Iksha Foundation and Me

Over the past few days I have been tom-toming about Iksha, an NGO that I am a part of. An NGO that focuses on retinoblastoma, a curable eye cancer in children. Many who know me asked me point blank how an environment fanatic was involved with Iksha.

When my older son was about two and a half, a picture with a white eye reflex prompted someone to tell me he possibly had a tumor in his eye. Though the rest of the family phoo-phood the observation (for my sake), I was pretty scared. I mailed our dear 'kann doctor' friend the picture - I just needed to know he was ok. Our kann doctor, in a very calm reply asked me to take another picture with some specific instructions.

It was tough to get my son to stay still to click the picture but I must say I must have been the first person in the world who was so relieved to see a picture a with red eye! Kann doctor also told me he was 99.9% sure my boy was ok but if that 0.1% was keeping me awake I could see him when he was in town. And we did. And I did sleep much better!

It lasted a only few weeks only but it is a uneasy feeling I don't want to relive. Today I am a part of Iksha because I know many aspects of retinoblastoma closely. I know that if detected early it can be cured - we are not fighting a losing battle and a child may not lose sight. Many children come from families that cannot afford treatment and hence our efforts at fundraising.

We use the Bangalore 10k to create awareness about retinoblastoma and fundraise. Please read my appeal page and it would be great if you and your friends can make a contribution. http://bangalorecares.in/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=89&Itemid=110&app=259

I am sure I have overdosed many of my friends and family with posts about Iksha and the Bangalore 10k, but please bear with me, I do it just once a year :). And by the way - I am still an environment fanatic.

I'll be back soon .... so much has happened in the past couple of week - I have to rant and rave!!!!!

What is that CRITICAL number?

Today my 4 year old came back with a cloth bag that he said we should use while shopping. Yesterday he came back with a Gubbi Goodu (a sparrow house made of bamboo) that he instructed us to hang on our balcony. Their theme for the year was the environment and one of the first songs he sang was about water (oh yes! I was and still am mighty impressed!). While I’m in awe of what kindergartners are taught I can’t help but wonder about awareness levels in janatha. Not only about the environment but other issues that touch their day to day life.  Are they not aware or they choose not to do anything?

I am a firm believer in ‘every action counts’ but can’t help wondering, what is that critical number of do-ers needed for us to see some change? Change in the household, change in the apartment / on the street, in the locality, society ...... Maybe I need to do some research on success stories, across various issues, maybe things are not as bleak as they seem!! Maybe I should mail back people who begin signature campaigns and so on and ask them what happened (I get a few mails or requests every week and I sincerely click the button and put my name down – hey!! before you think I’m a loonie, it only takes a few minutes and if it helps why not?). I am definitely going to share my findings!! Let’s keep those fingers crossed and hope I have something positive to report. Help me out if you know / hear something!

I’m ending this note with a happy thought ...... imagine a whole bunch of chatty 3 feet somethings  going home to their parents with a gubbi goodu and a cloth bag!