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By:

Asha Tripathi

14 April 2025 at 1:35:28 pm

Stop Comparing, Start Growing

Success does not grow in comparison; it grows in focus. Over the years, women have made significant strides in every sphere of life. From managing homes to leading organisations, from nurturing families to building successful careers, women have proved that strength and resilience are deeply rooted in their nature. Financial independence has become a significant milestone for many women today, bringing with it confidence, dignity, and the freedom to shape one’s own destiny. However, along...

Stop Comparing, Start Growing

Success does not grow in comparison; it grows in focus. Over the years, women have made significant strides in every sphere of life. From managing homes to leading organisations, from nurturing families to building successful careers, women have proved that strength and resilience are deeply rooted in their nature. Financial independence has become a significant milestone for many women today, bringing with it confidence, dignity, and the freedom to shape one’s own destiny. However, along with growth has come another silent challenge — the tendency to constantly observe, compare, and sometimes even compete with the journeys of others. But a crucial question arises: Is it necessary to track the growth of others in order to grow ourselves? From my personal experience of more than two decades as an entrepreneur, I have realised something very powerful — true growth begins the moment we stop looking sideways and start looking within. A Small Beginning I had a flourishing career of teaching abroad, but when I restarted my career after moving back to India, my beginning was extremely small. My very first assignment was a simple home tuition for a single student, and the amount I earned was meagre. There was nothing glamorous about it. No recognition, no large batches, no big earnings. Just one student and one opportunity. But instead of worrying about how others were doing, how many students they had, or how much they were earning, I made a conscious decision—my only focus would be on improving myself. I focused on teaching better, preparing better, and becoming more disciplined and consistent. And slowly, without even realising it, things began to grow. One student became two, two became a small group, and gradually, over the years, the work expanded beyond what I had initially imagined. Looking back today, I can confidently say that the growth did not happen because I competed with others. It happened because I competed with myself yesterday. Comparison Creates Noise When we keep watching others' journeys too closely, we unknowingly divert our own energy. Comparison creates unnecessary noise in our minds. It brings doubts, insecurities, and sometimes even negativity. Instead of walking our own path with clarity, we start questioning our speed, our direction, and our worth. True success grows through focus, not comparison. Every woman has her own story, her own pace, and her own struggles that others may never see. The path of one person can never be identical to another's. So comparing journeys is like comparing two different rivers flowing towards the same ocean — each with its own route, its own curves, and its own rhythm. As women, we already carry many responsibilities. We balance emotions, relationships, work, and society's expectations. In such a life, the last thing we need is the burden of comparison with one another. Instead, what we truly need is support for each other. When women encourage women, something extraordinary happens. Confidence grows. Opportunities multiply. Strength becomes collective rather than individual. There is enough space in the world for every woman to create her own identity. Each of us can build our own niche without stepping on someone else's path. Choose Encouragement Envy weakens us, but encouragement empowers us. Rather than questioning how someone else is progressing, we can ask a more meaningful question: "How can I grow a little better than I was yesterday?" Lift As You Rise Today, after twenty years of experience, the most valuable lesson I have learned is simple yet profound — focus on your own work with honesty and dedication, and success will quietly follow you. We, women, are capable, resilient, and creative. We do not need to pull each other down or compete in unhealthy ways. Instead, we can lift each other up while building our own dreams. Because when one woman rises, she does not rise alone. She inspires many others to believe that they can rise, too. And perhaps that is the most beautiful form of success. (The writer is a tutor based in Thane. Views personal.)

Know Your Plastics: Understand the 7 RIC

All plastics come from resin, but they’re far from equal. Your guide is the small number stamped on the product.

Dear Reader, in my last article, I mentioned the seven Resin Identification Codes—the small but significant numbers printed on most plastic products. Today, let us decode this simple yet powerful system that quietly governs nearly every plastic item we use, guiding how it should be handled, reused, or recycled. Understanding these codes is the first step towards making informed and responsible choices in our daily lives.


We already know that the plastic products we use every day are made from a wide range of chemical compositions. Because of this diversity, it becomes essential to understand how these items should be disposed of at the end of their useful life—especially if we want to minimise harm to the environment.


To address this need for clarity, the Society of Plastics Industry introduced a coding system in 1988 known as the Resin Identification Code (RIC). This system was created to identify the specific type of chemical each plastic product is made from, helping consumers and waste managers handle plastics more responsibly. The coding method was later standardised by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), ensuring uniformity in how plastics are labelled across industries.


Under this system, plastics are assigned numbers from 1 to 7, each representing a different type of resin based on the material’s structure and chemical composition. In India, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has also adopted this system, making it easier to classify and manage plastics nationwide.


Since not all plastics can be recycled, the RIC plays a crucial role in distinguishing which types are easily recyclable and which are not. Plastics that cannot be recycled often require specialised handling or treatment before disposal, helping prevent environmental contamination. The code also helps identify high-quality recyclable materials, encouraging better recycling practices and reducing our dependence on virgin plastic.


Today, many environmentally conscious consumers instinctively look for these markings on bottles, containers, and packaging to check whether a product is recyclable or safe for reuse.


With this understanding in place, let us take a closer look at what each of these seven numbers actually means.


This number indicates that the product is made from polyethylene terephthalate, commonly known as PET. It is one of the most familiar plastics in our daily lives. You will typically find this code embossed on beverage bottles used for water, soft drinks, and juices, as well as on various food containers and bottles for cooking oil, household cleaners, and similar liquids.


The composition of PET is such that oxygen cannot easily enter the container, which helps keep the contents fresh and prevents spoilage. Beyond bottles, PET is also widely used in textile applications. Polyester fabrics used in clothing, upholstery, cushions, and even non-woven items like carpets are often made from PET fibres.


Recycling Process

PET is valued for its relatively simple recycling process, making it the most widely recycled plastic in the world. During recycling, it can be transformed into new bottles, packaging materials, or textile fibres. At times, you may notice the letters 'rPET' embossed on a product—this indicates that the item itself has been made from recycled PET, giving old plastic a new life and reducing the need for fresh raw material.


Now, take a look at the bottom of a shampoo bottle, a skin moisturiser bottle, or even a hand-wash container. Many of these everyday household products are made from high-density polyethylene, commonly known as HDPE, which is identified by code 2 in the Resin Identification System.


Like PET, HDPE is one of the most widely recycled plastics in the world. Its strength, durability, and resistance to chemicals make it suitable for a wide range of applications. Apart from personal-care bottles, HDPE is used to make milk containers, detergent bottles, trash cans, laundry baskets, outdoor furniture, and playground equipment. It is also a preferred material for water and gas pipes, thanks to its ability to withstand pressure and harsh environmental conditions.


HDPE’s versatility extends from food-grade containers to industrial piping and automotive parts, making it an essential material in both domestic and commercial products. Just like PET, HDPE is highly recyclable and is widely accepted in most recycling programmes, contributing significantly to efforts aimed at reducing plastic waste.


We will continue exploring the remaining numbers next week. Until then, have a wonderful weekend!


(The author is an environmentalist. Views personal.)

 
 
 

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