The Humble Bairas

 Right now, somewhere in the world- 200 trees are cut every second. By the time, you finish reading this post, several thousand trees have already been cut. In a Year- 800 crores trees are cut.  Cut for what?  To make paper. The paper we use in a house- from kitchen Napkins to Tissues to Toilet Roll ( To wipe our Bum). This year we (the people of Planet Earth) consumed 400 million tons of paper for household use. 

 Just 30 years back- world was using half of this. We are cutting trees, like there is no tomorrow, because our usage of paper has grown exponentially. Maybe the richer you get- the less conscious you become about the environment or maybe just bad habits?

 As expected the west consumes a lot of paper. In USA, per person average Paper consumption is 200 Kg’s per year. India's  is  just 15 Kg’s. That's a huge Difference.   One of the major reasons could be the Bairas or the hand towel- each Indian house has, at every corner. It’s an essential member of the kitchen. –From holding the hot pot to wiping off the washed Utensils. It hangs itself, right next to the wash basin. Bairas will be on the shoulder of the person having a running nose. Indian Men don’t leave the house without the the younger brother of Bairas-The hand Kerchief. In the Vanity Bag of the Indian women- you would probably find a small Bairas along with the Kerchief (if a small kid is accompanying her). These Habits have helped us to drastically reduce our paper consumption. And it’s a Good thing.   As Bharath becomes prosperous, aspirations will grow, picking up habits from the west would be the next logical step.  Hopefully the Bairas will continue to play a big role in our homes.  *Remember* : The Humble Bairas is both economically and environmentally friendly.!!!