Take initiative…

You can make a positive impact by implementing one or more of the ideas listed on this page. Remember, you can take initiatives everyday! Every small deed is important, every day.

Animal Welfare: Educate yourself about Animal Welfare laws in India. Learn about how you can contribute.http://www.awbi.org/FN.pdf

Plant trees: Plant bird friendly trees like neem and peepal so that birds have something to eat and nest.

Indoor plants: Invest in low-cost, low maintenance indoor plants. Not only are they aesthetically pleasing, they also aid in removal of toxins and chemicals in the indoor air. They purify the air, making the place more pleasant to live and work.

Help your winged friends: Keep water in balconies and window sills for birds. Many birds die due to lack of water during summer. Grow plants on your balconies to provide shade to the birds. You will be delighted at the company of your winged friends.

Know your Language: Language we have been brought up with, is our mother language. Many languages in our country are fragile. Practice speaking your native language with children. Teach them the significance of the language. Read a story or poem in your native language. Encourage friends and youth to use native language. Blog about your language. Language is one element preserved by continuous usage.

Water awareness: We can save water in simple ways daily such as not letting the tap run while brushing, or washing our face.  We can limiting the time spent during showers. Water is precious.

Reduce your plastic consumption:

• Keep cloth, paper, or jute bags with you at home, office, or car, so that you remember to use them when you go shopping.
• If your purchase is relatively small, avoid taking a plastic bag.
• Challenge yourself and your friends to go without getting new plastic bag for a week or a month. Every bit counts.

Recycle: Make sure you recycle newspapers and magazines. Donate items (in decent condition),  you no longer need to individuals who could use it or to NGOs.

World Leprosy Day: Understand the scientific cause for Leprosy and help spread its awareness in our society.

Oil and Gas Conservation: Read about the need for ‘Oil and Gas Conservation’. Understand that there is a limit on the oil supply. Fossil fuels take millions of years to form. Each one of us can help reduce the country’s oil imports by following simple steps. 1. Walk whenever possible, instead of using a vehicle. This is good for your health too. 2. Reduce the heat while cooking on your stove. 3. Maintain good condition of your vehicle. More great tips can be found here.

Child Labour: Educate yourself about Child Labour. Learn more about the causes of Child Labour and the laws governing them. Spread the message to raise awareness about it. Support organisations working to help eradicate Child Labour.

World Braille Day.Make an attempt to learn more about blind people, and the issues they face in their every day life. (http://nabindia.org/usefulinfo_faqs.htm ) Support an organization serving the blind by volunteering your time or by making a donation. Go a step further, by making a pledge to donate your eyes.

Start Today: What better time to start doing something good than today! The reasons are countless, but the need definitely exists. Someone in your community may need help.Give your time as a volunteer. If you need a place to start check out the websites: Earn Karma, Karmayog, and Idealist . From my own experience, the amount of satisfaction obtained while serving is immense. Whatever we do, however small could shape a person’s life.We can make a difference everyday. Let us start today!