Filling the empty spaces.. Future NOW!!

Day in and day out we are reading about pollution, global warming, chemical processing and revival of heritage. Volunteer Groups, NGOs, stringent Government policies have already realized the damage that has been done by the new age human civilization.

The efforts at individual and group levels in getting back and being rooted are some baby steps being taken in the huge Urban clutter, where "Retail therapy" is the buzz word. 

This so termed "Therapy" is just a stop gap solution, temporary and hollow, promoting "use and throw" concept amidst the new generation...but still empty and hollow, leading no where!!

Some good hearts amidst the herd have rolled up their sleeves and taken conscious charge to not allow chemicals get into their food stream. 

Sunday, 23rd September, in the Capital city, where 'vertical growth" spending on weekends in the malls, showing off brands and price tags is the culture which has seeped in...in that huge ocean, I got an opportunity to meet another small stream of people who are reversing the trend. 

Bikaner House near India Gate is one of the favorite spot for a bunch of entrepreneurs who have given up on their hefty corporate pay packets and are out in the open to blow the trumpets of their own brand wagons in a "Sunday Market".

Yes, not in an air conditioned environment, not in expensive decor where everything is perfectly placed, but you spot spices placed in sacks to touch and feel and taste; so is the case with Afgani dry fruits where 'kagazi badam' and 'khubani' were star attractions.

At one end Akshay Radia gets organically grown farm produce from Vrindavan in Uttar Pradesh, on the other end I got an opportunity to meet another young lad, Deepak Khurana who runs a home stay in Manali and is also into dairy farm produce.. be it cheese with herbs or pure ghee made of cow milk.. all organic!!

Healing through natural ingredients is an age old ancient art. Hence to revive that was an essential oils counter by Meraki where you get pure extracts of aroma oils which have proven their healing powers. Cypress, citronella, cardamom, basil, clove are just to name a few.. 

Turmeric or 'haldi' too is known for it's benefits, coming from Grandma's age old wisdom, has 'circumin' a chemical compound, has its own list of advantages.. be it for chronic kidney disease, cardiac or cancer. "Aranayam", the brand at Sunday market was selling turmeric shots. They claim not only to be organic, but the turmeric has high amount circumin (the key compound), hence only a small dose is sufficient. The tiny wonders are packed with various flavors, cinnamon, cardamon, black pepper etc.

Organic array of tea's comes from gardens where elephants have not been disturbed. Nuxalbari tea estates in Darjeeling also promote campaign "Haathi mere Saathi".

Healthy snack bars, gooseberry marmalade, chick peas tacos, afgani food and bird of paradise from the flower stall were other attractions.

Bikaner House, a part of Lutyens Bunglow zone is another stream of fresh air in chocking capital. Silent spaces, rich culture, British architecture with Mughal influence is host to many such revival initiatives.

Food of course not only has medicinal benefits but is medicine.. until we allow the man-made chemicals enter our food chain. 

Thereafter, I headed on to Bangla Sahib; a Sikh Gurudwara, dedicated to Guru Harkishan, the eighth Guru; too holds a significant place, not only as a historical and religious landmark in the Capital, but lot of healing  tales with a maybe placebo effect. The energy lies in holy waters which is carried back home by many pilgrims who visit the temple.

Hence, it's time to fill our reservoirs with age old wisdom and begin with FUTURE NOW..