“Sis,
why don’t you sell your 5 year old mobile?” Pixel, my little brother asked me.
“This mobile is in good condition, working and
does not have scratches.”
“Buy
a new, latest model mobile with more features.”
“Pixel,
I don’t have enough funds to buy a new one.”
“Sell
this to generate funds.”
“I
tried to sell it to many. None of them is interested in buying such an old
model of mobile.”
“You
didn’t try to sell it to me, otherwise I would have bought it.” He said with a
wink.
“What
would you do with this?” I asked curiously.
“Thats
a secret. By the way, to whom you try to sell it?”
“Once
I tried to sell it to my driver. The deal was finalised. I handed over the
mobile phone, charger, its box, bill and ear phones to him. He gave half of the
decided money. He asked to use it for one day and then pay the rest of the
money next day. I agreed. Next day, he returned the mobile and all the accessories.
I returned the money. He asked for the rest of the half money. I told him that
he didn’t gave them to me. He laughed and said that he was not asking for the money that he hadn’t paid but he was
asking for the money spent on taking care for this oldie goldie mobile. It was
real tough job to take care of 5 year old mobile for 24 hours. After that I
never tried to sell it.”
“Have
you tried to sell it online?”
“Without
seeing, using and checking it, who will buy it online?”
“Cashify
is an online site which gives you the best value for mobiles, laptop, tablet,
T.V. and Imac. To sell on Cashify is simple, easy and fast. I am sharing
Cashify app with you. Sis, download it on your mobile.”
While
I was downloading the app he told me, “I shared the cashify app along with my
unique code with my friends and relatives. Everytime any of them transacted, I
got paid. You would not believe that I earned Rs. 150150 till now. That means I
can buy a new tablet with the earned money.”
“Pixel,
you are genius. You not only solved my problem but also you are making money
with that. That’s great!”
“I
am, no doubt!” He giggled. “Now fill in the simple details about mobile like mobile
switch on and off, discolouration issues, display or touchpad issues, screen
glass condition, front camera and back camera not working or broken, any defect
in volume button, Wifi/ GPS button not working, any problem in power/ Home
button, delayed charging or other defects, battery faulty and speaker not
working etc.”
I
clicked on the relevant information related to my mobile.
He
instructed further, now, it will ask about the original charger, earphone, box
and bill.”
“Ya.
I have all.”
“You
will get a decent price for that.”
“My
device is too old and it is not under warranty.”
“For
nice deal tell the truth, don’t lie and don’t hide anything.”
“Fine,
my little teacher! How can I correctly decide about the phone’s overall
condition?”
“Sis,
if it has minor scratches, normal signs of usage, external housing intact, no
broken port, no dents or cracks on panel then it’s overall condition is good. If
scratches or dents on panel, discolouration of panel, external housing intact,
minor cracks then its overall condition is average and if multiple dents or
scratches and back or front panel broken then overall condition is below
average.”
“Overall
condition of my mobile is good.”
“Can
you guess the price of your mobile?”
Looking
at the screen, I almost screamed, “Wow! Amazing!! The price displayed is much
higher than the price at which I was selling it to my driver six months before.”
“Sis,
apply the coupon code. Get more offers with this coupon at Amazon 5% extra, at
Lifestyle 9% extra and at Mantra 15% extra.”
“Pixel!
I love you. Now I can buy a new mobile just because of you. The money I was
short of to buy a new mobile is now enough.”
“Sis,
Sell the used gadgets before your house become a museum or junkyard of old
devices. You can also sell your 30 years old T.V. online. Cashify will ask
about the brand, size, screen, sound, remote, age and physical condition of
T.V. It will pay a decent sum of money at the time of pick up in cash or the
mode of payment you have opted.”
“I
admire the idea of getting your device priced, scheduling a free pick up, getting
paid instantly. I will recommend #CleanUpCashOut to my friends, relatives and neighbours.”
“Sis,
let us make a video about it to show it to our friends.”
“Sure.”
Dear
readers, Do not forget to add the coupon code CLEANCASH to avail an additional
Rs.250 on the sale of your gadgets on Cashify.
This
Diwali, I did not celebrate the festival of lights as my father had expired
just a few months back. All houses were decorated with vibrant lights,
attractive rangoli and colourful hangings. They were filled with sounds of
laughter and enjoyment. It was only my house, which was DARK. Seeing others
houses illuminating and mine in darkness I recalled an incidence that my maternal
grandfather shared with me, “When I was five years old, my father died on
Diwali night. We didn’t celebrated Diwali for forty years. All houses were
illuminated except ours. Every house had beautiful lights, eye-catching
decorations and enjoyable celebrations apart from ours. As a child it was
painful to accept that darkness, sadness and loneliness. Amidst financial
problems we faced because of sudden death of my father, the most disturbing was
not to celebrate the festival of lights for years and years. It is a custom if
somebody dies on Diwali then Diwali is not celebrated in the family until
somebody is born in the family. After forty years my niece was born. All the
neighbours came and coaxed us to celebrate Diwali as Godess Lakhmi had appeared herself. Thereafter, we started
celebrating Diwali.”
When he
was on his deathbed, he used to pray, “O God! I do not want to die on Diwali. I
do not want to spoil the festival of my family. Please select some other day
for me to leave this body.” And God listened to him.
I
thought that only this year I didn’t celebrate Diwali but he didn’t celebrate
Diwali for forty years though the reason was the same - death of father.
Diwali
Mela like any other fair was organised in my society with lots of stalls of
food, household items, costumes, jewellery and other utility items with dance programme
admist loud music and spectral lights. I hardly got any time for such
celebrations. On my best friend’s request, I spared my time for this fair.
We
are foodies, so attacked the food first. Tried lots of spicy as well as sweet dishes
like jodhpuri mirchi pakooda, bhalla chat, tikki chat, blue berry muffin, chole
bhature and pan kulfi. These days, my tummy is not used to eating such a spicy
food. To digest all these stuff, I need a bottle of Coke!
While
drinking it, my mind recalled a year back incidence. It was the convocation day
of Sadhana Intensive Course that was organised at Gangotri in Sivananda Kutir.
After attending convocation, we returned to Gangotri town, near the taxi stand.
We were waiting for the other batchmates to come back to the meeting point. I
was feeling hungry as I hadn’t eaten anything since morning and whatever little
I had eaten came out because of sever travel sickness and vomiting. During
lunch, I handed over my food to Mr. ‘G’ one of my batchmates.
I
group of friends ordered samosas, tea and soft drinks. The samosas were too
spicy. To digest them I was drinking Coke. Suddenly Mr. ‘G’ came and joined the
group and discussion. I took a sip of Coke.
“You
are drinking Coke! You are eating samosas!!” The utter surprise in his voice
showed that I made a serious offence.
Mr.
‘G’ raised his eyebrows and opened his mouth. His eyes widened and his pupils
even more. Little horizontal frowns appeared displacing bigger vertical frowns.
His bulged eyes forgot to blink atleast for fifty two seconds. Atleast. He freezed.
I laughed.
“It
is just a bottle of Coke!” I said. “Anybody can read your face like a book!!
ANYBODY!!!”
That
transparent face, I always recalled whenever I had a bottle of Coke!
“Today
we are going to celebrate ‘Dandiya Night’.” The anchor announced. I heard it while
sitting on a sofa in the drawing room of my friends flat. The programme started
well with a Gujarati song. Then they played a Haryanavi song ‘Mera nau dandi ka
bhijana’. I was bit bewildered as how one can do dandiya on Harayanvi song. My
confusion increased as the next song they played was Punjabi. May be they are
trying fusion music on Dandiya Night! One after another, they played the songs
of different states of India.
I am thinking too
much about birth and death. From where one comes and where one goes to?
Mr. ‘K’ replied
We all come from
atoms and become atoms again
I replied
:D A scientific
answer. Actually I was searching for a spiritual answer.
Mr. ‘K’ replied
Spirits are also
made of atoms....2 peg rum (also a spirit) lagao...sab samajh mein aa jaayega (try
2 peg rum (also a spirit).... you will understand everything) :-)
“O-two,
Go out and play in fresh air.” I asked my little cousin who was playing brain
vita.
“Sis,
do you want me to play in air pollution? Or do you want me to play football wearing
mask to protect myself from pollution. Moreover, playing in polluted air will
lower my I Q level and I won’t be able to win more games in brain vita.” He
replied.
“Then,
you must know that inside home pollution is 5 times higher than outside and
sometimes even more.”
“O,
really!” He exclaimed and moved one marble on the board.
“Even,
in this room you will be surprised to know that a pungent smelling dangerous
pollutant is found and its sources are pressed wooden furniture, cupboards, drapes,
foam insulation and carpet. Its name is formaldehyde.”
“And
how does casual-dehyde pollutes air?” He giggled.
“Huh?”
“Dressed
up in ‘3S’ – shirt, snickers and slippers!” He chuckled.
“No,
dressed in female attire - sweatshirt, skirt and sandals.”
He
laughed aloud and I smiled.
“Come
with me, I will show you air pollutants in the kitchen.”
He
put his game on the table and accompanied me to the kitchen. He told. “In the
kitchen, gas stove is a major air pollutant.”
“Besides
that unvented gas from kerosene heater and wood stove emits carbon monoxide.”
“Is
carbon monoxide sister of carbon dioxide?” He inquired with a fun in his voice.
“Carbon
monoxide is formed when there is not enough oxygen to produce carbon dioxide.
Carbon monoxide is colourless, odourless, tasteless, and highly toxic. It is
more harmful to humans and animals as compared to carbon dioxide. It causes
dizziness, nausea, headaches and sometimes death.”
“Dangerous
sis!”
We
were standing in the kitchen and I explained further to him, “Nitrogen oxide is
also produced from the same sources as carbon monoxide and harms human body
similarly.”
“Dangerous
bro!”
“Radon
is a radioactive gas which is colourless, odourless and tasteless enters
silently like thieve in our homes from the surface beneath and from water
sources. We are totally unaware if we are inhaling unsafe air.”
“Dangerous
DAD!”
“Well
ventilation reduces the production and hazards of dangerous family.”
“As
soon as I entered the kitchen then my head started aching. It must be because
of the presence of these poisonous gases.” He put his left hand on his head.
“Let
us open the windows and doors for proper ventilation.”
“Are
cockroach killers the source of air pollution?” He pointed out at two bottles
placed in the corner of the kitchen.
“Yes,
insect killers are source of air pollutants. After spraying, windows should be
left open for some time. Let us move to the drawing room and find out sources
of air pollutants present there.”
We moved to the left and there was a huge drawing room
well equipped with all the modern facilities.
“Aladin’s magic carpet!” He giggled.
I noticed that it was blue coloured carpet with intricate
designs woven on it. He sat down on the carpet and ordered, “Fly Carpet Fly and
take me to a place where there is no air pollution.” He repeated it several times.
When the carpet did not move, he concluded, “There is no place now left in this
world without air pollution or my drawing room is the safest place.”
I smiled and explained, “Plastic side tables, chairs or
any other plastic products and carpets are the source of styrene which is
carcinogenic.”
“To prevent it we should buy more eco-friendly products.”
He suggested. I planted a kiss on his left cheek.
I
further explained, “Sofa foam, wooden table, fireplace and panels also cause
indoor air pollution.”
“We
frequently used air fresheners, candles and agarbattis for fragrance. They also
add a little to the air pollution.”
“True.
You are my intelligent little brother!”
“
Let’s go to the bathroom and I want to show you something new. Sis, come fast!”
He hold my hand tightly and almost dragged me. We took to the right, passed
from a gallery and at the end; there was a combined toilet and bathroom.
“You
have to come inside to see that.” He left my hand and hurriedly went inside.
Curiously,
I entered and found he was standing near a handmade devil.
“I
made this dustbin. I took a empty cardboard, pasted the coloured paper cuttings
to give it a look of a devil.”
“It
is very beautiful.”
“
If you press this wooden piece.” He pointed towards the base of dustbin. “Then
the devil will open its mouth.” He took out a small piece of toffee wrapper
from his pocket and put it in devil’s mouth. “Now, you can try.”
I
smiled and said, “Floor tile, pipe insulation and vinyl ceiling are made up of
asbestos. The lose fibres of asbestos are hazardous to health. They can cause
cancer. This pollution can be prevented by buying good quality asbestos
products and by constructing and managing them with expert’s hands.”
“Oh
my Gosh! The water pipe started leaking again and fungus has started growing.”
He exclaimed.
“The
mold, mildew and insects increase air pollution inside house. They cause
irritation to eyes, throat and nose. This can be prevented by closing any
leakage (as biological sources grows more in moisture), by cleaning the area
and by keeping it dust free.” I sighed and continued, “Chloroform which causes
cancer is present in chlorine treated hot water showers.”
“I
will smell and if it smells like chloroform, I will not bathe.” He winked.
“Naughty
boy!” I drew his attention towards a deodorant placed on a glass shelf. “1,1,1
trichloroethane which destroys ozone layer (2 -6 miles away from earth) is
produced from aerosol sprays. It is always better to buy non aerosol sprays.”
“ha
ha. How wrong I am to think that I can fire aerosol spray to one foot but now I
come to know that I can fire it as far as 2 - 6 miles!”
A
car honked and he rushed towards the garage saying, “Wow! Papa, came home early
today.” I followed him.
He
was disappointed to find that the car was not theirs and it stopped at the next
door.
To
divert his mind I pointed towards a genset and asked, “Do you use it quite
often?”
“Not
much. We have back up of solar battery. In case of emergency only we use it as
it causes air pollution.”
I
saw a small container of paint thinner in the corner of wooden shelf. “Paint
strippers and thinners contain methylene chloride which is a volatile liquid.
It causes nerve disorder and diabetes. The containers should be properly sealed
to avoid evaporation. They should be brought in the required amount only. Their
storage should be avoided.”
“Oh
that! I have to paint a wooden board for my school project. It will be finished
in that project. We are standing from a long time and my legs are aching now.”
“Let
us go to bedroom and take some rest.”
He
lied down on bed and I opened the cupboard to take out my bag from it. A sweet
smell entered my nose. I told him, “Tetrachloroethylene is ‘dry cleaning
fluid’. It’s sweet odour fumes on clothes can cause nerve disorder, damage to
liver and kidney.”
“Riya,
my classmate is just like tetrachloroethylene.”
“How?”
I asked with bewilderment in my voice.
“Sis,
she is very cute, her voice is sweet but she is idiotic. The more I converse
with her, more damage I cause to my brain nerves.”
“Para-dichlorobenzene
is used as air fresheners, disinfectants, pesticide, deodorants and moth balls.
It is colourless solid with odours and a long term exposure can cause cancer.”
I drew the structure of para-dichlorobenzene on the paper and showed him.
“There
is a plump boy in my class, his tummy is just like a benzene ring and he farts
every now and then. Sitting close to him for long time will definitely put me
in trouble.” He laughed aloud on his own joke. “Sis, you explained so nicely
about air pollutants but don’t you think that you forget to tell me something?”
“Like
what?” I inquired.
“VOC?
What’s that? Very Obedient Child like O-two!!!” He laughed. It was like a
soothing temple bell pealing and echoing.
“VOC’s means Volatile Organic Compounds. As
the name indicates, they are organic compounds that are volatile. They evaporate
at room temperature causing air pollution. Formaldehyde, methylene chloride,
tetrachlroethylene and paradichlorobenzene are all VOC’s. Paints, pesticides,
glue, printers, photocopiers, permanent markers and certain building materials
are the source. To prevent air pollution from VOC’s one should buy ‘Low VOC’s’
or ‘No VOC’s’ products. Only the quantity needed should be purchased from the
market and the storage of VOC’s at home should be avoided. They should be used
in well ventilated places.”
He
closed his nose with a hanky and said, “From where this foul smell is coming?”
“May
be this rat farted.” I saw it crawling on the bed’s headrest.
“It
is not a rat, sis. It is guinea pig. Its name is Oink.”
“Oink’s
dander has fallen on the headrest.”
“Does
my lovely pet causes air pollution?” He asked with a surprise.
“Yup.
Respirable particles are suspended particles, which we inhale with air. They
can be from pollens, pets, dust mites, cooking smoke particles and tobacco
smoke that can causes respiratory problems and eye irritation. They can be
controlled by proper ventilation, cleaning and maintenance.”
“A week back, we had a family meeting on the
prevention of indoor air pollution. We decided to clean air by growing plants
that clean air more like aloe vera, peace lily, bamboo palm, snake plant,
spider plant and garden mum in waste and unused vessels. Father quitted
smoking, mother stopped using sprays to kill insects and I stopped playing
outdoors.” He said with a little wink.
“Huh?”
“There
was no time to play as I have to work harder to clean air. In the meeting, I explained
them about Royale Atmos, the revolutionary paint that purifies air. I with papa
went to the nearest Asian paints showroom and brought Royale Atmos paints for
our house. It was I who decided which shade of paint to be picked for which
room. Out of more than 1750 shades of Royale Atmos, to chose the desired shade
was a challenging task for a little boy. I lifted those heavy paint buckets to
the car and from car to house. You will be surprised to know that I painted my
room myself.”
“Wow!
You painted your room so well.”
“Thanks!
Thanks!! After painting the house with Royale Atmos paints we solved the indoor
pollution problem to a great extent. It has a carbon activated technology which
helps in trapping formaldehyde molecule and breaking it into smaller molecules
that are harmful.”
“How?”
“Don’t
you watch T.V.? Haven’t you seen the advertisement in which Deepika Padukone
wore mask everywhere except in her house as her house was painted with Royale Atmos.”
“Ya.
I want to paint my house with Royale Atmos.”
“To
breath in pure air at home, you must.” What have you drawn on these sheets?
Show me.” On seeing me holding some drawing sheets, he asked.
“I
was thinking for writing a post on my blog about air pollution, its causes and
possible solution.”
“Let
us make a video. I will shoot it for you. We will share in on Facebook for our
relatives, neighbours and friends.”
“That’s
a great idea. Let us mix my knowledge and your knowledge for better solutions.”
After
watching it, he said, “What a boring video! In school, when teacher showed such
boring videos then I go to sleep with my eyes wide open!!”
“But
how can you sleep with your eyes wide open?” I desperately wanted to know this
secret.
“Practice,
Sis, Practice. Practice makes a child perfect!”
“O
brother!”
“By
the way, when your are planning to paint your house with Royale Atmos?”
“Next
weekend, I will be free. But which shade should I chose of blue colur as it is
my favourite? I will need you valuable advice in selecting the correct shade.”
“Sure. Any time, sis, anytime for you!” He gently hold my hand and said, “Aladin’s carpet didn’t fly and stayed in my drawing room because of Royale Atmos paint on the walls. My drawing room has the purest air. Now air is so clean that you can do yoga indoors.”
I spread the durrie, sat down cross-legged and took a deep breath. I said, “You are the oxygen of my life.”
While walking on the side road, I noticed a car stopped on
the other side of the road. The father
(I assume) sitting on driver seat drew the kid’s attention who was sitting on
the next seat towards something on the trees may be. The kid searched for a few
moments and then looked with surprise. The view brought a big smile on the kid’s
face.
I heard some loud rasping screeches. Although loud braying
were not at all pleasing to the ears but I was sure that such a high pitched
voice must be of some big birds. I could recognise most of Indian bird’s voices
but they were new to my ears. I hurried towards that spot, looking in that
direction to get a glimpse of a surprise. In between the trees, in a far off balcony, I
saw two long-tailed blue and yellow caged macaws. The two birds were huge, magnificent
and vibrant. I was mesmerised with the view till two ugly crows came from
nowhere and sat on the balcony railing.
“Their beauty caged them whereas their ugliness freed them.”
I thought.
