Reenita's Wisdom

This was originally written as a Mother’s Day special for the Times of India, May 9th 2010. Here is the original story, which I honestly prefer but if you are a die- hard TOI reader, you can find it online here.

Reenita and Ilya

Offering sympathy for dealing with my near-thirteen-year-old is akin to offering sympathy for the devil.

It’s a phase, everybody says, she’ll get through her teenage years.

Yes, but the question I ask on daily basis is will I get through it? On some level, Ilya has been going through “a phase” all her life! [...]

Just show up and be bridal, my mother advised. She had been planning this party for years, and would be damned if anyone interfered with what she saw as her ultimate moment of glory.


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I am as guilty as anyone of finding pleasure through chocolate on occasion. In fact, there are certain “feel good” snacks that I associate with my childhood, Kitkat being one of them.

However recent reports of  Nestle’s role in eradicating the Indonesian rainforests, home to the Orangutan, puts perspective on my desire to snack on Kitkat’s “chocky-bickies.”

A Sumatran Orangutan (Src: Sumtran Orangutan Society)

According to this morning’s Sun, Nestle is guilty of purchasing palm oil used in the treat, from a company which allegedly clears Indonesian rainforest lands to develop palm oil plantations instead. Greenpeace says that this has led to the death of more than 1,500 orangutans in a year. [...]

While the world praises India’s development, the country’s acquifirs have been significantly depleted of water in the last several years.  Water is being pumped from wells at a much faster rate than it is replenished by rainfall.

India’s diminishing access to clean and safe water supplies has been long apparent to those involved in the discussion on the world water crisis.  Recently, this serious issue has become the subject of video awareness campaigns on international airlines.

India’s Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh, has warned of severe water shortages in the next few decades. While this is fast becoming evident in urban centers like Mumbai and Delhi (which has the highest per capita consumption of water), the highest impact will be felt in rural areas.

More than ever, it is time to become mindful about taking steps towards conserving water.  If you are looking for ideas as to how you can make a difference in your own home, then take a look at the Green Living Guide to Water Conservation.