Say Yes To Travel

What do we have in mind when we think of hills and hill stations? I am sure around 7 in 10 people will say something on the lines of ‘serenity’, ‘calmness’, ‘joy’ and the like. However, reality can be shattering sometimes and can wash away all the notions we often have of distant places. Most of the times, movies, literature and stories make up our notions but travel can bring real knowledge into our lives. I mean to say travel is not only uplifting but can be immensely educative at times like it happened in my case.

Many years back, I went to a famous hill station named Manali. It is a small hill station in Himachal Pradesh and is located in the Beas river valley. All through the way we were looking forward to exploration, greenery and freshness. I also traveled to Rohtang Pass but came upon some shocking truths

The place is green and breezy indeed but there are many things that demand urgent attention like the issue of plastic waste. Numerous hotels and mini resorts have mushroomed in the place churning out plastic waste at an accelerated pace. The amount of waste generated is worrisome can be seen prominently in a small place like Manali. The snow at Rohtang pass was dirty and semi-melted as well, much to my disappointment.

The second issue is of lack of good schools and colleges. There were no good government schools and most children aided their parents in shops around the city. Many times I notice school kids trying to sell local fruits to passing tourists instead of being in classrooms. Illiteracy is prominent and worrisome.

Most of the roads are unpaved and some are very steep, too steep for the safety of lives. The huge number of Israeli tourists enjoying their small stay on their Military stipend had led to too many Israeli food joints to open up. The factories and the poor waste disposal systems were already polluting the place. Isolated clusters of habitation and poor electricity supply and connectivity make it tough to manage during times of flood and emergency.

I am not focusing and ranting upon the negatives only. After all Manali is place to visit and enjoy but I mean to say that it was only after travel that I came to know that hills demand attention and care. Things we read in books and watch in movies and TV many not be all rosy. Only one thing can make us see the both sides of the coin and that is travel.

The locals were cheerful and hospitable, the waterfalls are breath taking, and the Hidimba Temple was lovely. Overall I must say that the place has its own slow pace that cannot be rushed and its own rustic beauty that is charming despite being wrinkled by swelling population and uncared for natural resources.

This visit is etched in my memory because I said Yes To The World!

You too can explore, observe the real picture, become open minded and discern both sides of the coin! Just connect with Lufthansa by #SayYesToTheWorld.

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Let's Make a Room for Clean Air

“I felt my lungs inflate with the onrush of scenery—air, mountains, trees, people. I thought, “This is what it is to be happy.” 

― Sylvia Plath

Yes! That is precisely why we rush into the lap of Mother Nature! The change of air is a common panacea for tired and depressed souls. The salubrious air of the hills is no less than a divine feeling. The industrial and other pollution has damaged the air quality in plains like never before and even the indoor air which was perceived as ‘safe’ and ‘cleaner’ has become toxic; in fact it is five times dirtier than the air outside. We cannot always rush to green mountains for a change. Rather, we must change the air at the place we reside and breathe day in and out. It has become imperative to tackle this issue urgently.

It was a humid Wednesday morning when I spotted my neighbor taking her husband, who was visibly weak and tired, somewhere. As it was a working day, it piqued my interest a bit and I asked the lady. With a drooping face she replied that he had been coughing constantly for last two days and had to take a leave that day. She told me that all that was because of the lack of fresh air and the industrial pollution. They both are in their sixties and in this age, these effects manifest very quickly. I will get back to it later; firstly let us ponder more over this thing- why a simple thing like air has become a precious commodity? I was a kid when the fashion of mineral water arrived in India. It was a clear sign of the forthcoming paucity of clean water which we now can notice clearly. Similarly, these rising pollutants in air and sale of air masks is a sign that breathing air is going to be far dirtier in times to come. In Mexico, people purchase pure air; this fact throws much light on the degrading quality of atmosphere. These days, every car is air-conditioned and literally, people travel in small AC pockets that emit heat outside, making temperatures soar each year. The ‘environment’ is going haywire.

What exactly do we mean when utter this word? The dictionary defines the word ‘environment’ as

‘The surroundings or conditions in which a person, animal, or plant lives or operates.’

We need to understand the basic thing clearly- that we cannot leave, cannot just go away, there is no ‘other’ place. The aim is to keep ourselves healthy as air pollution is just one of the many health hazards that now bother us. ‘Air pollution’ is a very wide term and many factors are responsible for it, most of which are beyond a common man’s approach. However, on an individual layman level, we can do our bit by ensuring that the air we breathe in is clean, that is, we can focus on indoor air. Now, it is a huge myth that indoor air is clean and it is far safer. Indoor air can be 5 times more unclean than the air outside. How is it possible? This looks like a laughable thing! If this is true, then where are we supposed to go and take refuge from all the pollution outside? Where is that place that can give us a breath of relief?

“Thank God men cannot fly, and lay waste the sky as well as the earth.” 

― Henry David Thoreau

The answer lies in our own homes; just a bit of thought and attention is required. There are many factors that contribute to a dirty indoor air like

· Insects (dead or alive)- According to a study conducted by the Delhi University's ‘Vallabhbhai Patel Chest Institute’, mosquitoes are the second most common cause of allergy in patients suffering from asthma and rhinitis. Yes, sadly, that dead mosquito too, pollutes indoor air.

  Weeds and pollen- The allergy to pollen is one of the most common allergies.

· Roaches- Who does not abhor the sight of creepy brown roaches? The fine hair on their limbs can trigger many allergies and cause asthma.

· Dust- Dusting the furniture may be good but have you ever wondered where does all this dust go? It eventually settles inside the house over the floor. So, when we are dusting the house, we are displacing the dust, not eliminating it.

· Bathroom Odors- In cities when living spaces are compact and bathrooms are inside the rooms, the dirty air needs a good exhaust but sometimes, it can mix with indoor air and make it dirtier.

·Other Things- for example unused stuff like old books, medicines, clothes, shoes, incense sticks, fuel, perfumes, deodorants, roach killing sprays, liquid mosquito repellents, fine pet hair and even stale vegetables can greatly increase the indoor pollution.

The natural question that arises now is, what is to be done to tackle all this as neither it is possible not to use these things and nor to throw all these out of the house. Luckily, there are various steps that we can take to ensure a cleaner air in our homes. A cleaner air not only means a good health but also, sturdier long term immunity and less of chronic health problems. If you have elderly and children living with you, these measures are no longer a matter of choice but are urgent and necessary.

A dirty indoor air can bring dizziness, fatigue and even severe throat soreness. My neighbor too, has taken many measures to clean indoor air for her husband’s constant coughing. According to EPA (United States Environmental Protection Agency) the long term effects of a foul indoor air can be horrifying. Issues such as severe respiratory diseases, heart diseases and cancer can be fatal, and all these stem from a low IAQ (Indoor Air Quality). There are various steps we can take but before that it is important to know how dirty the indoor air is and as there is no rating scale. We can check for the signs like-

• Any palpable smell in the air.
• Poor ventilation- fewer windows or doors & windows, usually latched.
• No or damaged chimneys- Modular kitchen chimneys that are easily affordable are good.
• Too much humidity- It provides a good breeding ground for bacteria and mold.
• Hairy pets- can cause asthma. Yes, that cuddly pet can give you health troubles as well.
• Too much burning- If you are using too much incense or dhoop batti or candles, as is usual in Indian homes, the indoor air may become laden with pollutants.
• No plants- Plants clean air naturally and some potted plants can help a lot.
• Smoking- If anyone in your home smokes, it will surely give two times more damage.

 Now, we know where the problem lies and once the enemy is obvious, making fool proof strategy is easier. There are many steps we can take to clean indoor air

1.   Good paint- High quality paint like Royale Atmos which reduces formaldehyde levels by 80-85% in 24 hours under standard test conditions can greatly help in constantly purifying indoor air.

2.  Good Ventilation- Using modular chimneys in kitchens and exhaust fans in toilets and bathrooms can help a lot. More outdoor air should be made to enter indoors through doors and windows.

3.  Pets- If you have pets with fine hair, you should use a good vacuum cleaner as these fine fibers can cause respiratory troubles.

4. Hobbies- If your hobbies include activities like woodwork, welding, oil painting or such, a separate studio or space must be arranged with an exhaust fan.

5.   Indoor plants- Certain houseplants can be used to improve IAQ greatly.  

We spend more time indoors, especially when we sleep at night. It is the time when the body repairs and heals itself, thus it makes the air quality an important part of the healing process. I am a plant lover and there are certain plants that clean air like magic. Some of them are-

  1.  Garden Mum (Crysanthemum Morifolium)- As per NASA, these cleanse indoor air of dissolved ammonia, benzene, formaldehyde, and xylene.

  2.   Weeping Fig (Ficus Banjamina)- It can grow up to ten feet tall and is common in India. It removes benzene, formaldehyde, and trichloroethylene. 

   3.   Snake Plant (Sansevieria Trifasciata) - Funnily, this plant is also known as ‘Mother-in-law’s Tongue’! This can be grown in very hot conditions and does not require regular watering hence it is useful for busy and working people.

4.    Aloe vera- The most beloved plant these days! All the skin and hair care companies going nuts over this plant! It is called ‘Ghritkumari’ in Sanskrit as it has been said that its benefits are as valuable as those offered by ‘Ghee’. Your friendly Aloe can help clean the air too!

     These little wonder plants are available very easily and do not require much care. By the way, my neighbor’s husband is fine now and is taking medicines for his chronic cough. This is just one case out of many where the degrading air quality has started showing ill effects on health. 

 “The generation that destroys the environment is not the             generation that pays the price. That is the problem.” 

― Wangari Maathai

Life is important; all talks of art, culture, passions and change are useless if we suffer from chronic diseases and spend years in curing ourselves. Life is not about wasting days in hospital or in a chemist’s queue. It is about vitality, health and activity- all of which create our happiness. It is not always possible to bring huge change in old patterns and routines as there are many factors that make up an environment. Air pollution is a macro thing; many factors go into damaging the quality of air. However, by taking precautionary measures and by following simple steps like keeping potted plants or using good wall paint, we can keep IAQ high.

     It always pays to be proactive; even if symptoms are not palpable. Measures taken at the right time can eliminate the chances of these potential health disasters. With rising health care costs, and medical negligence as well, as is the condition in India, prevention is better than cure.

Asian Paints bring ‘Royale Atmos’, a fantastic wall paint that helps clean the indoor air without compromising on style and beauty! So, no fear of wall discoloration and peeling off at all!

The Activated Carbon Technology in ‘Atmos’ helps cleanse the indoor air. It also absorbs some foul household smells. Moreover, it also releases fragrance giving you rid of those pungent chemical odors the paints typically have.

 

Check out this wonderful product on https://www.asianpaints.com/atmos

To know more via mobile phone, sms AIR to 56161

Images and Ref-

mygardenlife.com

myhouseplants.com

amazon.co.uk

123rf.com

youtube.com

indiblogger.in

thenewlywedpilgrimage.com

archiexpo.com

Speak Up With Montu!

I sincerely believe in the power of team work. After all it is this synergy only that makes the work happen in reality. There are many issues that plague our society at this point of time. Even after the advent of technology, things hardly have gone better as far as cleanliness and sanitation are concerned. The electronic junk and the hell lot of plastic waste that we have been generating for the past few years is posing a serious threat to our eco-system, to the cities and towns we live in. Take a stroll down any busy road and the first thing you will probably notice will be the heaps of garbage lying here and there along with the waste like empty plastic bottles and paper cups, flying like free radicals all along the road. This can be stopped and it will only take few simple steps towards the solution, which is ‘recycle and reduce’. 

There are various ways to make India ‘Swach’ and trust me, this does not involve a long broom and a mask but only some spare time and a dash of creativity. Prevention is always better than cure so it would be far better to avoid the stage when we will be forced to sweep through the streets and before the garbage becomes as toxic as it can, we should recycle the waste first hence reducing its quantity. Let’s start with recycling. As per dictionary this term refers to

•         Convert (waste) into reusable material.
•         Return (material) to a previous stage in a cyclic process.
•         Use again.

So basically, when we reuse a thing, say an empty bottle or a bag, we are recycling it. This not only generates less waste per capita (per head) but also reduces your carbon footprints in the long run that means you end up doing something worthwhile for the ecosystem that sustains you. It is like giving back something to your parents or maybe like donating a helpful amount to your alma mater. Hence, recycling, I think, would be the first step towards ‘Swach Bharat’. 

This is a small fish I made using a waste CD and waste plastic sheet and it was fun! Plastic bottles can be used in gardening and for making decorative vases. The Internet is flooded with such simple and interesting DIY craft ideas. Papers must be recycled and you can use the back of calendars (the plain white side) for book covers and waste A4 papers for random sketching or for making grocery lists. Another important thing is to reuse stationary. It is illogical to throw an entire pen just because you do not wish to take up the gigantic task of buying a new refill! Come on! Imagine if millions of Indians will reduce their carbon footprints and waste every day, we will become ‘Swach’ within a very short span! 

There are many ways to reuse the things we throw into the bin, that too without any segregation, every day. That empty bottle with a wide neck can be a good pen-stand if painted something upon and that old fashioned sari can be a good cushion cover. Donating things that are no longer in use instead of disposing them in garbage is another good idea. Old clothes, old toys and books, I think, must be donated to the needy. This way, in the long run, we won’t be bothered with the heaps of garbage parading themselves on the road sides.

Now, there is no need of bearing the agony within yourself for you can speak with ‘Ab Montu Bolega’ campaign brought to you by Strepsils! Just visit this amazing website http://www.abmontubolega.com/ and say whatever you have to regarding social changes. You can join Montu in speaking against socials plagues at FaceBook and Twitter as well! So, just pop and Strepsils and bolo whatever you wish to and please do not forget to recycle and reduce the waste!

‘Kyuki Bin Bole Ab Nahi Chalega’ #AbMontuBolega 
is a campaign that empowers people to speak up, raise their voice to make a difference against the ills that plague our society.   

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 Images From:

http://www.socreativethings.com/9-creative-ideas-to-reuse-plastic-bottles/

http://www.eco-generation.org/ambassadorReportView.jsp?viewID=1110

http://sketchosphere.blogspot.in/2010/09/cd-fish.html