Each time I travel somewhere out of Bangladesh (or go to certain villages here), I always marvel at the quality of clean air in places other than Dhaka. Aside from the happiness I have, knowing that I’m going to see my family and pets, it sincerely depresses me to enter our “International” airport and realise what filth and depravity we have allowed ourselves to settle for. That’s when I tell myself that responsibility is a two way street. Instead of taking on a victim role by blaming and lamenting, one should choose steps to protect one’s body, those of others, and above all, the environment. In doing so, we end up influencing others! In this world, actions do speak louder than words.
According to the statistics of the Global Environmental Performance Index of 2014, Bangladesh has climbed its way to being the ninth most polluted country in the world. Bangladesh is always ranking worst at something, it can’t be that easy to slip into that category and as conscientious citizens, we need to step up our game. Our Shonar Bangla has been categorised for being the country with the worst air quality as well.
So take a deep breath and imagine living here, breathing here. What are YOU really going to do about it?
Be a rat that deserts a sinking ship? I want to remind you that you are far better than that
Start by helping yourself in small ways and encourage others to do the same.
I don’t believe in fad detoxes that only mess up our metabolism. I believe in detoxing the old-fashioned way – sweating, such as during a workout. Ashtanga Yoga (which I practice and attempt to teach) combines a unique method of breathing combined with movement, which encourages the body to release toxins and other associated garbage. Running on a treadmill or going to the gym will also help you get rid of toxins from the body. Movement is of paramount importance if you wish to keep your body young and healthy.
In addition, watch what you put on your plate. Buy local produce or better start a rooftop/veranda garden. Start small, but think big.
Avoid sugar like the plague. Word on the street is that sugar is a toxin and I trust that. Eat a decent amount of fibre instead.
Drink lots and lots of water all throughout the day. Check the water you drink. Try installing a filter in your tap at home instead of buying all these gallons of water that come in plastic containers.
Check the personal products you use: shampoos, lotions, make-up all come with tons of chemicals which are not good for your body or your health. Ditch them for natural ones. Go product free for a week or so, using baking soda and vinegar to wash your hair. Be wary of what kind of products you use in your home environment, I would switch from the usual (Harpic, etc) to vinegar to clean the floors and toilet. Why? One word that frequents so many lips these days – cancer.
Switch off unnecessary lights in your room and workplace. Watch out for how much water you use when you shower and don’t leave the tap running as you brush your teeth. Care about what kind of products (toxins) you are flushing down the drain as well. Take shorter showers. Go to bed early and use natural sunlight as much as you can during the day. Sunlight is the best medicine for depression.
Eliminate plastic items in your house; especially cutlery, dishes and containers. Plastics carry a great deal of harmful chemicals that can really mess up your hormones, and these days there is a great deal of thyroid malfunctions that can be pointed to factors such as poor quality of nutrition and chemicals we unknowingly introduce into our bodies.
Care about living beings that share your space. I know spiders are scary and I am scared of them too, but they are part of this sacred circle or life and need to be respected. Even a mosquito that we use so many chemicals to kill deserves respect. If you don’t want to have so many of them, then do something about the stagnant pools of water around your house and garden. Use natural products like lemon grass plants to keep them at bay. The aerosols/air fresheners not only harm the nerves in your body but also destroy mother earth.
Take responsibility. Be compassionate
It's convenient to shop at a supermarket but how many of the bottles that we use actually are recycled? Where will they end up? Refuse, reuse, recycle. Don’t throw out garbage from your car window. That’s just plain tacky.
Switch off the air conditioner from time to time and switch lights and fans off when you exit a room. My grandfather always used to do that back in our house in Calcutta and I always thought he was weird – of course now I realise how unfathomably cool he really was in more ways than one.
When you can, walk. It's not only good for your health but traffic, environment and to get back to my original point it will also make you sweat and keep your legs and core strong. Using a car and worse being stuck in traffic creates so much pollution. Beg, borrow, buy but ride a bike once a week. It’s so much fun, it makes you feel like a kid all over again. Have a Friday fun ride with your friends when the traffic isn’t so bad and maybe over time you can have the confidence to ride to work sometimes. I see so many people riding bikes in Dhaka these days and it really makes me feel good. Just think! This could be you.
Items such as diapers, toilet paper, tissues and sanitary napkins need to be used frugally if our planet is to survive, use your consciousness and common sense. Till date, we are not yet equipped to move to Mars.
Do a meatless Monday every week. It takes an infinite amount of water to rear one cow and think about each tree that is destroyed to meet (meat) your needs. Think compassionately of the animals die daily to satiate your taste buds as well. The great Indian philosopher Jiddu Krishnamurti said that the fear of an animal that is about to be killed (or sacrificed) remains frozen in its muscles, and in an energetic way, we ingest that fear. We lose our innate sensitivity and kindness when we allow this kind of violence towards an animal we cage, abuse and murder. Animals don’t have a voice to resist – redeem your own self to the universe by standing up for even a single sentient being. I promise that karma shall repay you handsomely.
Use newspapers as wrapping paper. Save paper, save trees, use a washable handkerchief instead of a multitude of tissues. No it’s not gross, some of us grew up in the 80s and remember doing this.
Buy less clothes and buy local. Consider the pain caused by the source of leather shoes, belts, bags and other accessories you love and try something else. Jute anyone? The Gold Bengal – re-invite it into our economy for a comeback.
Reduce your use of paper. Pay your bills, buy tickets and read newspapers online. Write emails. Think of each tree being destroyed every second – don’t wonder why our city no longer looks green. Do something about it. How about planting a tree and tending to it? Make it a fruit tree so that the birds can enjoy the fruits?
In the world of yoga the earth is known as a goddess and her Sanskrit name is Prithivee. She is our supreme mother – the one shelters and protects unconditionally and never lets us down. We have collectively failed in repaying her for her kindness and she has been feeling sad and abandoned. You can hear her cries in the form of climate change, global warming, disappearing forests, earthquakes and cyclones.
Human beings are blessed with so much courage, intelligence, beauty – and Momma Earth always has freely given us whatever it is we need. The clothes we wear, the food we eat and the water we drink. Let us think of her and decide to come back to earth. Love yourself and all that is around you – the universe hears our voices and gives us back exactly what we give out.
Choose differently for a different result – not just for yourself but for all our future children to come.
In a way, we all are mothers – God(desses).
Anika Rabbani is certified yoga teacher at Studio107 on Road 107, House 14, Gulshan 2. You can reach her via:
Facebook group –YOGANIKA www.facebook.com/groups/yogini.anika
Facebook Page – Anika’s Yoga www.facebook.com/YOGANIKA/
Twitter @yoganika
