From rainwater harvesting to recycling the water that flows from sinks and showers, Aarati has left no stone unturned and left no tap overflowing !!
Water is necessary for life. Three-fourth of Earth’s surface is covered by water bodies. 97 percent of this water is present in seas and oceans as salt water and is therefore deemed unfit for human consumption. Only one per cent of fresh water is available and fit for human use. That being the case, it is very important to conserve this precious resource. With lesser rainfall, this scarcity will only outgrow more in the forthcoming years. We as citizens, never realize the importance of water and conveniently crib that we get drinking water only once a week or once in 10 days. Do we ever think about saving the water we have???
Dr.Aarati Bhandare, a dentist by qualification has taken up the social responsibility to speak and create and spread awareness about water conservation and rain water harvesting. Aarati who has been almost single handedly championing the cause by addressing students at institutions and people at various social organizations.
She started a group named “Save Water Save Life” who realized that when drinking water is supplied once in 4 days and it is each citizen’s duty to save as much as possible so that there is enough water for all in the coming years.
All were just talking on the scarcity of water but no one was acting on how to educate others on the use of water, hence this group decided to take this forward. It all began with putting up banners during Ganesh Festival and then speaking with the members of the Mandal, then schools, colleges, women associations, domestic helps, the list goes on and on.
She speaks to children in a way that they can understand and always says, if one soul can follow what I say it will be a better world for the next generation.
According to Dr. Arati, she found the need of creating awareness on water conservation, when she saw her neighbours struggling for water in the summer and tanker owners fleecing citizens for money. After that, she decided to gather a bunch like minded people to work on spreading the message of water conservation without any expectations.
Aarati herself is so enthusiastic, talented, joyful, spreading happiness and positive vibes – without an engineering background, she entered the field of water management and conservation.
She has also earned sobriquets such as Madam Mermaid, Jal Pari, Paniwali Bai etc. for her efforts in bringing this awareness amongst the citizens.
Dr. Aarati says, for all those who think that it was a bed of roses, I would like to add “with thorns”. Waiting outside schools and colleges, to seek permission to enter the school. Sometimes getting mocked at, sometimes answering embarrassing questions such as “what’s your interest “, or how much commission do you get for this job??? Visiting Board of Directors of schools for special permission, surviving on a cup of cutting chai and biscuits for hours. Waiting for a phone call just to hear the sentence “you can come to the school tomorrow.. “I many times felt like giving up and enjoying life luxuriously. Doing the same old thing everyday, but there was a piece of me which said: “keep going.”
Out of all awards and rewards, at times I get to meet few mentionable people through the course of my project who add, involve indulge in my activity and make me endorse my decision of not giving up.
She was once asked, “Do u charge for your awareness programs “?
Well, yes I do! Hmmm.. How much?
Consider it given, if I am able to convince even a single soul that water is life!
She also taken up the sensitive issue, revolves around too many myths, disbelief, taboos-menstruation. She speaks to clear the myths of the young girls about this issue and clearing every doubt that they have about menstruation.
I serve through words to be useful to others… not to be praised.
Words encourage, enlighten, motivate and persuade.
Words tell our story, shift our viewpoints and get us into action.
Glad to have got an opportunity to deliver,
she adds.
We wish her all success as hitherto, in her future endeavours.
Actions from all of us is needed for each and everyone’s survival. But we tend to discourage people who want to do good for all without self-expectation still there is huge amount of doubt in sceptics. Common man has no thinking capability just to fix even the leaking tap in his / her own house / home. I wish success to this good soul. We should know the value of natural resource and not the price in human monetary terms.
छान उपक्रम राबविण्यात येत आहे
Well done keep it up