Social and Environmental Awareness/Responsibilities
By Pratibha Kumaran

     Kerala is one of the most highly educated states in India. But are we really educated enough? We set very high standards of living for ourselves, but are we really aware of our social and environmental responsibilities? And final question to ask ourselves would be do we really need the government to tell us about our social responsibilities? To tell us about not using plastic/polythene covers, to not smoke in public, to undertake the activity called load-shedding when we are mature and capable of taking care of these things ourselves.
            For a society that prides itself on being educated and cultured, we often react very poorly to damages done to public property whenever there is a bandh and strike in the state. Buses and other vehicles are burnt or damaged -- do we really care? No, we do not -- not unless it is our vehicle that is damaged. We forget that after all the buses belong to us -- it is paid for with our money -- infrastructure comes from our money -- the money we pay as taxes. And first and foremost, do we say no to bandhs/strikes. No, we do not. A bandh would mean time at home with family, but are we being responsible citizens? No, we are not.  Kerala apart, India doesn’t need bandhs and strikes. We need to progress as a country as these bandhs and strikes DO NOT help our cause. And today, we are not setting an example for our future generation or are not leading by example in this world.  And believe me there are far peaceful ways to protest.  Strikes and bandhs are good as far as they are productive. As responsible citizens, we surely have the right to protest and we should protest against anything that is WRONG.  Make your voice heard, but do it in such a way that you leave an example worth noting. One such example was told by the Principal of my school. The workers of a shoe manufacturing company in Japan were not paid properly. They protested, went on strike. The difference was in the way they protested. They didn’t stop production. They continued to make shoes -- ONLY the left shoe in the pair. Eventually, the owner had to give in to their demand. Are we mature enough to something similar?
           Keralites put a premium on keeping houses clean. It is simply a way of life here. But what about all that innumerable poly bags that we have asked for with the goods we buy. Is it too difficult too carry a cloth bag, which is washable, reusable and above all -- environment friendly when going out shopping for groceries? Is it too difficult to say NO when the shopkeeper hands over goods in a poly bag? Even if you keep all these issues aside, do we really need our government to come up with the idea of degradable plastic bags? For a society that is highly educated, do we really need the government to tell us what to do to keep ourselves environment friendly? We can always use the excuse that we are used to poly bags by now.  When we say that we can’t do without poly bags we are pushing ourselves and our future generations into high environmental risk. We are helping deplete our stock of underground water (that too for a state that relies heavily on underground/rainwater). Yes, that is what these poly/plastic bags are doing to us -- stopping infiltration of rainwater into the soil (and it is not for a year or two, but around a million years for a single poly bag -- that is the time it takes to degrade). Plastics form an important part of life -- we do need them, but it would make sense to use it wisely. If we can’t banish these poly bags from our life entirely at one go -- do it slowly -- lessen their use. I make sure to use ONLY 1 poly bag a day -- that too only when absolutely necessary. I carry a cloth bag in my purse, the trip to the market is very convenient for me -- and eco friendly as well. Yes, I do feel guilty about that single poly bag I need to use, but I also feel glad that I am making an effort towards making the earth a better place to live in. That matters.
          Even if you are unsuccessful at first, it is good if you can make an effort. Save energy, be eco friendly, understand your civic and social responsibilities -- make Kerala the God’s own country, and NOT God’s own country ruled by Devil’s own people. Take small steps, for instance, switch off lights when not in use, switch of your computer monitor when you are not using it (switch off the PC, but if you can’t do it, switch off the monitor), make a conscious effort of plant trees whenever possible and not just uproot them to get to soil mining from different parts of the state).  Don’t smoke, don’t let the government tell you not to smoke in public -- take that step yourself. Passive smoking kills more people that direct smoking does.  Walk to places which are nearby, don’t use your vehicle. Switch/cut-off the engine at traffic signals -- it saves a lot of fuel. Keep some fuel aside for our future generations. Bicycle is the most eco-friendly way to travel. Let your children understand their social and environment responsibilities.  In your quest for a high status in the society, don’t pollute/degrade the environment. Ask for paper bags when you go shopping. Most shops selling branded goods, especially textiles, do keep carry out bags made from paper. If they do not keep, they will start keeping once every customer starts asking for a paper bag. Do not burn poly/plastic bags -- they cause environmental pollution. Protest against bandh/strikes -- our country can’t afford it. Tell the politicians you don’t need people who can’t care for the country to rule you. Hold them responsible. When you vote, you give them the powers. Hold them accountable to you for their actions. Be a mature and responsible citizen -- both Indian and global. Work toward keeping God’s own country truly beautiful.

  Pratibha Kumaran is an editor and creative writer by profession and currently writes articles for www.infokerala.net.  For article feedback, please contact her at kprathibhap@gmail.com