada movie.....n still manages to get a foothold of whats happening in the story...ya..ya..the movie was "Ondhu Kanasu"....thanks to the acting calibre n prowess of the leading pair....

She claims to have walked over fields.....which BTW is ur Mathikere area now.....to get my sister to school....n back....

Thats when she bonded with the other kid's mothers.....who used to take care of my sister....when I was born...n when my mother used to be in the hospital....

Y did I write sooo much....about the past....simply coz I made the mistake of comparing it with mine till date:)