ERWIN FONSECA
ALDONA: The story goes that it was a dog that saved an entire family from meeting a tragic end in a Titanic episode. Many stories revolve around dogs and their faithful qualities, but for Supriya Sarin it was her pet dog that transformed her life and turned her into a crusader against plastic.
Supriya originates from North India and is presently staying at Aldona. She now runs a business of pulses, foodgrains, juices and other masala items. Her lifestyle is completely plastic free and she also moves around the village creating awareness and collecting plastic.
A few years ago, Supriya Sarin’s life was all glamour, advertising, publicity and moving around from place to place for shoots; sometimes in Goa, sometimes out of Goa. She was ambitious and focused on earning a living. However, destiny had different plans for her. She was about to lead a “life for others.”
“Some ten to twelve years back I had not the slightest clue that my life would take a new direction. I was into business, advertising and publicity. I used to go to different places for shoots. Although I had a good income, it was very hectic. Then came a time when destiny took me on a different path altogether and now my past life is far behind me as I have new priorities,” informed Supriya.
For Supriya, the turning point came when she adopted a dog. After the adoption, it was later diagnosed to be suffering from an auto immune disease. Supriya says that she and her family left no stone unturned in getting the best treatment for the dog so that it could live a full life. “For us it was not just a dog but a family member. We would ensure it lives a fulllife, in spite of how impossible it seemed. We consulted many renowned vets, only to be told that any chemical medication could aggravate the situation and potentially cut short hislife.”
This was a testing time not just for Supriya, but even for her dog, as it had to be subjected to natural treatment and kept away from all chemicals and plastic packed foods. “We were told that no plastic packed foods or chemicals should be allowed for the dog and if possible, not to encourage plastic in the house as well. It was a life-threatening disease for the dog, which was then just a small pup of a few months.”
Supriya took the utmost care to ensure the dog was kept chemical and plastic free. “About five years back we came to Goa for a shoot, but later realised that Goa was a wonderful place and we should find a place and settle down. Wherever we went we used to take the dog or ensure was safe with a caretaker.”
After settling in Goa, Supriya started promoting her business while simultaneously waging a war against plastic. “I deal with food items prepared by my family members or brought from farms in North India where no chemicals are sprayed. We believe in promoting good health and being eco-friendly,” says Supriya.
All items sold at her store at Ganvar, Aldona are kept in hygienic glass bottles and customers have to come with their own bags or containers to take them. “If we look back at history, the plastic menace never existed. Our ancestors used to carry their own bags. Today it’s become a trend to go empty handed to the market and buy plastic bags to pack one’s items. Nobody takes the trouble of carrying a cloth or eco-friendly bag.”
Supriya’s dog is now almost 11 years old and is fit and fine. Additionally, she has seven more dogs and cats.
“For me, business is not just about income. It’s a means to convey that each person has the potential to be a plastic warrior.”
Besides being anti-plastic through her business, Supriya also does a great social service by encouraging people to collect plastic. “Though the panchayat may be doing its bit, we can’t depend on them alone. It’s the duty of each of us to lead a life of zero waste plastic. Some panchayats do a very good job in their fight against plastic, but the people also need to take accountability. It is sad to see educated people throwing plastic pet bottles on the road or breaking glass bottles. Such behaviour doesn’t suit an educated civilisation.”
She is equally critical of everyday habits that contribute to the garbage problem. “Today people want the easy way out. They eat out and contribute to the garbage problem by wasting food and littering in public. Unfortunately, we don’t have stringent laws to counter this.”
When asked if her war against plastic has yielded any results, she responds saying she is satisfied with her work as her dog is still alive and a lot of people are promoting her business’s concept, but her ultimate goal is to make her village plastic free. “Sometimes business is good, sometimes not so much, but I am on a mission. Once Aldona becomes free of plastic and waste, my mission will be complete.”
Sometimes business is good, sometimes not so much, but I am on a mission. Once Aldona becomes free of plastic and waste, my mission will be complete