Canning water at institutionsprotocooperation of students and caretakers
Rohit Ranjan
Introduction
Our business and educational
institutions consume a considerable
amount of water on daily basis. The
excessive use of water in our nations
institutions and among the privileged
section of the society has led to a state
where the poor people face a deficient
of supply.
While a lot of focus is being centred
on educating the youth or beneficiaries
of the institutions, the
caretakers/housekeepers fall on the
blindspot of the system. These
caretakers/housekeeping staff
members are the ones belonging to the
lower earning strata of the community.
They are mostly unaware and/or
ignorant towards the severity of the
issue of climate change and water
scarcity that stands in the face of the
world. They might themselves have
experiences with water scarcity but fail
to relate it with other section of the
society.
It is observed that water
consumption in Indian cities (more so in
large cities) is far lower than the norms
laid down by Bureau of Indian
Standards.1 Some activities, like
washing clothes, bathing, use in toilets,
and washing dishes and utensils are
the most water consuming activities in
the cities.2 Hence, immediate action is
required to sensitize this section of our
institutional framework.
. www.postersession.com
Department of Energy and Environment, TERI University
Methods
There can be several methods to
achieve this goal. The one I think
would be most efficient is a direct
StudentCaretaker Involvement
(SCI).
The institutions hold great
amount of resources which can be
put to great use towards the
sensitization of the caretakers. In
such a relation, which could be
termed as protocooperation,
students would be directly
responsible for sensitizing the
caretakers over a certain period of
time. The pedagogy tool would be a
choice of the students judgement.
The underprivileged would be
made aware of the current scenario
of climate change, water scarcity,
energy deficiencies and the future
risks.
The students would be assigned
the task of improving the knowledge
base of the caretakers as well as
inciting behavioural change in them.
And encouraging them to practice it
in real life, sharing the knowledge
with others, and encouraging others
to follow it.
Results
The protocooperation thus developed,
would benefit both the sections and
the society as a whole.
The caretakers would benefit as they
would be sensitised towards the
concerns of the world, the remedial
actions that can be taken and
practices that can be adopted.
While the students would get to put
their theoretical knowledge into use
and inculcate a sense of critical
thinking towards the same. This, would
help in bringing behavioural changes
in both the sections of society as well
as age group. Furthermore, these
people although belonging to the lower
income group would get the benefit to
seek knowledge which can again be
disseminated to their children and
family members who would otherwise,
likely not have gained any knowledge
about the issue. Thus, we secure our
present and build hope for the future.
Conclusions
Hence, it is of utter importance that
the interaction between students and
the caretakers should be appraised.
This is one of the most efficient and
simple methods of knowledge
dissemination among the caretakers
of the institutions which holds great
promise for the future too.
Taking action measures by institution
would instil greater respect of the
institution in the eyes of the
caretakers and motivate them to
excel.
Reference
1 : Water Poverty in Urban India: A Study of
Major Cities by Abdul Shaban;
http://www.jmi.ac.in/upload/publication/Water
_Poverty_in_urban_India.pdf
2 Water Consumption Pattern in Domestic
Households in Major Indian Cities by
Abdul Shaban and R.N. Sharma,
published in Economic and Political
Weekly, June 9, 2007;
Image courtesy: The Wall Street Journal;
http://blogs.wsj.com/indiarealtime/2012/06/2
1/why-is-delhi-running-out-of-water/