“It’s About Time We Speak Less About Sustainability & Do More”, TV Actor Raqesh Bapat

Actor Raqesh Bapat has always championed the cause for switching to a sustainable lifestyle. One of the pioneers in Mumbai who began sculpting his own Ganpati Idol from natural clay & passed the baton to other actors, Raqesh’s passion to teach his art has reached new heights, as he prepares DIY kits for people to sculpt their idols this Ganpati.

Sharing a poignant thought provoking message, Raqesh shares, ‘I’d heard this quote that has stuck with me ever since I read it, ‘ We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children & rightly so. I think any form of art is merely a God gift & it is my responsibility to share my gift with those close to me & really interested. Not that I talk enough about it, but back at home, we have led or rather tried to lead a sustainable life as much as possible. When I started sculpting, it evoked a sense of calm & happiness, it felt like I was being kinder to our planet. It felt therapeutic.’

‘As time passed, I’d a calling of sorts & I had this urge to take this creativity a notch higher & also include other people in the process. I’ve taught Karan Wahi, Rithvik Dhanjani, Tejasswi Prakash & some other friends. We’ve spent hours in silence which almost felt like a happy trance as we brought the murtis to life. I feel like a proud teacher when I see some of them continue it year after year. This is not some gimmick, this is a way of life, we have to start somewhere for our children, our future generations.’

‘On social media, I see a lot of talks surrounding the environment & many campaigns led by companies but sustainability has to be a lifestyle, how many of us actually follow that on a daily basis. All I’m saying is we have to start somewhere & charity begins at home. It’s about time we speak less & do more because the things of nature do not belong to us, we should leave them to our children as we have received them,’ Raqesh adds.