Kabari wala and Bartan Wali

I moved to Europe few years ago and whenever I visit India people usually ask how life is different in Europe than India. And, most importantly how do I keep myself busy there. Other than clean air and water, clean cities and less traffic, almost no pollution of any kind whether air or noise, there are also subtle differences that you start observing when you reflect upon them.

I have seen that the mail box (which is called a post box in India) is always full in Europe, as well as in Canada. You would wonder why is it. I don't know why but I can tell you what keeps the mail box always full unless you put a note on the mail box that you don't want any unsolicited mails. In Canada and Europe, you get the weekly flyers in your mail box as well as free newspapers. Yes, in developed countries like Canada, Western Europe, newspapers are free. There are few paid newspapers as well but usually the local newspapers are free and they drop those newspapers in your mail boxes. And, if you visit a bank,  mall, or hospital, there are so many information flyers, newsletters and magazines on different subjects, that are also free and you can pick a copy if you wist to read. I am a voracious reader and all these stuff keeps me busy and well-informed.

As all these stuff is free, and you dispose these recyclable paper material in the recycling bins. So, there is no concept of Kabari wala in developed countries. 

Waste management approaches in India and developed countries are totally different.  This is something that you will surely observe. And, the knowledge of what to dispose where also makes the ordinary citizens of  western countries more wiser than ordinary lay persons of India. I was totally surprised when I first heard about the 'Waste Police' in Switzerland. Switzerland enjoys the reputation of the heaven on the earth and this country is worth visiting. Rules about waste management in Switzerland are so strict and well executed that people really care to dispose their waste properly. There are different waste bind for different purposes, waste centers etc.

For old clothes and shoes, there are separate bins. You can dispose your old clothes and shoes in those bins if they are in good condition and can be reused by others. If those clothes or shoes are not in such good condition to be reused than they go into the land fill. But, in India the concept of Bartan wali is so popular, these ladies will come door to door in the afternoons and exchange new utensils for old clothes i.e. sarees, pant, shorts, shoes, etc.

Likewise, for plastic and metals in India, we have kabari wala. But in developed countries, they have separate waste bins for everything.

These bartan walis used to be kind of afternoon entertainment in my childhood when my mom will negotiate a big utensil in exchange of old clothes. Likewise, one Sunday of every month was reserved for Kabari wala to sell the old newspapers. 

These kabari wala were also in big demand in the months of March or say early spring, when the school results are declared and students are excited to go back to the school and will study in new class. So, all the books and copies of previous year will be sold to the Kabari wala.

But, in developed countries you do not find this fun. And, these are the occasions when you get the chance to interact with people. And interaction with real people is very important, it keeps you emotionally healthy. But in this technology driven world, in-person interaction is diminishing though the speed is slow but steady.