“To the seeing eye life is mostly Sparrows.”
~ Will Cuppy

World Sparrow Day (20 March) dates back to 2010, an initiative by the Nature Forever Society (NFS) founded by ecologist and conservationist Mohammed Dilawar. The day was designated to raise awareness of the sparrow population disappearing at an alarming rate in spite of the bird being the most widespread wild bird on earth. This day is also set aside to remind us of our long-forgotten bond with the cheeping beauties and their warm and comforting songs. Ever since India observed the first World Sparrow Day, the idea has caught on in 50 countries. As part of a conservation plan, the sparrow has also been declared as Delhi’s state bird in 2012 and the state bird of Bihar in 2013.

The little birds have also found their way into religion and folklore. In Christianity, sparrows explain the extent of God’s love and care for His creations. The Holy Quran reminds us that whoever is kind to God’s creations is also kind to themselves. According to Jewish mysticism, these are the only birds inhabiting the branches of the Tree of Souls.

After the Roman poet Catullus (c.84-54 BC) transformed this unremarkable bird into a contested symbol of romantic love, sparrows have provoked as much affection or controversy. This sacred bird of Aphrodite, the goddess of love, symbolised true love and spiritual connection.

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In spite of knowing that answers differ from place to place and person to person, I still want to ask, “Is the birth of a girl child welcome in India?” Over small talk and casual conversations with people from various walks of life, I understand that the birth of a girl child isn’t considered a blessing due to the social ills that haunt every girl in our country. I, for one, yearned to have girl children and today I’m a proud mother of two intelligent, brave and kind girls.

74 years after free India was born, girls remain shackled with chains of injustice and prejudice. The making and unmaking of innumerable schemes for girl children have not done much to change attitudes because of the lacunae that hamper on-ground implementation.

Coming to think of how Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) has been implemented since 2014, the CAG reports from various states noted several challenges with the implementation of this scheme. Therefore, a long overdue intervention to ensure the basic survival of girls in a highly discriminatory environment did not do well.

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Malls, branded shops, factory outlets, supermarkets, one-stop shops, on-demand smartphone apps and the like put up their shutters. Now, the convenience stores that have almost been turfed out by big names and periodically went out of business are once again making a go of themselves, lively and vigorous. Once a colourful and vibrant hallmark of typical rural and suburban life, these corner stores did not shut up overnight. But a combination of factors over the decades led to the transition from departmental stores to novel atmospheres, big and colourful, where we also hear foreign words that are exotic brands. Known to all, shopkeepers could not fend off competition from big business that changed consumer habits. Nothing wrong with opting for comfortable brands till we know how much is enough. 

The self-described minimalist in me prevents me from going farther from home that requires a drive or ride to purchase anything that I can find at the store round the corner. Love affairs with local stores never end because they were more than just selling and buying. Yes, they were social by nature. People knew the shopkeepers, and vice versa. People visiting the stores fondly addressed the keeper as annachi, greeted each other by name, exchanged gossip and we got totally oriented as to what was happening in the entire neighbourhood or town. Regulars even purchased on credit. Many came just to pick up a copy of the daily newspaper. While growing up, many of us would have experienced that first taste of independence in walking or riding our cycles to the local shop, often with a family member or a pet in tow. Mostly, shopping meant picking up a few items for parents as well as the obligatory coconut candy, lollipop, a Cadbury or something that’s denied to us. Strolling downtown Nagercoil to Warrens, an ice cream parlour, on Saturdays with my bestie to hang out for hours and hours is such a vivid hometown memory I cherish.

The humble corner store is having a revival of sorts much to my delight. Since COVID-19 has stopped people from looking for more than just essentials, all seek a peaceful, safe and quiet shopping in departmental stores which exist as a ‘social-glue’ amidst social distancing. Unlike olden days, the shopkeeper doesn’t know shoppers’ preferences or have prepared any purchase in advance to be readily delivered. Groceries from any corner store are also meant to sustain proper social relations and the present generation is getting the first taste of it.

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Aspiring singer, Jason Ignatius, in a free-wheeling chat with ELSA LYCIAS JOEL, talks about his working experience, his favourite day, and more.

When did you first sing on stage? Did you have butterflies in your stomach?
Yes. I was extremely nervous, so much so that I couldn’t hold the mic steady and it shook the entire time. Surprisingly, so many people came up to me afterwards and said I “shredded” the performance and that was honestly where I started my journey — a melody and some courage.

Does love for music run in your family?
Most certainly. My parents grew up not only listening to music but also played at least one instrument. I play piano and lean more to the recent pop and R ‘n’ B while my parents are all about the 70’s and 80’s. Not a day goes by where I’m not singing or playing the piano or even recording music on my phone.

Have you ever had a formal vocal training?
Before I went to college, I didn’t have any formal vocal training. Most of my knowledge about singing in terms of technique and other areas were mainly me emulating artistes that I love like Bridgit Mendler. She had such an amazing pop voice which not only showed great control over notes but also a wide vocal range. However, when I joined the college, I was so much in love with music that I pursued a Bachelor’s degree in Music. There I had all the formal training a guy could ask for which only catapulted my abilities and I am so thankful for every class.

Do you believe in “born singers”, the impact of genes?
I absolutely believe in born singers! I can speak from personal experience that all the way from my great-grandmother, music has not only been a pastime but an essential part of our family dynamic. My grandmother learnt how to sing and play the piano, but when it came to my dad, he sang, played the piano and was a choir director. As for me, I can sing, play the piano and guitar, and make records on my computer.

What were the first singles like? The writing, composing, editing and the producer-musician vibing…
Ever since the beginning of 2018 I’ve been putting out music. I love writing even though a lot of my ideas come in the middle of night, but when I take my tracks I’ve made to the studio, the brilliant minds there take my ideas and create a masterpiece is something to brag about!

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All four professionals worked in different places yet got together on a regular basis to coordinate their mission of keeping Pondicherry clean for absolutely nothing but satisfaction of the highest order. Vijaya Lakshmi, Vijay Kumar, Kandha Kumaran and Kannan were very different people in everything except their motivation to be environmental stewards. Shocking is the fact that they used half of their hard-earned money for all activities concerning environmental wellness.

Thus was born…

Four years back, Kannan, the undeclared founder of KPC team was moved by a dog that choked to near death when it tried to eat chicken noodles from a carry bag. He put Facebook to the best, maximum possible use to connect with unseen people for a noble cause. 170 Sundays meant removing trash from the beach promenade of Pondicherry rock beach. There were days when only one volunteer or less than a dozen turned up. Nothing deterred the small, like-minded team from moving forward with its mission and vision, a clean Pondicherry.

Together, they flourish…

Slowly and steadily, educational institutions started to pay heed to the loud and clear voices from KPC. Students from Sri Venkateshwara Engineering College, Pondicherry University Community College, Pondicherry University, Sabari Vidyashram, Vidhya Niketan, their NSS volunteers, and tourists from India and abroad began their tryst with KPC. What began at the beach promenade spread to water bodies, abandoned agricultural lands and heritage areas, thereby watched, heard and imitated by many. That the science of good deeds is easy to teach and learn isn’t a myth is being proved over and again by KPC.

The breakthrough…

Tweeting on daily activities and their impact on society was another activity of Kannan until he knew he was read every day by none other than the Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry and invited him for a meeting after which Kannan’s confidence and optimism grew by leaps and bounds though he wasn’t in want of anything from Raj Nivas at that time. But, he was able to recognize the importance of his own voice and power to restore a liveable planet. Days ahead were more fruitful given the way the municipal officers cooperated with KPC’s initiatives making them feel confident and secure in their abilities and respected for who they are.

Collaborating with like-minded people

Taking part in Raj Nivas’ Swach rallies on weekends was an added motivation. Soon, Raj Nivas interns blended so well with KPC team. Networking with like-minded stalwarts led to more volunteers and bigger crowds that made mission KPC grow bigger and better. For instance, awareness programmes for the construction of toilets in Thondamanatham village turned out to be more efficacious with Devansh Yadhav IAS leading the team. Big minds offering KPC ideas and suggestions to fight the good fight with faith and courage stands them in good stead in spite of local threats and rogueries.

KPC team also learnt that idealism and intent will turn into fearless actions with the powerful on the forefront only after LG Dr Kiran Bedi joined them in their Sunday mission for a start and then on with many other activities of KPC directly or indirectly.

Sensitising tourists who usually bring a wave of trash seems like a gargantuan task which the team is hoping to face by breaking it down to small pieces with the help of able volunteers who can also tackle unruly tourists, especially during New Year, Diwali, Christmas and other holidays.

Self-help is the best help

Removal of water hyacinths from Kanagan Lake over a period of two years was another achievement that’s worthy of a recall. To get inside hip and shoulder deep infested, polluted and foul smelling water body is no joke for humans. Be they MTS staff of municipality and PWD, professionals, students or volunteers. Contrary to beliefs, horror incidents of snake bite, injuries from medical wastes, sharp and broken bottles intensified the process of cleaning. As hard as it seems, it’s possible to make a difference and so did KPC. A boat house beautified the lake and so did trees like Peepal, Pongam, Black Plum tree, Palmyra, Neem, Bamboo, Arjuna and Malabar Neem, planted by the volunteers.

Hard work and perseverance yielding the desired results, KPC took the next plunge. Neglected Thiruvandarkoil Lake was adopted and Pondicherry witnessed its rebirth and revival, clean and beautiful dotted with palm tree saplings. KPC chose palm trees as they require no manure or fertilizer to grow and can survive droughts as well. Vijay Kumar effectively coordinated, successfully completed and vigilantly monitors the health of the lake till today.

Awards raise them up…

Raj Nivas’ ‘2019 Front Runner Award’ and a certificate of commendation from Hon’ble LG propelled KPC in their mission and then the radiant Environment Wellness Ambassador Award 2019 happened. Though it didn’t surprise them because they were beginning to believe good works are supposed to be known and encouraged, the awards made the team visible to a whole lot of people doing their bit for humanity’s wellness journey.

Seeding, the in thing

Even though, saplings required by KPC were supplied by the forest department and Aranya forest, the team equipped themselves to make their own seed balls. Exactly as they believed that all it takes is one idea and the right mix of determination and will power to effect change at the local level, the team supplied seed balls to be given away as return gifts in traditional ceremonies, school and college day celebrations and some industries have begun to buy seed balls from KPC.

Finding time to train students of Thamizh Thendral Thiruvika Government High School and Deepam Special School, Auroville is nothing less than preparing Gen Next to be determined champions of a clean earth. KPC is here to prove that no matter the hurdles, no matter the educational qualifications people of all ages can play a role to make sure they leave behind a place that is just a little better than it was when they found it.

Creating awareness

Of all the 46 programmes KPC conducted on waste management, water conservation and wild life protection in quite a few educational institutions, they found that people responded best to water conservation strategies and activities because water scarcity affects people directly day in and day out. Through these programmes KPC also works hard to prick the conscience of people who litter in public places and educate citizens to handle those who trash, appropriately. Many instances of people confronting those who trash public places have instilled hope in KPC that their journey is worth it.

With no funding from anywhere KPC manages to carry on their plans effectively in time. Investing their hard earned money on public services in the real sense makes these young people grow richer in terms of happiness and life-satisfaction.

Behind their smiles, full throttle laughter, friendly teasing, leg pulling, fondness for good food and willingness to take risks, one could see hearts of steel and tenacious minds to create a clean and safe environment. Here’s a group of youngsters who are determined to do unlimited good works with limited resources without complaining and without trying to network for funds’ sake.

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