Bengaluru Embraces Repair Culture: Fix It, Don't Ditch It!

Bengalureans are invited to embrace sustainability this weekend at the 'Repair Maadi Bengaluru' event. Instead of succumbing to festive discounts, attendees can have a variety of items, including bicycles, umbrellas, clothing, kitchen appliances, and furniture, repaired. The event, organized by the waste management NGO Saahas, is the third edition and serves as the flagship annual initiative of their broader RRR (reduce, reuse, repair) campaign, which regularly holds repair gatherings in city communities.

This initiative seeks to revitalize India's traditional repair culture, which has diminished as consumers increasingly opt for new products over repairs. Saahas highlights that many modern products are not designed for repairability. The event features 11 vendors offering services like tailoring, knife sharpening, and suitcase repair. Workshops on recycling and upcycling will also be available, empowering attendees with practical skills.

The 'Repair Maadi' event also aims to bolster the incomes of traditional repair workers, such as cobblers, who have seen their livelihoods impacted by evolving consumption patterns. Saahas ensures that these vendors retain all earnings from the event, providing gap funding if necessary to cover their potential daily losses. Entry to the event is free, though repair services and workshops have associated charges paid directly to the providers. It is scheduled to take place at the Indian Institute of World Culture in Basavanagudi.