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February 01, 2006

Goans against plastic bags and litter

Goa is a wonderful place. Apart from the fantastic ambience and all the wonderful beaches and the delectable food you get there, Goa leads the way in community activism.

I was there last month enjoying a holiday with my family and one day as we drove along one of the smaller back roads we saw this long procession of kids yelling their heads off as with the kind of enthusiasm only kids can muster up. Couldn’t understand a word of what they said, but when I saw the placard they were carrying I was thrilled. It said Anti Plastic Campaign!

We all got off, applauded them and congratulated their teachers for helping organize this. My daughter Kaajal whipped out her camera and started shooting. The kids were thrilled to be noticed and photographed and I was so happy we took that route on that day.

I went (the fat guy on the left is me) and made them hold the placard up straight so we could get the name of their school right. Its called the Shri Dayanand Arya High School and its in a village called Neura. I’d never heard of this village but I’m immensely impressed by what they’re doing there.

Look at the enthusiasm on their faces and look at their perspective. So many supposedly educated and aware people don’t realize what harm burning plastics does, but the kids and teachers in this little village do!
What made it even more wonderful was the immediacy of their appeal. They weren’t campaigning against a general cause. No. They were talking about saving their Motherland. They didn’t treat this as some far-off problem to be discussed in a dilettante manner. They saw plastic bags for what they are. A clear and present danger that affects us all and affects us today!
These kids were marching to the seat of the government, many miles away, to make our politicians aware that the issue was real to them.

Our politicians and governments by and large take no notice of people’s problems but Goan governments (whatever party is in power) appear to be a little better than the rest.

Goa is doing what it can. People who go there and wonder how the beaches are so clean often neglect to notice and thank the people who do it. Goan beaches are being kept clean by this wonderful team of ladies who police the beaches and pick up all the litter there.
I saw how people behaved. The Westerners were by and large respectful of the need to keep the place clean. East Europeans were a little less so. Sadly, the Indian tourists were the least concerned. Tragic.

Reusable bags are attractive and affordable ( see http://www.badlani.com/bags ) and I’m sure Goa and its aware citizens will welcome the concept. Out of respect for what the locals are already doing, one day soon I’m going to go to Goa and push the concept of reusable bags there. Of course, most people in my office suspect I’m actually planning to goof off and go holiday there.

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