It’s the new year and I have read about all the arrests for drunk driving, public nuisance and resolutions of friends wanting to quit drinking; the last is likely to last less than a week. Schools and colleges have reopened, and those studying botany and zoology are gearing up for study excursions to wilderness regions. Some, I’ve heard, are going to Mahabaleshwar to understand the flora of the Deccan Plateau. There are others booking up jeeps and canter safaris and luxury rooms in resorts near various tiger reserves, national parks and bird sanctuaries. There is hardly anybody talking about dormitory accommodation or trekking and beach-combing as that would mean arduous study and fieldwork. Among all these honeymoon-like plans, one student even declared, “Let’s go fly a kite”, suggesting a combined trip of culture and nature, to Ahmedabad.

The penchant for festivities never subsides in the true blue-Mumbaikar. Hence, the student’s suggestion didn’t seem in the least absurd to most faculty members or students of the institute. There was some concern about logistics and how soon all arrangements could be made. Within a fraction of a second, however, there was an animated display of joy. A few pointed out shopping options and others started discussing eateries that could be visited. But among these excited beings, there were a bunch of grey and boring nerds, who were nature club members and hardcore academics. They posed the uncomfortable and unwelcome question, “Don’t these paper kites and sharp threads harm our birds, trees, powerlines and landscape?”