42.2 km, 03h:23m:34s, EUR 800

42.2 km is the distance Sandeep ran in 03h:23m:34s as part of the BMW Frankfurt Marathon yesterday. Running the marathon is in itself an achievement to be proud of. Sandeep (runner #9803) went beyond that.

He ran the marathon for a cause as part of Team Asha Frankfurt. The cause: primary education for the underprivileged children in India. Specifically, Sandeep ran to raise money for a project in Wazirpur (Delhi) to support a learning center for 80 "at-risk", out-of-school children, which will help them get back to mainstream schools. He has single-handedly raised EUR 800 as part of his one-man fund-raising campaign (Run to Educate), far exceeding his original target of EUR 500.

Photo Credits: Sanket Phadke & Meeta Paranjpe

Along the way, as Sandeep trained for the marathon, he kept passing on "pearls of wisdom" in his blog. Below are two of my favorites:

"Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional" (quoting Haruki Murakami here)
"Fear is an illusion" (as quoted here)

It's a perfect example of choosing to make a positive impact. We are proud of your achievement, Sandeep!.

Keep running!

Arvind Gupta: Turning Trash Into Toys For Learning

I watched this video a few months ago more in context of learning aids for primary education. Today I remembered it and I look at it through the prism of sustainability and re-usability. Arvind Gupta, the presenter, offers these simple "handmade" toys using readily available items like safety pins and match-sticks as learning aids for children in rural areas. These not only help in understanding basic science concepts, but also are fun, creative, and imaginative. Check out the doodling box for blind children - that's my pick.




Watching this video, I am also asking myself whether this is only about low cost learning aids for kids in rural areas. Wouldn't you take some of these ideas for doing some fun projects with kids around you...bringing art and science together? And a lesson in sustainability too, when the kids see that these toys can be made by re-using potential trash items like paper clips or old newspapers.

Importance of Choice

Came across this interview with Prof. Peter Singer in the German Retail Blog (of Lebensmittel Zeitung), which I wanted to share with you. Reading it, I felt it was quite a provocative interview - the interviewer trying to challenge Prof. Singer's views on ethics and Prof. Singer, in turn, challenging the audience to think differently. 

Reason for highlighting this interview here: there are a couple of thoughts in there I'd like to reproduce here, which also relates to what Kalakosh stands for.

"At the end of the day, you have a choice and can vote with your pocket. That determines what is going to be produced. Producers will only provide such food, if you keep buying it."

Lifestyle is about daily choices we make - some big, some small; some easy, some not so easy. As consumers, we are spoilt for choices - though I feel that we too often forget to exercise those choices consciously or conscientiously. Now, as I learn more and more, I realize what I have missed. 

Which brings me to the second thought from the interview:

"I very much doubt whether you will ever be that [a saint], but the important thing is not to say, “Well, I can’t be a saint, so I shall just throw up my hands in despair and won’t bother trying.” Instead, you should say to yourself: “Look, I can improve!” 

As consumers, despite the choices we have, it is easy to succumb to our favourite brands or to peer pressure or to the price tag - I am probably the best example of that. But I am learning that we can all make a difference - through any action, big or small. One doesn't need to be a saint.

So, after a bit of a philosophical post, I leave you with your thoughts ... remember, every decision you make counts!

post-script: if you are considering giving up meat as I am at this point, you might also wish to refer to our earlier post on the relative cost of consuming various food products in terms of carbon emissions.

school musing: part II

as promised, an extended review on the recycled and handmade paper journals, viz. notebooks and writing pads.

the cover of these very unique journals is made from pages of old school-notebooks, while the pages inside  are made with regular white handmade paper. the process that gives these a distinct look is the use of tea to give the covers their earthy brown tone. read: totally organic and sustainable and beautiful.

a word on the dimensions - the size of a big sketch book is around 8.5 in. x 11 in.  the small size book and journal come in the size 6 in. x 8 in. each. All of them include 48 handmade paper pages respectively.

the book fits the purpose of a savvy yet conscious business professional as well as a university student striving to make a difference. for one and all!

coming soon!

school musing!

if i knew that out of my old school books something creative would be born, i probably would have handled my notebooks well, and perhaps been a little more attentive?

i was amazed and speechless, when i saw some of the fabulous creations that could be made out of old school notebooks. i am not sure that the little children who give their notebooks away also know that, journals and new notepads actually carry their handwriting on their front cover! what could be cooler than that!

the result: a motley of original writing art. every book unique, every bag different!

want a sneak picture peek? wait for my next post.

signing off for meraTierra,

k