World Environment Day - 5 June 2009

UN World Environment Day (WED), commemorated each year on June 5th, is one of the principal vehicles through which the United Nations stimulates awareness of the environment and enhances political attention and action. Each year, a different country hosts the international celebration.

The theme for 2009 is

“Is climate change and the broader consequences of environmental change, and what societies can do in response.”

Campaign Launch- "Say No to Plastic and Say Yes to Style"

Ms Tanvi Shah singer "Jai Ho " from Oscar winning film "Slumdog Millionaire" winner of the Golden Globe and The Oscar Launched the campaign and released the poster....

"Say No to Plastic and Say Yes to Style"

at the installation function of Soroptimist Internationalof Chennai Downtown on 8th April'08.

Cloth Bags folded into a small pouch as small as a Cell phone were gifted to all.

This project is financed through donations and run by volunteers and the bags are distributed as gifts.
The Bags are gifted to all, and people can contribute whatever amount they like towards this movement which isIn association with "Small Steps" an intiative by Upasana - Auroville

What can a little bag do?

• Every single bag can effectively prevent dumping of 200 throw-away plastic bags.
• Every single bag can provide a meaningful job to women who are empowering themselves.
• Every single bag can educate a whole family about environmental issues
• We are making 10 million bags
• Yes, by hand!
• Creating 1000 jobs for 1000 people for 1000 days.

It is not only about making a better world, It is also about changing ourselves, Learning new values, Taking responsibility, Loving our mother earth. It is our love in action.

How much should I pay for a Small Steps bag?

When you purchase a small steps bag, you are not buying a product – you are joining a movement. When you carry our little bags, you are demonstrating your conviction that, when we are conscientious of how we use resources, we make a collective difference in the condition of the planet and the quality of our lives .Upasana does not sell these bags, in the conventional sense. Instead, they are distributed within what has come to be known as the “gift economy.” This does not mean that the bags are free, though you may take one without payment if you cannot afford to purchase one or you are not inclined to contribute. It means that you are asked to assess the value of sustaining this program, and to pay as you wish so that others may enjoy that which you have been given.If you believe that the bag has value – as a utilitarian item, as a symbol of environmental responsibility, or as tool of community awareness – you have the opportunity to support this initiative and help it grow. For example, you can cover not only the cost of the bag you receive, but also the cost of producing and distributing one or more other bags, which will wind up in the hands of those who cannot otherwise afford them. Those bags will be a gift – your gift! – and will keep the movement going and growing.