Compilation of suggestions received to reduce the use of plastic bags + next steps

Dear karmayog members and co-ordinators,
 
 
Dear all,
 
I thank all of you for your suggestions as well your support. Let me admit that when I didn’t receive any reply initially for around 3 days I was a bit surprised. But come Tuesday and the replies started pouring in, renewing my faith in what I had decided upon.
 
It’s been more than a week that I sent a mail requesting for suggestions and have started receiving responses for the same. I have already started working on some suggestions and soon plan to hold a meeting where we could chalk out a plan of action. This meeting would be scheduled most probably on a Sunday, the details of which would be posted soon. The purpose of this mail however is to keep the group members informed of the progress so far, lest they feel that the matter has cooled off.  
 
I have tried to reply every individual mail that I received and again I ask for forgiveness if I have missed out anyone. These mails included words of appreciation and encouragement which I am sure will go a long way in providing me with the much needed inspiration and motivation. Some mentioned the ‘simple actions’ that they had already taken. Not surprisingly, these replies had already started motivating other group members which is an extremely good sign.
 
Hence, along with sharing what ideas others have come up with, I would first like to mention the steps I have been taking in this matter, their simultaneous limitations and hence the need to do something at a larger scale. They are not much different, neither as great from what others might be practicing;
 

I always carry my own bag, so that I am prepared for some last minute marketing that my wife or mother remembers and tells me to buy, on the way back from my clinic.
I refuse to buy anything if I have forgotten to carry a bag. I would prefer to go back home, get a bag and then do the buying.
Whenever possible I use alternatives – my pockets, wrapping it in a paper and holding it in my hands and at times even my helmet
I reprimand hawkers for ‘helping’ by offering a plastic bag.
 
It was encouraging to see that many are already putting their efforts. Mr. Ali a senior citizen from Chennai carries his own cloth bag to the market. He shouts at a shopkeeper who offers him a plastic bag, so that even others get aware about the need to avoid plastic. Mrs. Anuradha went ahead with actually picking up plastic bags from the seashore at Ratnagiri during Ganapati immersion. She cautions us to be perseverant and patient with our efforts.
 
Umamaheshwar voiced a concern about the problem of spitting which needs to be handled. Tressie declared her intention to initiate a similar project in her area of residence i.e. Andheri – Marol. Mr. Sheshadri shared a beautiful poem as also a ppt on the menace of plastic and other non bio-degradable objects. Many others voiced their support as also gave valuable suggestions in this direction. Lili Rout from Dubai shared her conversion from a frequent user of plastic to one now who always carries her own bags while shopping. Corinne Rodrigues shared her experience about a similar project that they carried out through YWCA at Secunderabad.
 
The question is that if there are so many individuals that we know to be already on our side, how many more could be there that we are unaware about? Still further, how many could be sitting on the fringe, only waiting for someone to give directions? More than that, how many of us are still waiting for someone to take a lead and create the ‘critical mass’?
 
The positive side that I see from this is that, if a single simple mail of intention from an ordinary individual like me could bring to surface a similar intention/ voice from so many people, then what could be outcome if we join hands? It is not only about you or me at an individual level, but the society at large who has to participate in this initiative. The replies that I received strengthened my faith that I am not alone but a lot many who share the same objective.
 
Progress so far:

Vakola Welfare League, a local organisation has agreed to take up the initiative to provide infrastructure and support that could be needed in garnering other requisites.
I have spoken to a few shop owners who were quite enthusiastic in joining this initiative.
Met Mr. Dalvi, an extraordinary individual who has already been successful in carrying out this campaign in Vile Parle East. He has made it appear so simple that I really urge everyone to just come forward and take the initiative in your own area. I am sure that the greater our momentum, greater and easier would be our achievement. Coincidentally he works for the BMC (though he works on this campaign at an individual level) and he has assured (I got the experience) of getting full support from the local police as well as BMC.
Karmayog.org a resource group has come forward to support in the process of garnering various resources as well as volunteers for the campaign.
 
 
I would certainly post the details of the meeting as soon as it is finalised. In the meanwhile, I request all to ponder on certain questions that seem to apply for most of us;
 

Why is it that we always have to depend on the government for telling us what and how things need to be done?
Why do we have to depend on the government to make laws about simple things and use it as a crutch to make people do the ‘right’ thing?
Why do we always feel it to be the responsibility of the government to get these ‘right’ things get done from citizens, including us?
Rather, why are we happy/ satisfied in blaming the government for all the irregularities and shortcomings?
 
The reason, I feel (and I am sure that most of us are already aware about it) is the lack of responsibility that we have regarding our own lives, our surroundings and the future that we want for ourselves. As I have experienced, I am sure to get support from government officials. But I want to make this a citizen’s initiative, not wishing for the officials to step in and waiting for them to do their job.
 
This is a request for all likeminded individuals to not wait till the meeting but begin to interact with people around them, so that we can really accelerate the success of this campaign. Also, let me assure that I am not limiting myself to Santacruz East as mentioned in my earlier mail. Hence anyone who wishes to take up the initiative in their own areas is most welcome.
Please interact personally at my given contact no.
 
TOGETHER WE WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE
 
Please;
o        Carry your own bag to the market,
o        Always carry a folded bag in your pocket/ purse, (charity begins at home)
o        Compliment people who you see carrying their own bags while marketing, (believe me, I got to learn a lot from this simple interaction plus it is a great exercise to shed out your inhibitions)
o        Try to motivate people to convert to eco- friendly habits (you may begin with known people but do take a jump to interact with unknown people. It is a great way to increase your self confidence)
o        Let me know your intention to attend the meeting to discuss means to reduce the use of plastics
o        If you feel there are some more viable suggestions, then please add them and forward it to your friends (me included)
 
Dr. Atul Pednekar
9820869464