1. Towards a Just World

NB 1: I frequently update this page, so please keep visiting.

NB 2: This writing is not a disguised attempt at preaching or self-praising. The sole aim is to evoke a couple of thoughts around helping the hapless.

How do I contribute towards a just & sustainable world?

Rotation of money - Don’t make the rich richer:

• Buy from poor/local vendors (including footpath-bound sellers), NOT corporate giants (including super markets). This encompasses the full gamut - from vegetables/groceries to cloths/furniture.
  • Shopping cloths from a modest place may not always satisfy you in terms of quality/durability, but the compromise is well worth the cause - supporting someone’s means of survival. Moreover, you pay no brand-name charge!
  • This recommendation excludes appliances wherein the locally available technology ain’t adequately energy-efficient.

No wastage of resources such as food, water and power:

• Switch off the (office) computer at the end of the day [and whenever not in use for the next two hours].

• Consume minimum water in your daily activities:
  • Use the tap with minimal water force [e.g., while brushing].
  • Choose a bucket bath instead of a shower bath.
  • Don’t store water unnecessarily [The person going to bathe next may throw it away for (more) heated water].

• Fix leaking taps right away.

• Refrain from birthday celebrations involving cakes/food being pasted on human faces.

• Treat electricity as a need, not luxury [Shouldn't decorative lighting, done as a show of prosperity or excitement, be done away with?].

• Be sure to pass on leftover food, old cloths/furniture to the needy.

Be environment-friendly:

• Plant and preserve trees. Do not print unless it’s absolutely necessary.
  • No paper tissues [Use handkerchiefs] & paper glasses.
  • Replace paper (greeting) cards by their electronic counterparts.
  • Use your notebooks (even the company-gifted free ones) super thriftily, utilizing all the space on offer, including margins.

• Use petrol sparingly and pollute less.
  • Prefer buses over autos. If available, employ cycle rickshaws which also create livelihoods.
  • Prefer long walks over long drives.
  • Choose vehicles based on mileage rather than style [The coolest idea is biking (cycling), esp. to office].
  • Fly light since planes consume more fuel, produce more emissions when heavily loaded.

• Do away with fire crackers altogether.

• Go for energy (power, fuel) efficient, low-pollution appliances, even by paying a bit higher.
  • Replace all your yellow bulbs and even some tubes by the immensely power-saving CFLs.
  • Pick your fridge/washing machine based on its power consumption, and cell phone looking at the battery life/quality.

• Gardening is a lovely hobby! Help plant trees around your place.

Curb corruption:

• No bribes taken or given (for passport, pension, police and all other walks of life).

  • Pay 200 Rs more to the traffic policeman, but take the receipt.

• Make sure you take receipts for all govt services [for instance, bus tickets], even it costs you a little extra. Let the money go to the govt (for the country’s development), NOT to corrupt individuals.

• Pay your taxes honestly.

Take a stand - Fight wrongs around you:

• Suppress any child/woman abuse around you (by reporting to the police or an NGO).

• Don’t tolerate inhumane treatment of maids, watchmans and tea vendors by the so-called white collar chaps.

Celebrations Redefined:

• A special occasion (like marriage, anniversary, house-inauguration) calls for a special contribution (time/money) towards a social cause.
  • If you host functions, utilize these gatherings by keeping a donation box/counter (and urging the invitees to contribute). You could also put NGO/community-made products on sale there.

• Multiply your joy by distributing utilities [blankets, umbrellas, notebooks, fruits] in huts, hospitals or orphanages.

  • Don’t indulge them in nutrition-less things they can rarely avail thereafter - cakes and cold drinks.

Support NGOs, with your time and money:

• Maintain a virtual charity account wherein you add a fixed amount monthly. Every year, make it a point to donate the entire accumulated amount. You could spend a part of this on the education or medication of nearby slum dwellers or your maid.

• Spare seven hours a week for (say) teaching kids, running health camps, spreading awareness and similar NGO activities.

• Note: Some of the genuine groups I know are AID, AshaKiran, SUYAM, iVolunteer, Asha, BHUMI and CRY [Have been working with the first two; interacted with all the others]. Most of them accept donations online.

Misc:

• Donate your organs after death [how-to and more].
• Be a blood donor, regularly [Conditions apply].
• Save your maid/cook from the huge interest rate charged by the private money lenders by offering a zero-percent loan i.e. some advance.

Spread the word:

• Get your family/friends/acquaintances to do these with you.

The best way:

• Serve as a politician or an IAS/IPS officer, with integrity and efficiency.

PS: Here are a few personal updates, some of which could give practical insights into (many of) the aforesaid points.