BHARATI PAWASKAR
Borrow, use, clean and return, all free of charge - is the principle this whole exercise works upon. Prerna Agrawal’s recent decision of not using disposable utensils herself and also helping others not to spend on disposables is making rounds on social media. There is a reason why it has become instant hit - she not only reduced the burden on Mother Earth of carrying disposable plastic and thermacol in her womb for generations, but also letting others do so by allowing them borrow her brand new set of steel utensils free. There is only underlined condition - cleaning before returning.
It’s just 10 days that she posted this request on social medial and already four thankful families have borrowed the utensils from her. Two more have booked for March 29 and 30. “Disposables generate waste which ultimately degrades our environment and poses danger to our planet. Let’s stop this and instead contribute towards conserving the nature,” states Prerna who has initiated this concept and implemented as soon as she thought over it.
Unbelievably, Prerna’s ‘Utensils Bank of Goa’ does not carry any price tag. Showing the set of shining utensils on her kitchen platform she announces, “Come and take. It’s all yours.”
Prerna currently has a set of 100 plates, 200 bowls, 100 spoons and 100 glasses bought recently. She is offering this set to anyone who asks for it on only one condition - borrow, use, clean and return.
Prerna’s family has wholeheartedly supported this initiative. When she’s not around and someone drops in to borrow the utensils, Prerna’s husband Pramod Agrawal, vice-president at Himachal Futuristic Communications Ltd at Verna, lends his support. Their son, Saumya, a BBA student also takes the calls for booking.
People also call her asking why is she doing this, if not for money. Does she have too many old utensils? Some call to ask if they can offer their old, extra utensils to add to her bank. To such inquiries, Prerna’s one liner should be an eye opener - she asks - Can’t we do something that gives us pure joy? Is everything done keeping in mind, the returns and benefits?
A triple post-graduate Prerna offers coaching to students answering IAS exams for the past eight years. She has done post-graduation thrice - in Economics, in Hindi and in Kathak dance. Her decade long stint as a Hindi teacher at Manovikas School was very inspiring.
“As Hindi is compulsory subject in IAS, I teach them Hindi,” maintains Prerna who teaches Hindi to foreigners too. Many of them are interested in our rich Indian culture and it is through Hindi that they get introduced to our heritage, she says. Not stopping at this Prerna, a post-graduate in Kathak dance form runs Prerna Samanvay Cultural Kathak Classes where kids above five years and women of all ages come to learn Kathak. Her dance classes in Margao and Panaji are in separate batches for kids and women and affiliated to Prayag Kathak Samiti, Prayagraj (former Allahabad).
“Currently there are 25 children and 50 women learning Kathak with the eldest woman being of 62 years. My class is open for all those women who have never learnt any form of dance. Many who had suppressed their wish of learning Indian classical dance in their childhood, come to me now, after they crossed 40. Learning to dance at this age unwinds them. They feel liberated. I want to spread happiness and see smiles on the faces of people around me,” expresses Prerna who recalls the dance programme she organised on October 24 last year at Ravindra Bhavan Margao. “The three-year event was dedicated to two themes - Women Empowerment and Save the Girl Child and all of my students had participated in it,” she quips.
Contributing to the society in some way or the other is Prerna’s goal and she is walking towards her chosen path. This Bhopal born came and settled in Goa 24 years ago and considering Goa as her Karmabhumi yearns to do something to better the lives of those who dwell here. She expresses her wish to expand the Utensils Bank project to other cities in Goa, if someone steps ahead to volunteer.
“I can buy and provide sets of utensils to volunteers in Panaji, Vasco, Ponda and Mapusa so that people from these places do not have to travel to Margao to borrow. They can borrow the utensils in their own cities,” shares Prerna who is waiting anxiously for her second son Tanmay, currently doing BBA in Delhi, to join her so that her mission of helping the humanity can be taken forward with the help of each member of her family.
