Bengaluru: Echoing the words of John F Kennedy, Purna Sarkar, a 40-year-old Bengaluru based homemaker and the co founder of Repair Café firmly believes that though the time to repair the roof is when the sun is still shining, it is more important to learn how to do so or else, nature will bring with it thundering rains we will have no control over.
“Consumerism is taking over the present age. We buy things and throw them away when they don’t work. The concept of repairing has sort of disappeared, but, what they don’t realize is that repairing can not only reduce electronic waste that is piling up, but it can also help in times of crisis. For example, during the floods in Chennai, everything was drowning and after it abated, citizens were being fleeced for repairing damaged equipment. If they knew how to do it themselves, wouldn't it be a huge help?” Purna said.
In an attempt to bring back the repair culture, she along with her friend Antara Mukherjee, an artist and a homemaker, started the Repair Café in November 2015, which is the first of its kind in India.
While the Repair Café is a global concept with its roots in Netherlands, in India is a different ball game altogether.
“In European countries, repairing is expensive. Hence they are enthusiastic about the skill. Here, the scenario is the opposite, so we have our own challenges. But what is pleasantly surprising is that it’s not just senior citizens who come to attend these workshops, even young folk are also just as curious,” she remarked.
The Bengaluru version is a mobile initiative and it ties up with resident welfare associations across the city to organise training workshops and repair sessions, where the residents can bring in their old appliances and gadgets and get them fixed or fix it themselves.
One of the memebers of the cafe at work
“Repairing is a part of our culture since a long time. We have grown up watching our mothers, fathers, grandfathers repair household items and radios, bicycles and the likes,” she said.
“We didn't dump it in the soil. At our workshops the residents bring in home appliances and clothes and even radios and they can get it repaired and watch and learn from the professionals,” she added.
In the nine workshops and sessions conducted so far, they have repaired 390 items in the city that is the third in line when it comes to generating electronic waste, she added.
“According to statistics, Bengaluru contributes 3 percent of the total e-waste. Now the total amount of e-waste generated in India is 92,000 metric tons, so what sounds like a small number is actually quite significant. Repairing instead of throwing it away or passing it on can help in bringing this down.”
Sustainable and fun, the initiative also helps one to become a more aware consumer, she says. “Once you know what is inside and the know-how, you ask the right questions in case you have to go to the service personnel. It also gives you more information on what you buy in the future. It helps you make an informed decision. And knowing a skill is never a waste.”
