One of my very good friend Kiran Karnam stays at NIBM road in a very big society in Pune, which has about 1200 flats. When he moved in, there were many issues in the society. He got involved actively to get things moving. So much so that he became a very important member of the society managing committee. Today their society – Bramha Majestic is very well known in new initiatives undertaken time and again.
One day, he noticed a truck dumping material near a forest area. The land had been under dispute for years, but following a High Court order, it had come back under the Forest Department. When Kiran went to find out what was happening, he was told that the area would eventually be developed, but was currently misused by few citizens.
That led to a series of visits and conversations—with people at the site, engineers and Forest Department officials. They soon realised that the department wanted to develop the land as a forest, but had limited manpower and no clear implementation plan.
Instead of simply asking the department to act, they decided that the community could support the effort. Initially, Kiran and a friend started pursuing the idea. Gradually, more residents joined. A structured volunteer framework was then created covering water conservation, plantation and species selection, ground monitoring, communication, community engagement and stakeholder coordination. They decided to create a Miyawaki Forest on that land.
Today, after an effort of about three years, the initiative has moved into its next phase. Around 30,000 Miyawaki plants and more than 300 larger plants have been planted, and the focus is now on water conservation, maintenance and ensuring the long-term survival of the plantation.
Like many others, Kiran could have cursed the dumper driver, frowned upon while talking to his friends/ family, and moved on with his routine day. A few days later everybody would have had carried on as if nothing ever happened. But instead, he chose to DO something about it and not just TALK about it.
I have seen many people in the world, and even around me, who have this disease – to keep complaining about anything and everything. They only know to complain/ grudge/ find faults/ pass the blame/ get angry about things they don’t appreciate, or which don’t go the way they will prefer. They will have suggestions for everyone in any situation – as if they are multiple subject experts.
Have you come across such people –
- An employee in an organisation, will have hundreds of suggestions and complains about the boss/ manager. Ask them to take up a responsibility to get things right and they will run away from it
- A child might be feeling that their parent does not know how to deal compassionately with children. Need to check if they are doing the same with their parents/ elders?
- A husband can complain about how the wife is spoiling children’s habits by pampering them unnecessarily. It is time to ask the father to take care of the kids for 2 full days and see how it goes
- Parents can complain that their children are not good enough to make their own decisions. How about trying to live a life, not taking any help from them
- Women seem to always have complains about maids at home. Try to work without them for a week, and we will know their real value
- The government/ department is totally inefficient and must be thrown out. How about writing to them or participating in various activities to help them resolve challenges in whatever ways possible
- There are enough issues in the society, which needs to be addressed. It seems we are waiting for someone to take up the baton and work on it. Why don’t we identify an issue and start working for it
- and so on ….
The world today needs more DOERS, than TALKERS! We have enough people who blabber, and don’t want to do anything about it. Most people are good fault finders, but will not work to find solutions. They love to complain and pass on the blame to others. They don’t do it once, but over and over again in variety of situations.
Like Kiran’s NIBM Forest Community, we need to take initiatives or support those who have already taken up a task, in various ways possible. It’s not easy, and it demands commitment, dedication and passion. But hey – that’s the joy of living! We all are doing what we are doing for living. But we should also look at contributing! It’s only when we all come together as a team, can we resolve the bigger challenges. It’s unfair on our part to expect only the authorities or the department to solve the issues for us. We need to play our part!
I urge you to join the gang of – DOERS over TALKERS. The cause you want to support, needs to be identified by you, which appeals to your heart! See you on the other side …..
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