Our First ever Clone Meet

Of course without the efforts of Yogita and Karan nothing would have actualized. This incredible couple did the ground work to make for great ambience and food and stay.

Look at where we worked – see the view

I feel I need to begin with introducing the star of the show – Mr Jose. Mr Jose is not technically a clone, but has so much knowledge in the waste, waste politics and waste practices that he is our “Guru”. None of the others had met him – and I invited him to inspire us as a group of well-intentioned novices, to take our efforts to the next level of engagement.

And he did just that!!!! Thanks so much Mr Jose and his lovely gentle wife Lizzy for coming and making us all think big in composting.

This is what Mr Jose has to say about the Goa Meet

Dear Mrs. Poonam Kasturi,
Hope you returned home with the sweet memories of Goa summit.
For me it was a memorable occasion and motivation. It is highly encouraging when like minded people sit together and exchange ideas.
I feel that we should continue to explore the possibilities to implement ecco friendly environment methods to handle all types of rejections.

Next Daily Dump must thank Vish and his team of John, Rama and Neetu to work hard to create the right workshop format for us to exchange our ideas on. Without Vish’s planning and gentle sheparding, we would not have got such a sense of bonding and sense of community as a group. He also made sure we learnt from everyone’s stories. That was a brilliant session Vish. John helped to lighten us up after lunch – which is a really hard thing to do!

This is what Rama of GIFT has to say about the Meet.

Dear Poonam,
GOA trip was a memorable trip for me, which was a combined initiative of all the members associated with Daily Dump. The session encouraged interaction and awareness between among ourselves in different ways.
But I shall make it short in a creative form.
YOU ARE THE STRING OF THE ABOVE BEAUTIFUL GARLAND AND WE ALL ARE KNOTTED WITH YOU AS DIFFERENT FLOWERS WITH DIFFERENT IDEAS’.
We should all try our best to make the Garland bigger by spreading the awareness of Composting to the entire Society.
Regards,
Rama.

Our First ever Clone Navneeth came to Goa with a bit of apprehension – wondering what this whole thing would be and how she would feel in the group – many of whom she had never met.

And as the sessions went on, you saw Navneeth grow more and more involved and less worried. Her story of how she got up one day in her park and asked people to gather around to learn about composting inspired everyone with its simplicity and direct ingenuity.

This is what Navneeth has to say about the meet

The Goa work shop was just not a learning experience for me it was kind of a training! This group of highly motivated and totally committed to a cause people,are a wealth of knowledge themselves, and I learnt a lot from each one of them. Thanks and all credit go to Poonam and Vish . We need to meet regularly to keep the good work going.
Navneeth

How could the trip have happened without the generosity and great planning of our hosts – Karan and Yogita. It was lovely to meet and learn in Yogita’s parents penthouse – with a view that was really a “view”. Great biscuits from a local Goan bakery, yummy food and lovely large rooms to stay in. Dinners out with music – this is really going to be hard to match – for the next meet. I hope Mr Jose is listening since he suggested we meet in Kerala in Jan. The highlight was the visit to their shop Green Essentials that inspired Brijesh and Navneeth to begin something like this too.
Thanks to both of you again!

Often, when you meet people (for the first time), whom you have been in touch with over a distance for a while; they seem less than what you expected them to be.
In the Goa session I was amazed to find that there was much more to learn from each person, than I had anticipated. Part of this is of course the people themselves, put a significant part I feel was due to the way that Vish and Poonam were able to direct thing and yet give people room to feel comfortable expressing themselves...."
Ciao
Karan

hello!
My comments on the workshop:
"It was a great experience meeting with everyone associated with Daily Dump. While there was a lot to learn for us individually, I felt that this event contributed towards building a 'community' as it was apparent that each of the clones are active at various levels and have been pushing to make waste management easier for people. All together a superb learning experience."
yogita

Anil has been voted the R&D head of Daily Dump. His keen joy of sharing his changed versions of the Kambha and the Leave-it Pot was touching and very real. Of course he got a scolding from me for not focusing on selling –(but I am the last one who can actually point any fingers on this count) We all finally got to see his improved versions – and it is truly a better and more easier way of making the Pots. Congratulations Anilji.

Brijesh the youngest and bravest of us all, again inspired all of us. His dedication and ability to grow a simple idea and the stories about the dump yards he shared, made us all aware of what a large issue we are all engaged with. Mr Jose and Brijesh were the two ends of the sandwich – they held the meeting together with their stories!

And there was Savita – who got really energized by all the people and their tales. She had gone for the meet wondering what she will get or contribute – all such doubts were set aside by the experience and she even came back volunteering to pitch in more hours at work if the need arose – which is great news for Daily Dump.

Here is a condensed version of my take on the Goa meet.

It was really amazing to see all the different kinds of people contributing in their own unique way to keeping our surroundings clean. Needless to say many of the achievements are quite overwhelming and I came back with a feeling that there are many more people who have chosen to do what they like to do than just make money.

Savitha