Science of Gratitude

We did a research on how Gratitude impacts this world. We believe its a ripple effect.
We believe by Thanking someone, we make this world a little better place. We believe by just saying THANK YOU, it will encourage people to be more kind.
We’re exploring the role of being Thankful in our lives.
Do you’ve five minutes? If so, it would be great if you could share your thoughts about it by answering a few questions about the Science of Gratitude.

So we’ve placed a Gratitude Tree, this tree has Thank you Cards, anyone in the office can take a minute to pick one and write thanks to the person they would like to thank. We kept the tree open 24*7 encouraging people to come and express their gratitude. People picked up cards and dropped them near the tree. It creates a good feeling to be thanked and know what, it would also give a great feeling to thank someone who helped us.

we would like to collect the written cards and then we would like to deliver something special to two people

Person who Thanked

– its because without them, the Gratitude Tree would be empty

Person who was Thanked

– for being kind and helping others

We believe its a ripple effect and know what its working!
RIPPLE EFFECT

Project Broomstick

Did you ever take a morning walk and if dust on the road clouds you, how do you feel? – Irritated, right?

Won’t you feel suffocated for a moment? – Definitely, right?

If we are feeling so irritated & suffocated for a moment, think about people who clean our roads breathing in and living out in the same dust that we feel irritated. Hours and hours, kilometers and kilometers, they clean and that’s for like 24/7 JOB for them.

Usually job enables a human independence, health insurance (because he/ she can afford) and happiness but their job defines a new meaning. Our research has left us with surprising stories of people in these jobs cleaning lanes/ streets stretching over 2-3 kms everyday. Typically each day starts around 5 a.m and ends around 7 a.m.

“Street sweepers play a very important role in promoting hygiene surroundings while they surrounding themselves with dirt and diseases.”

A typical sweeper earns around INR 7,000 – 10,000 per month and they are hired on contract basis, which means they are not entitled to any Government insurance policies or benefits that any person working for Government does. [1]

Risks

With average compensation staggering below 10 K and with current pollution trends, their job makes them vulnerable to develop certain occupational diseases. They’re constantly exposed to fine particles, commonly referred to as particulate matter (PM), ranges from PM 2.5 to PM 10 and is the most dangerous. When inhaled over a long period it can cause medical conditions such as asthma, heart disease and even lung cancer.

Some of the diseases are

  • lung infections – Inhalation of dust acutely affected the lung function of sweepers in India and that sweepers were at a risk of developing occupation related lung function impairment.
  • Chronic bronchitis – this is mainly due to inhalation of smoke/ dust that forms mucus and inflates the bronchial tubes.

While the others includes inflammation of lung tissues, asthma and other respiratory problems. [2] The above diseases occurs because road dust is suspended large size particles which is greater than 100 micro meter in diameter and fine particles with 2.5 micrometer in diameter can pass through our lungs into our blood supply. [3] Sadly, 1.2 K workers are prone to these infections in the year 2015-2016. [4]

“Most of the times my body itches and aches, but I’m not fazed because this is the only job I’ve and I need to take care of my family.” – Chose to be anonymous.

What needs to be changed?

Well a lot can be changed. As part of what could be done,

  • Periodic Health Checkup camps
  • Entitlement to basic benefits which should include Health Coverage, Medical allowances.

Changes in Supplies –

  • Sweeping Boots
  • An air purifier mask

Sign the Petition

Notes-

1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24298455

2. https://www.ajol.info/index.php/njps/article/view/32660

3. https://www.nap.edu/catalog/12171/respiratory-diseases-research-at-niosh-reviews-of-research-programs-of

4. on the note of few workers interviewed