Sustaining our Initiatives: Creating networks of Maintenance, Repair and Care in India
Virtual Event
October 25, 2024 9:30 AM to 10:55 AM (EST) | 7:00 PM to 8:25 PM (IST)
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Join us for a virtual event celebrating International Repair Day as we bring together the diverse collaborators of RepairCafe Collective India.
This gathering will unite a vibrant mix of individuals including organic farmers, architects, neuro-psychologists, educators, healthcare professionals, and representatives from various institutions who share a deep resonance with the principles of repair and maintenance.
The event will serve as a space for participants to share their inspirations and learnings about their maintenance, repair and care initiatives, and those gained from their involvement with RepairCafe Collective India. Attendees will discuss how they integrate repair and maintenance concepts into their respective fields, from practical skills and sustainable living to creative approaches in dementia care and beyond.
As we explore the evolution of our network and its impact, we will address key questions:
- How can we enhance our collaboration?
- What challenges do we face?
- Is our effort truly transformative?
- What is its intended impact?
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This event will be an engaging exchange of ideas and insights as we navigate these important discussions and strengthen our collective commitment to repair and sustainability in India. We’ll unite an inspiring mix of individuals—teachers, writers, architects, neuropsychologists, neuroscientists, educators, homeschooling parents, filmmakers, enthusiasts, and representatives from various institutions—each deeply committed to the principles of repair, maintenance, and skill-building as essential pillars of sustainable living.
Questions? Please email event organizers Purna Sarkar (responsetochre@gmail.com), Himadri Das (himadri.das@gmail.com), and Liliana Coelho (liliana@themaintainers.org).
REGISTER HERE
Accessibility
We recognize that the scheduled time may not work for everyone, and as The Maintainers seeks to best support our international community, we aim to offer a wide range of event meeting times. Additionally, we welcome individuals to submit recordings if they are unable to attend live sessions. Please let us know if you have additional suggestions about bridging gaps between time zones when seeking to connect globally.
We strive to ensure accessibility in our virtual events and welcome individuals with accessibility needs to reach out to us for accommodations at liliana@themaintainers.org.
About this event
This event is modeled off of The Maintainers Meet Up. The Maintainers Meet Ups aim to elevate a dynamic virtual space that fosters collaboration, knowledge sharing, and advocacy among maintenance, repair, and care-centered practitioners.
Are you a repairer, fixer, maker, hobbyist, mender, or caregiver passionate about community-building? An independent or university-affiliated researcher delving into the themes of maintenance, repair, and care? An advocate seeking to promote the maintenance of sustainable infrastructure and public services? An artist whose creative endeavors center maintenance and care principles? Whoever you are, as long as you are a maintenance, repair and/or care enthusiast interested in community-building, the Maintainers Meet Ups are the virtual space for you.
Speakers
Arti Hanagodu
I am a Post Graduate in Physics. I have been working as a Tutor for the IIT Foundation Course with Agarwal Classes, Brilliant Tutorials, BASE and ACE Learning Center. I also previously worked as a Facilitator for the NIE Program of The Hindu in various schools in Bengaluru. In 2023, I did my Digital Marketing Course and have joined a firm “Conscious Living Center”, and am looking after various projects. I am also a Governing Council Member of Consumer Care Society.
Gangadhar Panday
Gangadhar Panday quit Govt of India job and started Babul NGO in 2012. Since then he is spreading awareness about various Environmental issues. He is an actor and short film maker.
Gaurav Sahni
Gaurav is a software professional, technologist, and electronics tinkerer who loves building products. He co-founded ‘Full Harvest’, an agriculture-tech company based out of San Francisco that helps save food waste at the farm level. He is passionate about sustainable living, recycling, and reuse – currently trying to bring these ideologies into practice within his community in Bangalore.
Hamsa – an engineer by profession and works in a product company.
My interest in sustainability began when I built my house in an eco-friendly manner. I wanted to be part of a similar community, and when I came across Repair Café at a BBMP fair, I was fascinated by their work and vision. This inspired me to volunteer, along with my husband, as we are both passionate about repairs, DIY projects, and tinkering.We started with a bicycle repair workshop in our area, and the strong community interest led us to hold regular workshops, expanding from bicycle repairs to other items like umbrellas, cookers, and mixers. We also assist our neighbors with repairs and share bicycles.
Additionally, we have had opportunities to visit schools to repair children’s toys, battery-operated devices, and bicycles. We advocate for repair and reuse, which not only reduces waste but also empowers individuals with valuable skills. Our goal is to make our communities more sustainable, teaching basic DIY skills one repair at a time.
Jwala Narayanan
Jwala Narayanan is a consultant Neuropsychologist at Manipal Hospital and the Annasawmy Mudaliar General Hospital, Bangalore, India. Her clinical work involves neuropsychological assessment and rehabilitation. Her research interests are in neuropsychological rehabilitation, memory, bilingualism and dementia.
She also runs Cogworks at the Cognitive Neurology Clinic. It’s an enrichment program for people with dementia. They also paired with Repair cafe to spread awareness on dementia through upcycled Art!
Mala Kumar
Mala Kumar is a writer and editor who enjoys engaging with children. She is the author of Up the Mountains of India, the Rupaiya Paisa series and many other books. She writes articles about people, places, social experiments, wellness and nature and, at other times, grows herbs in objects that are beyond repair.
Meena
Meena is an unschooling mom from Chennai, who helped organise repair cafe at Chennai. She is into exploring a natural way of living which has taken her into multiple folds of life ranging from health and knowledge to spirituality. She draws inspiration from her kids, who keep showing her what an innate human being is truly capable of.
Renjin Cherian
Renjin Cherian is an urbanist and he works as an assistant professor at BMS School of Architecture, Yelahanka Bengaluru. He is the course coordinator for the M.Arch (urban design) program.
Sneha Bakkal
Sneha Bakkal, A Doula, Traditional Midwife and a Homeschooling Mom. Homeschooling was a conscious and informed decision to take this untrodden path to ensure my children experience and participate fully in their learning journey. I am part of a Mumbai Muslim homeschoolers group where we run academic sessions fortnight and conduct outdoor experiential learning trips and do our bit to encourage participatory learning in the community.
Sudhir
Sudhir is a co-founder of a makerspace called Kreu, which has been working with Repair Cafe Bengaluru to host repair workshops. Apart from running the makerspace, he heads the electronics division at a robotics startup, and has meandered through different disciplines as a neuroscientist, school teacher and a board game designer.
Dr. Poorva
Poorva Abhishek,MD,DNB Microbiology, Worked at Rajiv Gandhi Medical College for 8 years,Co-founder and facilitator at Sadhana Learning Centre. Environmental enthusiast, loves embroidery.