My friends, those in Kolkata/Bombay/Delhi, used to envy me the proverbial "amazing" Bangalore weather. One of them remarked just the other day, how lucky I am to be able to run away from the sweltering Kolkata heat to the cooler climes of Bangalore at the very beginning of summer.
But, unfortunately, they don't need to be envious anymore. *sigh*
All that 'buri nazar' worked....Bangalore is not only hot right now, it's getting humid too! And to think, that when we first moved here one & a half years back, we were ecstatic to realise we don't sweat in Bangalore!
The way days are getting hotter and hotter (and only March just got over), and the sun is getting stronger, God only knows how & why people are still "debating" about global warming. Haven't we got enough proof already???
And global warming is just one of the many plagues that are gnawing at the roots of this planet's well-being. Naturally & physically, there's water crises, coral reef erosion, frequent earthquakes among other environmental issues' while psychologically, there's rape, hate killings, dowry, illiteracy, gender bias, inequality, trans-phobia, homo-phobia and many more mental blocks affecting the human society.
What are we really doing about these issues? We are talking about them, fighting about them, raising awareness about them, screaming ourselves hoarse about them and debating about them. But are we really working towards a better world? Are we putting solutions in place? Are we actively participating in the cause? Or are we mere spectators, cheering the cause we support from the comfy confines of our home, leaving the action to others out there?
I agree, even if we want to, all of us may not be able to actively participate in fighting for what we think is right. But are we doing whatever little bit we can? Or are we OK with sitting at home, watching news after disturbing news on the TV or reading about feminism on the internet, and voicing our opinion to all those who care to listen?
OK, but I am not OK with that.
I am not OK with new rape incidences turning even the safest of Indian cities into possible danger zones.
I am not OK with American fundamentalists killing random Indians just because they resemble the terrorists who crashed planes into the WTC towers.
I am not OK with people cutting down hundreds of trees in the 'Garden City' in order to build more flyovers.
I am not OK with dowry killings & child marriages still happening in large, rampant numbers in some of the remote areas of the country.
I am not OK with refugees having to flee from country to country, while the Govt of said countries debate over whether to give them shelter or not.
I am not OK with all the hatred, confusion, anger and disgust aimed towards the transgenders, gays & lesbians.
OK, but I am NOT OK.
My work schedule and domestic responsibilities might restrict me from going on pride walks or joining NGOs to teach underprivileged kids. But, I can donate a little something towards earthquake relief funds, refugee support programs or child-care NGOs. I can take 2 minutes out of my busy schedule to sign online petitions for causes I support. I can applaud sensitive & touching ads/films highlighting social issues and share them with the rest of the world. I can make sure I don't waste water or electricity or food. I can re-use old paper printouts for all kinds of everyday work. I can talk about feminism through fashion. And, of course, I can blog about it, so that all of you out there start doing these little somethings, which might, together, culminate into a positive effort.
After all, it's small little drops of water that make up the ocean, isn't it?
*****
You may think, why the sudden rant? Why the sudden humanitarian wave of compassion & concern?
Well, this outfit and the O.K. pin I wore at the neck sparked these thoughts in my mind. I knew I was giving off vibes that everything is O.K., but is it really?
What do you think?
[Tie-dye maxi dress: Amalraj Sengupta | Batik silk scarf: Soumitra Mondal | Belt: Westside | O.K. pin: Lifestyle | Cat-eye sunglasses: Aldo, c/o Wooplr | Houndsooth check sling bag: Lifestyle | Patent brogues: Westside]
Photography by: Akhil Bhima/Nitin Sharma
You can take your pick from chic & stylish dresses for women to upgrade your wardrobe this season & have a fashionable summer ahead!
*****
So, are you going to stop talking and start doing, albeit whatever little you can?
Otherwise, there might come a day very soon when I won't be able to have those pretty pink bougainvilleas and fresh green foliage as my picture backdrops anymore...
Let's stop being OK with things...and start making sure things really get OK around us...
Here's to a better society and a better environment! Cheers!!!
Love,
Anupriya DG