IE : Don’t just throw it away, hand it over : Oct 1, 2007
Don’t just throw it away, hand it over
Aiswarya Ananthapadmanabhan
Posted online: Sunday , September 30, 2007 at 12:00:00
Updated: Saturday , September 29, 2007 at 11:45:12
Pune, September 29 The house resembles a garage sale with piles of clothes,
old tape-recorders, playthings among numerous items taking up every empty
space possible. Surrounded by her ‘treasures,’ 56-year-old Jyoti Sachde tai
sits meticulously sifting through the stuff, sorting the usable from the
junk. Sachde, a part of the Bhusari Colony’s Savangadi Jyeshta Nagarik
Sangh – a senior citizen’s group – has embarked on a unique way of letting
waste not go waste, through her ‘Mamta Group.’ She collects items thrown
away despite having just minor defects and gives them to voluntary
organisations working with the underprivileged.
“Anything under the sun is accepted,” Sachde says. “When people clean their
homes ahead of a festival or occasion, they come across things they have
hoarded up promising themselves to get back to them when they have time.
They never do and these things are thrown away,” she says.
Old books, pen without refills, old kitchen appliances with broken handles,
imitation jewellery with minor defects, bags, curtains, pillows – her list
is inexhaustible. “It takes me two full cans of insect repellent to keep the
cockroaches away,” says Sachde holding up a can of HIT. “Some of the items
are old and gather dust and hence the piles of stuff need to be constantly
disinfected.”
This brainwave came naturally to Sachde, who has been instrumental in a
support group collecting and distributing free medicines and free weekend
tuitions for 35 children studying in corporation schools. “The idea struck
seven to eight months ago and I started asking people in the colony to hand
over old things to me. The word spread,” she says.
Sachde then sorts and gives these items to organisations like Janseva
Foundation and Aaple Ghar that runs orphanages and old age homes.
Sachde, who holds a B Sc in zoology, a B Ed and government diploma in
stitching among others, also mends torn clothes, makes quilts out of old
curtains, stuffs pillows with rags as well as washes the clothes, repairs
the slight glitches in the electronic appliances, before giving them away.
While about a dozen people assist her, she almost single-handedly does it
all, says member Vasudha Mule. Sanghatana secretary Madhukar Pawar says
while it would be impossible for them to dabble in everything, small groups
like these help to diversify their activities. “Though we are retired, the
zeal to work towards a good cause still burns within us. We are financially
sound, but making a difference to the lives of underprivileged sections
makes our lives seem worthwhile,” he said.
The motive is purely altruistic, says Sachde. “If things no longer of use to
one can bring a smile on the face of another, with a little bit of hard work
thrown in, what is the harm in it?” she says. “Most of these welfare homes
do not provide anything beyond food and shelter. These things will add some
cheer to their lives.”
To hand over waste items, contact Sachde on 9822542419 or 25282748.