Small interventions make a big difference

Man is a prisoner of his bad habits. So was I. A helmetless drive often thrilled me. But this Karva Chauth, my better-half gifted me a helmet with the promise that I would wear it whenever I rode the two-wheeler. At first I protested but later realised the significance of this small intervention. Since that day, the helmet is crowned on my head whenever I ride my bike.

A small intervention can bring about a big change in attitude. Bolstered, I have taken it upon myself to make such interventions in the interest of society.

I carefully chose my first target. I noticed my students bringing eatables to class and spoiling its sanctity. Wrappers of chips and chocolates were strewn in the classroom. One day, I decided to conduct a surgical strike. I started picking up the litter before teaching. My initiative left the students confused and embarrassed. They realised their folly, felt sorry and promised not to repeat it in future. The next day, when I entered the classroom, it was spic and span.

My next target was a neighbour who burns waste from his house in the open. His action leaves everyone sick and breathless. But no one dares to question his irresponsible act. One day, when he was about to set the garbage on fire, I approached him with folded hands. I requested him not to pollute the air. To discourage him from burning the waste, I put the garbage in a bucket and promised that it would be disposed of in an eco-friendly manner. He understood and has since given up the habit.

The next person on my list was the recalcitrant manager of the mall from where I had been buying pouches of milk. The mall had not been maintaining the cold chain for dairy products.

My attempts to urge the manager to set the cold chain right had fallen on deaf ears. One day, I e-mailed my feedback to the mall’s headquarters only to learn that the system had been set right within a week.

We are slave to our habits. Many of us are in the grip of the ‘chalta hai’ or complacent attitude. Seldom do we raise our voice against the faulty system. We forget that small interventions can yield positive results.

The Swachh Bharat (Clean India) drive has its roots in a humble initiative. What began as a small intervention by Mahatma Gandhi has now become a national campaign.

The recent curbs on bursting firecrackers this Diwali are a small step towards a cleaner environment. When we go exchange Diwali greetings, we could paste a slip on gift wraps with the words, ‘Say no to crackers this Diwali’. This small intervention can make the Festival of Lights brighter, cleaner and more memorable.

WE ARE SLAVE TO OUR HABITS. MANY OF US ARE IN THE GRIP OF THE ‘CHALTA HAI’ OR COMPLACENT ATTITUDE. SELDOM DO WE RAISE OUR VOICE AGAINST THE FAULTY SYSTEM