One small step for the environment - A journey of patience and positivity

An inspiring story of Bharati Bhimrao Patil (Khyaal Club Member)

“My name is Bharati Bhimrao Patil. I am from Kolhapur but was born and brought up in Ambarnath. That is where I did all my education. After my marriage, I moved to Boisar near Palghar. I always liked learning new things. So after my marriage, I completed a civil defence course, a Montessori course, and finished my B.A. through correspondence. For fifteen years, from 2007 to 2018, I ran a Montessori school in Boisar. Teaching those little children gave me joy. I always believed that learning should never stop, no matter what stage of life we are in.

While running the Montessori, I also started taking interest in social work. I formed an all-women social group in Boisar in 2010. We were a group of women who wanted to make a difference. We started working for the betterment of our locality. Some looked after cleanliness, some took care of community activities, and some supported families in need. I used to teach yoga to women, and in the evenings, I would visit homes to talk about cleanliness and sanitation. I wrote letters to the gram panchayat asking them to help us keep our area clean. They supported us, and slowly our surroundings started looking better. These small visible changes gave me a lot of happiness.

After 2018, I moved to Pune to stay with my son. Even in Pune, I wanted to do something meaningful for the society. One day, we saw a buffalo eating food mixed with plastic. That image stayed in my mind. It reminded me how harmful plastic is- to animals, to nature, and to our future. I decided I would do my bit to stop this. During the lockdown in 2020, I started making paper bags from old newspapers. My son, who works on environmental causes, had inspired this idea.

I began making paper bags every day at home. I made nearly a thousand bags in the lockdown. Once the lockdown restrictions eased, I began distributing the bags. Slowly, people started noticing my work. The Pune Municipal Corporation also appreciated my efforts. They even invited me to conduct workshops in housing societies and institutions, including Reliance. Then, I started spreading awareness about the harms of using plastic and also started teaching children, seniors, and women how to make paper bags. I explained to them how even a small effort can make a big change. At first, some people did not take me seriously. They said that they already knew these things. But I did not let that stop me. Many others listened carefully and understood what I was saying. They even started following it in their daily lives. When people told me how they stopped using plastic and started making paper bags at home, I felt very happy. I realised that my small effort was truly making a difference. I also made small bags for temples so that they can distribute prasad without using plastic. Once, a woman who distributed sanitary pads to underprivileged girls saw my bags and asked me to make 200 paper bags for her. She later called me on stage and appreciated my work. That simple moment made me feel that my small efforts had meaning.

I have conducted many workshops till date. I talk about how plastic harms the earth and how paper bags are a better alternative to plastic bags. I have also made around fifteen thousand bags so far. My goal was to make one lakh bags, but my husband suffered a stroke. My focus shifted towards his care, and I had to slow down. Financially, too, it was not easy. We do not have a pension, and our income is limited. But I used whatever little I had to continue this work. I never stopped.

Sometimes, when I see litter on the road, I pick it up myself. I believe keeping our surroundings clean is everyone’s responsibility. This work gives me peace. I do not do it for money. I do it because I see people changing. Some people tell me that they no longer throw wrappers on the road anymore because they remembered me. When I hear that, I feel proud. I feel my efforts are not going to waste. My efforts have also been recognised by PCMC, and I was honoured with the ‘Sav Puruskar’. My story was shown on Saam TV and in newspapers. And, it made many people reach out to appreciate my work.

Even now, I wake up early, exercise, finish household chores, and sit down to make paper bags. Because of my knee pain, I cannot sit for long, but I make sure I do a little every day. Once I have made enough, I go out and distribute them. This simple work has become my way of giving back to society.

Recently, my daughter-in-law introduced me to Khyaal after seeing ‘50 Above 50’ online. She registered me for this initiative, and I am very happy she did. I participated in the Change Maker of the Year category. It feels nice to connect with others of my age who are doing such beautiful things after retirement. It gives me happiness to see so many seniors engaging, learning, and enjoying life together.

To all my fellow seniors, I just want to say one thing. Even a small step can make a difference. Keep moving forward. Be thankful for what you have. Live your life with gratitude and peace, and never let your spirit fade away.” - Bharati Bhimrao Patil (Khyaal Club Member)