A Little Ray of Hope!

Day after day, fifteen-year-old Lavanya Varshney would hear news of how stubble burning was increasing the pollution level in the air. She hails from Jevar in Gautam Buddh Nagar and became aware of the damage being caused to Mother Earth due to pollution in the environment. It was getting more and more difficult to breathe. The sky looked no longer blue. The trees were covered with dust. She wanted to do something to help in dealing with this problem, but being only in class 12, she did not know how to go about it or what to do. However, when an event ‘Khoj Kumbh’ was held in her school, she felt her dream could be made a reality.

The event motivated her to make use of the stubble or parali in a constructive manner, instead of burning it. Her mother taught her how to make household decorative items with parali. She has made artistic lamp shades, paintings and coasters with parali as base. So far she has invested Rs 6000-7000on her Parali Project. The price of the parali handicraft depends on its complexity and size. Lavanya is grateful to her mentor Kumanduri Chari Ranga Sir for appreciating her efforts for The Parali Project.

Inspired by the motivation and praise she got for her Parali project, Lavanya decided to do her bit to reduce the possibility of getting infected by the deadly corona virus that has resulted in a world-wide lockdown. With the help of the local MLA and several enlightened women of the area, she is making masks using material of good quality. They also provide good service. She has spent Rs 5,000-6,000 on making masks till now. So they have established a revenue –generating model. They distribute masks free to the poor, but for those who can afford a bit, the price of a mask ranges from Rs 10 for a 1-layered mask, Rs 20 for a 2-layered mask and Rs 30 for a 3-layered mask.

Lavanya’s initiative has been widely appreciated and the local MLA and SDM are also contributing to her cause by distributing masks free of cost to the poor.

So far, Lavanya has also faced plenty of challenges along the way. Time management, financial issues, negative thinking and demotivating people are just a few of them. Besides, being still a schoolgirl, she has no earning to her credit as yet. But there is no looking back for Lavanya. With full support from her family and friends, she wants to do this throughout her life. Her future plan is to bring about a social change and make people aware of the benefits of saving the environment by preventing air pollution. Lavanya’s philosophy is that life is an investment and she wants to invest in the blessings and love of people. God Bless you, little angel!